Threat of ND dam failure may be easing

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- The threat of a dam failure on a river near a northeastern North Dakota city appears to be easing, and officials expect to decide soon on when 1,300 evacuated residents can return to their homes.

Pembina County Emergency Manager Andrew Kirking says the level of the water behind Renwick Dam on the Tongue River has been dropping since mid-day Wednesday. He says there's still a threat that the dam near Cavalier could be overwhelmed by runoff from five days of heavy rain but that ``the situation is improving.''

Officials are meeting Thursday morning and hope to set a time when the 1,300 residents of Cavalier who were evacuated Tuesday night can return home.

Steady rainfall between Friday and Tuesday dumped about 9 inches of rain on parts of Pembina County.