Historic Flood Impacts Mallard Island and Buildings
June 15, 2022
After heavy snowfall levels late winter followed by a late ice out this spring, the Rainy Lake area experienced flooding levels that exceeded both the 2014 flood and the 1950 flood. Once the ice was out, the Ober Foundation got volunteers on Mallard right away to begin flood mitigation efforts.
The first family to help were the Rundells. They spent a weekend preparing Cedarbark House and other areas that would be impacted first by the rising waters. The Thrune family came in next and continued mitigation efforts as waters rose. Rebecca Otto, Executive Director, and Mairi Doerr, Summer Program Director joined the Thrunes and continued mitigation efforts. A big focus was saving the foundation’s book collection, which was threatened by the rising waters. We had to shut off the power for about a week and a half. A slimmed down version of our carpentry work week crew continued on flood mitigation. They were able to finish moving the book collection and restore a small amount of power to Mallard.
Mallard’s topography does not make it conducive to sand bagging, so our approach has been mitigation, monitoring, followed by more mitigation. Volunteer and staff safety has been key. We have been taking this flood one-day-at-a-time. Each day brings something new.
It appears lake levels have finally peaked, and we may be on the decline from here on out. At this point, the only dry buildings on Mallard are Big House, Winter House, Bird House and the Tool Shed. Weather has been relatively calm and and we have had some sunshine, but that changed over the last few days. An east wind was blowing today, which is hard on Cedarbark House and Front House. Cedarbark House has taken on so much water that waves can potentially be quite damaging.
Dan Kraker from MPR did a very good story on the flood, the historic significance of Mallard Island, and about Ober’s wilderness legacy. To hear the story, please click MPR story
Jana Hollingsworth from the Star Tribune also did a story on the flooding and Mallard Island. If you have a subscription, please click Star Tribune
Sabrina Ullman from WDIO did a nice job on a story early on about the flooding at Mallard. To view the story, please click: WDIO
What Next?
It will be some time before the water levels return to normal. Once they do, we know there will be substantial clean up work followed by repairs.
How Can You Help?
Mallard Island and the Ober Foundation have survived and thrived over the decades with the help of volunteer labor and financial donations from our supporters. We know we will need both to weather this storm plus some new friends.
If you you are able and willing to volunteer with clean up efforts, when clean up is possible, please let us know by emailing Rebecca at info@eober.org
If you can make a financial donation, or know someone else who may be able to, it would be meaningful for the foundation. Please click on: www.eober.org/donate
We will be seeking grants to help with the work and expenses ahead. If you are a skilled grant writer and are willing to assist the foundation, please let Rebecca know by emailing or calling her.
You can view photos, videos and track the status of Mallard and the lake levels on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ErnOber
Together, we will make it through this!
