Red River Flood Watch - Day 1 Flood Stage

Posted by Alexandra Matiella Novak Mar 23, 2009

We just got back to Grand Forks after a great Spring Break in lower Michigan and Wisconsin and are very glad we decided to get flood insurance.

Our flood insurance went into effect yesterday, March 22. As of 7 a.m. on Monday, March 23, the Red River level is at 31.16 feet - about four feet above action stage. The National Weather Service has released a forecast that the Red River will crest to about 51 feet my next Monday, March 30. The flood wall going through Downtown Grand Forks and Downtown East Grand Forks, MN, is designed to hold a river level of 60 feet. After that, we'll see.

Living literally right across the street from the flood wall in Downtown Grand Forks has made this an interesting experience. For example, the open gateway that gave us access to the Grand Forks Greenway bike paths and parks along the Red River is now closed off - we have to walk our dog on the dry side of the wall now. Planks have been dropped into railings along the gate to seal off the wall in this location. It's obvious going around town that both Grand Cities are preparing for a flood.

Upstream, in Fargo, they are already experiencing moderate flooding and sand bag operations are currently taking place. The National Weather Service forecast for Fargo is not good - the Red River will crest to or slightly above the record crests this city experienced in 1997, when the Red River Valley last experienced major flooding.

Needless to say, I'm really comfortable with our decision to get flood insurance. I realize that the flood wall will do a very good job of holding back the Red River, but that's only a 60 foot protection plan. What about after that? I've been reading about natural hazard response and recovery for the last decade, and getting extra protection is always a good idea, no matter how much control over Mother Nature you think you have.

Picture Captions:

1. River observations from the National Weather Service for North Dakota. Notice how the observations get more hazardous as you follow the Red River upstream. The observations downstream are getting increasingly hazardous as the days go by. A few days ago Grand Forks was green (No Flooding).
2. An opening through the flood wall to gain access to the bike paths and parks along the Red River. It is currently being boarded up for flood preparation.
3. Flood mitigation efforts in Downtown East Grand Forks, Minnesota.
4. The Red River within feet of the Grand Forks Greenway bike path. Notice the submerged trees along the banks of the river.

I will be updating this blog periodically as the Red River flood forecast progresses.