Sheldon, Iowa — After almost 34 years, Sheldon’s water system is finally connected to the Lewis & Clark system.
Lewis & Clark officials tell us Sheldon has 1.3 million gallons a day of reserved capacity from Lewis & Clark. A ribbon-cutting celebration is being planned for the spring.
What became the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System was discussed as early as the late 1980s, and was incorporated in January of 1990. It wasn’t authorized by Congress until July of 2000. The first water started flowing over eleven years ago in July of 2012, but funding was slow to come in. Eventually, more and more member systems were connected. Sheldon’s water system is the 18th of 20 systems in Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota to be connected.
Sheldon Mayor Greg Geels tells us his feelings on the connection to Lewis & Clark.
He tells us about some of the benefits to having Lewis & Clark water.
Lewis & Clark Executive Director Troy Larson says it’s a big day.
He tells us there are many benefits, both tangible and intangible.
Murray Hulstein, Lewis & Clark’s Chairman and Sioux Center’s Utilities Manager, says, “A heartfelt congratulations to our good friends and neighbors in Sheldon on finally being connected to the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System! All good things are worth the wait and that is certainly true of the water that is now flowing to Sheldon. Sioux Center was connected in April 2023 and I know firsthand what a fabulous asset and blessing it has been for our community. The same will be true for Sheldon. I applaud all of Sheldon’s elected leaders and staff who have played a role through the years in helping to make this dream a reality. It took a tremendous amount of vision, faith, determination and perseverance. Well done!”
Rock Rapids, Sioux Center, and Hull have been connected to the system one by one over the last five years. Two systems are left to connect — Sibley, Iowa and Madison, South Dakota. It is anticipated that Madison will be connected by mid-2024 and Sibley in the spring or summer of 2025.
