For many clean-up from this spring's flooding is far from over.

Tonight Ag. Reporter Sarah Gustin takes us along the Cannonball River where some ranchers are getting a little extra help putting the pieces back together.

"Digging holes

Tamping posts Cutting wire. It doesn't sound like much fun let alone your summer vacation

(Emily Kennell / Illinois Volunteer) "I thought it wasn't all that much of a vacation to work on fences." spinning wire Stretching wires is a far cry from Disney World

But for these 2 Illinois families their week long get-away is helping flooded ranchers rebuild

(Aaron Beyer / Illinois Volunteer) "At our church we were looking for a mission project, and this is one that was brought up to us. Actually we were headed to Texas about 2 weeks ago with the fences that were taken out down there with the hurricanes, and with the drought, they were more concerned about what was going on with the cattle, getting water than their fences, and this was available, so we said, "sure we will come up." The damage these wires and posts endured this spring was more than 1 man could fix

(Allen Rivinius / Cannonball Rancher) "Anything where the water went, the first time the ice took it out, the second time we got flooded twice, so the second time the silt came in and covered eveything. So most of the fences are either covered and wrapped around the trees or they under neath the debris. Some of them are 3 feet underneath debris." Rivinius's (RA-VIN-E-US) says he has 2 and a half miles of fence to repair, another mile and a half to rebuild

He estimates his fence damage totals more than 7-thousand dollars

(Allen Rivinius / Cannonball Rancher) This flood here was about 2/12 feet higher than 97, so we did not expect it and we didn't expect the two of them. that was probably the biggest shock for us we were already cleaning up after the first one and then the second one hit us. (Aaron Beyer / Illinois Volunteer) "In times past I have had a need and I have had people help me out and I think it is just part of our nature to want to help other people too. People that haven't had people help them can still help." It's generosity like that

truck goes through water That is causing a flood of emotions

(Donna Weishaar / Cedar River Rancher) "It was awesome. Let me put it that way. It was like a whole heavy load went off my shoulders when I realized that there were actually people out there that could help you out." (Allen Rivinius / Cannonball Rancher) "It's awesome, one of the fellas out here it is his one week of vacation all year and this is where he is spending it." (Aaron Beyer / Illinois Volunteer) "I like working. It don't matter what the work is." It's not easy straighting up the post but maybe helping someone in need does qualify as a fun way to end your summer vacation

(Emily Kennell / Illinois Volunteer) "Emily what do you think about being out here in North Dakota building fence? It's fun. It's ok, it's nice." green truck driving off Southeast of Elgin for KX news, I am Sarah Gustin."


The seven volunteered with the Lutheran Disaster Response Hands Across North Dakota program.

So far 21 counties in the state have been identified as needing help repairing and rebuilding fences. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list