Lake Region Search & Rescue Team Needs New Home

Sorry, this video is no longer available

The Lake Region Search and Rescue Team in Devils Lake needs help.

The building they used to operate out of recently shut down and they’re looking for a new home.

Bruce Henry is a fishing guide in Devils Lake and spends much of his time on the water.

“Even though the fishing season is winding down now, a new season is going to gear up and that’s the ice season,” Henry says.

He and his close friend have witnessed the water level rising for decades. It even caused them to lose their property.

“When I built the house, it was 24 feet above the lake level and now where my house was it’s about six feet under the lake levels,” says Lyle Dykhoff of Devils Lake.

To put things into perspective, near Devils Lake the water is at a record high elevation of 1,454 feet. But at the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center, it’s almost 30 feet lower than that at 1,432 feet.

Due to the rapid increase in water levels, the Lake Region Search and Rescue Team is a vital part of the community.

“They get called out approximately two times a month,” says Ramsey County Sheriff Steve Nelson.

For the past ten years, this building was home to the organization, storing all of its sensitive equipment.

“The roof has been condemned. It’s unsafe to be in,” Nelson says.

Now, the 12 members need to find a new home base and are trying to raise $400,000 to $500,000.

“They survive on donations which is about $15,000-20,000 a year. It doesn’t leave a lot of room to buy infrastructure,” Nelson explains.

In the meantime, the search and rescue team is storing equipment at multiple locations.

“When you have to go to one building to get your dive gear and then go to another building to get your vehicle or boat, yes it absolutely does slow it down,” says Nelson.

While the response time is lower, the water level is only getting higher.

“This year alone I’ve seen a couple of accidents,” Henry says.

The Lake Region Search and Rescue Team hopes to have a new facility built before next winter.

A location has not been decided on.