Watertown to Join Multi-Agency Agreement on Flood Study Preservation
- Steve Jurrens
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - As part of the ongoing Watertown General Investigation Study, the City Council will consider a motion tomorrow night, March 16, 2026, to authorize City Manager Alan Stager to sign a critical Programmatic Agreement (PA) regarding the protection of cultural and historic artifacts.
The agreement is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation.
Protecting History During Flood Mitigation
The USACE is currently evaluating several alternatives to reduce flood risk in the Watertown area, including:
· Infrastructure: Installing levees and flood walls along the Big Sioux River.
· Channel Work: Widening portions of the river to increase water flow.
· Lake Management: Forecasted weir operations at Lake Kampeska.
· Nonstructural Measures: Floodproofing or raising existing structures.
Because these activities involve significant ground disturbance, the Programmatic Agreement establishes a formal process to identify, evaluate, and protect any historic properties or cultural artifacts discovered during the project.
Key Stipulations of the Agreement
The PA outlines strict protocols for handling sensitive discoveries:
· Discovery Protocol: If cultural resources are found during construction, all work within 100 feet must cease immediately.
· Human Remains: In the event of an unanticipated discovery of human remains, USACE must notify law enforcement and tribal partners within 24 hours.
· Professional Standards: All archaeological and architectural surveys must be conducted by professionals meeting Secretary of the Interior standards.
· Confidentiality: The USACE is committed to safeguarding the location and nature of sites with religious or cultural significance to Indian Tribes.
Financial and Oversight Details
City Manager Alan Stager noted in the agenda materials that signing this agreement serves as a procedural step for the City as an “Invited Signatory” and does not commit the City to any financial obligations at this time.
City Engineer Justin Petersen will provide oversight for the project’s responsibilities moving forward.
