Natural Resources Department Prepping for Floods

By Kellen Backbone, Reporter

Recent inclement weather has caused many residences on the Crow Reservation to flood. Snow-melt and run off have been blamed for flooding basements and foundations. There have been no major damages to homes and the other reports of flooding have been managed.

An incident command post was dispatched for prevention purposes by the Natural Resources Department.

“We dispatched an Incident Command Post out in case they needed it,” stated Natural Resources Officer Bill Snell.

The Natural Resources Department stated that this is a prevention method and are preparing for the spring runoff.

Homes in the country are the department’s biggest concern, generally the houses are next to fields with built up snow. The weather plays a key role to the future plans of the Natural Resources Department.

To prevent flooding in your home, Snell said, consider sand bagging and clearing culverts, trenches and other natural wash-outs to maintain a study flow of water runoff.

Coming Soon: The New and Improved Crow Merc

By Vincent Black Hawk, Reporter

Crow Mercantile will open its new building in June, said Ed Watt, half owner of the business.

“I think it’s time Crow got a new Crow Merc,” Watt said. He added the current building is just too small.

The new building will be nearly four times bigger than the old building, which was built in 1920s.

“It’ll be basically the same produce we sell, just lots more,” Watt said.

He added that there will be more meat and frozen produce, and an expanded deli.

Watt, who owns the business with his brother Jim, will also be expanding their workforce. He said they are not sure how many new employees they will hire, it depends on the business they get.

The Watts have been working on getting a larger building for 10 years. They are not sure what they will be doing with the Crow Merc after they move into the new facility.

Watt said construction was slowed due to resent snow.

Photos by Kellen Backbone