Pierre Mayor Says Levees and Pumps Working Well

     PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Pierre Mayor Laurie Gill says heavy rains
have caused minor erosion of flood-protection levees in South
Dakota's capital city, but crews have moved quickly to reinforce
those spots.
     Gill says the levees appear to be stable.
     The Pierre and Fort Pierre area has received 4 inches or more of
rain since Sunday night. Because storm drains are plugged to
prevent water from the Missouri River from entering the two cities,
large pumps are being used to pump rainwater over the levees into
the river.
     Gill says some water sometimes pools in low-lying spots on
streets, but the pumps catch up and clear away the water when the
rain slackens.
     The levees were built to protect Pierre and Fort Pierre from
rising water caused by record releases from Missouri River dams.