Flooding

Red River Flood to Flood Finished

It is a few weeks from the promised date, but here is the updated time laps of the Grand Forks Red River flood to flood video.

In all likelihood I will keep adding to this video year after year.

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Minnewaukan’s Dike to Nowhere

I once attended a talk where the speaker posed a rhetorical question “What is it about water that makes people so stupid?”.  The question certainly seems to hold true.  In Texas we see continued use of water for irrigation when cities do not have enough for the people who live there; in Nevada we see the continued expansion of Las Vegas which is totally dependent on a very limited supply; in California we see sprawling cities steal entire rivers for their continued growth, and along nearly all major rivers we see continued development of areas that are known flood plains.

Whether an area be too wet or to dry people seem to make poor decisions regarding water, and they never seem to understand the scope of the problem.  Last weekend the people of Minnewaukan, ND managed to prove that small towns are not exempt from the poor decision making process. In the middle of Main Street sat this sign.

Sandbagging Party

Typically, I’m quick to lend a helping hand to those who need it, but in this case the area protected is totally useless, and the party was likely nothing more than an attempt at a publicity stunt. I know I’m being harsh, and I do not mean to belittle the hard work that went into the project.  Sandbagging helps a community bond and grow stronger. However, I choose not to help because I did not believe in the cause.  Hopefully better decisions will be made in the future.

What made this project a bad plan:

• The intersection protected is rarely used, and is in no way vital to travel within the town.
• Water currently does not threaten the intersection, and it will likely take over a month before it could cause a travel issue.
• The threat is a lake not a river. Sandbags have lifespan and once they get wet is rather short.  The bags will likely be rotten by the time the water reaches them. (Do NOT use a short term solution for a long term problem)
• The dike is in a low area, and a pipe was run through it in order to drain the street runoff which will likely cause some significant leak problems once the water comes up. Obviously the pipe will be plugged, however, it creates a structural flaw in the dike.  (Don’t put your finger in the dike)
• The minimum 2 to 1 width to height ratio was not  followed. The tall section of the dike is somewhat under built while the low section was over built.

The 900 bag requirement stated on the sign was off by more than four fold. All told more than 4000 bags where filled, although, not all of them were used.  Prices for sandbags range between 17 and 25 cents a bag which means that this dike could costs upwards of $1,000 just for the bags. It appeared that approximately 30 people helped out, and several vehicles and trailers were utilized which likely brings the actual cost up a few hundred dollars.  In a normal situation this is just drops in a bucket, but for a city that is already broke it is not a good way to be spending money.

Sandbagging to nowhere looking west

Sandbagging to nowhere looking east

Sandbagging to nowhere looking north

Residents of Minnewaukan: I wish you the best of luck in the coming months, but please make it a point to use tax dollars and time wisely. Don’t simply agree to something because other people are.  The people currently in charge of the city seem to lack common sense so make it a point to question what they do.

Special Note: It has come to my attention that the city would like to move the water tower which would cost about a half million dollars.  City officials: Please think things through there has got to be a more affective alternative than moving the water tower. The structure is likely safe for this year anyway, and there are more pressing issues at hand.  Just because the government may give you the money to do it doesn’t mean that it is the right thing to do.

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Red River Flood Pictures

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Grand Forks: Flood Related Updates 2010

GRAND FORKS (AP) — Two bridges connecting Grand Forks with East Grand Forks, Minn., are being closed as the Red River continues to rise.

The Point and Sorlie bridges are to close Thursday (March 18 2010). The National Weather Service is predicting a river crest in the cities at between 47 and 49 feet early next week, which would make the approaches to the bridges impassable.

Motorists still will be able to cross the Kennedy Bridge.

The Greenway along the river also is being closed to the public. The closure includes two city parks and a dog park.

Original article here

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It sort of irritates me that the city close the Greenway every time the water comes up now.  Last year it was understandable, because it was easy to slide down the dike walls into the water, but this year most of the snow will be gone by Thursday.  If people are not doing something dumb they should be able to walk where they want.

We’ll see I might change my mind if the water gets as high as it did last year, but it still kind of stupid that the police  can ticket you for taking pictures.

Update 1 March 17 11:22 AM:

The University of North Dakota has activated the UND Flood Center web site to help inform the University community about flood-related information.  You can find the site at http://www.conted.und.edu/flood/.  There also is a link to the site on the UND Emergency Preparedness site at http://www.und.edu/preparedness/.

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Red River Flooding 2010

Useful Links:
Eastern North Dakota River Gauges

Fargo Specific River Gauge

Fargo Sandbagging Info

Moorhead Flood Information

Know how to sandbag: Information and instructional videos. (Look at the lower left side ) How to build a proper sandbag dike. How to not screw up your back while sandbagging. Other links provided on this page will help keep you safe during the flood, prep for the flood, and repair your property if you do have water damage.

http://www.wday.com/pages/AM970Radio basically up the minute information.  Listen to help figure out who to call and where to go.

