Crews pumping water out of the Sanford Underground Laboratory in Lead will do a balancing act for the next few weeks.

The current system of submersible pumps can't pump below 5,200 feet under ground. The water level this week was 5,022 feet below the surface.

A deep-water pumping system that will reach to 8,000 feet will be installed by early January.

Until then, lab officials say crews will try to keep pumping out enough water to keep it from rising but not so much that the submersible pumps are uncovered.

One lab is being planned at the 4,850-foot level. A second is being proposed at 8,000 feet.