Damage apparently caused by a broken storm sewer has forced the closure of a section of South Seventh Street.

The problem identified Thursday morning prompted the Fort Dodge Public Works Department to close the street between Fourth Avenue South and Meriwether Drive. It will remain closed until further notice.

“It appears we have a storm sewer failure that has caused multiple holes in the street,” City Manager David Fierke said.

He said the extent of the problem is still being assessed. That assessment is complicated by the fact that the storm sewer is 16 feet below the ground, he added.

He said the problem is not the result of the reconstruction of the westbound lanes of the Kenyon Road Bridge, which is going on not far from Seventh Street and Meriwether Drive.

Fierke said repairs will be made this year.

“We’re going to do it as quickly as possible,” he said.

Because of the depth of the storm sewer, it will have to be determined if the Public Works Department can safely do the repairs or if a contractor with more specialized equipment will be needed, according to Fierke.