Phone Numbers:

General volunteer information for the Fargo-Moorhead area contact FirstLink at 701.476.4000

Property questions in Fargo
701-241-1545
Moorhead Information Line
218-299-5390
Moorhead / Clay County Evacuation Hotline
218-477-4747
West Fargo Hotline
701-433-5400
Cass County Flood Info
701-298-2370

Other Blogs With Red River Flood Information:

A blog dedicated to Fargo Flooding. Has one of the best Fargo river webcams, and lots of Fargo specific information.

http://redriverflood.ning.com/ Videos, pictures, and forum

Red River Flooding Web Cams:
Fargo Flood Cams:

I94 Bridge Cam 8 photos per 15 min

Grand Forks Flood Cams:

Click HERE to view the Herald’s Web-cam

Updated Three times a day.  http://nd.water.usgs.gov/floodinfo/

River Data:

Red River Measurements at Wahpeton, ND

Red River Measurements at Fargo, ND

Red River Measurements at Grand Forks, ND

Red River Measurements at Drayton, ND

This post is updated as the spring events unfold.

Original Post:
Since I’m doing a post for Devils Lake I may as well do one for the Red River Valley.   I have a feeling flooding could dominate my free time in the spring.  It is seems likely that I will be volunteering for sandbagging in the spring, and after the river flooding subsides I’ll need to go help my dad pull old machinery out of the low areas near Devils Lake. My parents have a junk row that will probably go under in the spring if it isn’t moved.

As things stand right now it the Red River Valley can expect similar flooding to the flooding we saw in the spring of 2009.  There is significantly more snow on the ground than last year, but the ground did have a little time to try out in the fall.  The severity of the flooding will obviously depend on how much more snow we get, and how quickly it melts.

Update 1:  March 8 2010
It looks like we could get up to three quarters of an inch of rain this week. It will be interesting to see if the rain triggers any short lived havoc in the area. In reality the rain may be a blessing in because it might partially melt the snow pack. Some water will be released slowly into the rivers rather than rapidly in a quick thaw.

Good or bad?

Really, I do not expect anything crazy to happen for about a month, but I it is always possible things could start happening quickly.

If you happened to forget what things looked like last year….

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/red_river_flooding.html

Update 2:  March 10 2010

Doppler radar is indicating that an area North East of Grand Forks has received more than two inches of rain.  It is hard to say whether or not the data is accurate, but if it is you should be able to see in the results in the river level and temperature in Drayton, ND.  I will check tomorrow to see if anything is happening.

The weather forecast looks quiet after Friday or Saturday this week which may actually be a bad thing because long range forecast for next week are sunny with highs in the 40s.  The rain will likely melt the snow pack to the point of being able to see some black dirt in the fields.  Once the white snow cover is broken up there is a positive feedback affect that causes the snow to melt faster because black dirt absorbs much more of the solar energy than snow.

Cold nights should help slow the melting process, but it is possible that by the end of next week things could start to get interesting in the Southern Red River Valley.

Update #3  March 11 2010

It sounds like the Red River will reach flood stage in both Fargo and Wahpeton by Monday. Oh Joy…

It looks like the storm may have finally lost the ability to pull moisture in from the Gulf of Mexico.

Updated water vapor loop for the last 12 hours

Update #4  March 12 2010

Water temp had moved just above freezing so whatever ice is left in the river in Fargo will soon break up.  Down Stream can expect the same.

Water Temperature in Fargo, ND

Update # 5 March 14

If you live in the Northern Valley Crookston could use some  sandbaggers tomorrow.

Here is the release from the city this afternoon:

The City of Crookston is requesting volunteers to sandbag in Ward One-Sampson’s Addition.

Anyone wanting to help must report to the ward one command post at Oak Court, located at 110 Sargent Street, and be directed to the proper location from there. Volunteers should dress in layers, bring gloves, and wear appropriate footwear for muddy conditions.  Your assistance in helping protect our community is greatly appreciated!

CONTACT NUMBER:   Ward One Command Post- 218-281-6214

Update # 6 March 16

Just listened to the morning meeting for the Fargo area.  Things actually sound pretty good.   They still need volunteers, but they think they will hit their mark for sandbag numbers.

http://www.wday.com/pages/AM970Radio

The phone number given for flood information in the Fargo area is 297-6000.  I’m pretty sure that is the number to call if you need sandbags or help protecting your property.  Even if it’s not they will have the information you need.

Main media outlets are now doing a very good job of keeping people up to date for the larger cities.  Some small towns still aren’t getting the attention they should, but that is sort of how things work out.

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