Mar 15, 2009 5:29 pm US/Central
Red River Valley Discuss Flood Plans
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) ―
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Ballfield flooded by rising Red River, