BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A number of landowners near the west-end outlet of Devils Lake say the outlet is leaking. And they may have to take the state Water Commission to court. The landowners say leaks were first detected shortly after the outlet became operational, in 2007.

Attorney Bruce Gibbons of Cando represents some of the landowners. He told the Water Commission the landowners hired Western Plains Consulting of Bismarck to determine if there are leaks – and the study came back positive.

One of the affected landowners is Republican State Representative Dennis Johnson. He told the Water Commission he can’t work some of his land because it’s too wet – and he finds it frustrating.

Gibbons told the Commission the landowners are hoping to reach an out of court settlement and avoid legal action.

State engineer Garland Erbele declined comment, because of the possibility of a lawsuit. The Water Commission will take up the matter at its August meeting.