Canada and the United States have agreed to design a filter system to keep foreign organisms out of Canadian waterways after the Devils Lake water diversion.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reports that as the pact was announced Friday water from North Dakota was already flowing into Canada's Red River system.
North Dakota State Engineer Dale Frink told the CBC his staff had begun testing the pumps in the flood control project, although work halted for the weekend.
"We do have water in the canal, and the water is flowing toward the Sheyenne River," he said.
Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said the agreement on filtration should work. North Dakota has begun installing a temporary filter that will remove fish, fish eggs and plants from the water.
A permanent filter, to be designed over the next year, could cost as much as $20 million Canadian ($16.5 million U.S.). Canada may have to share the cost.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
