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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) High water lowered sulfate levels dramatically in the Sheyenne River from 750 to about 200 parts per million due in part to shutdown of Devils Lake outlets.

Valley City Commissioner Madaline Luke says the better water quality is great but the window of opportunity to use the outlets to lower Devils Lake is narrower with every passing day due to high water levels.

The State Water Commission will not run the Devils Lake outlets with high water levels on the Sheyenne River caused by heavy rains last month.

The National Weather Service says there’s a 50 percent chance Devils Lake will reach its record elevation this year of slightly more than 1454 feet. Last year dry conditions and two outlets helped lower the lake by 3 feet.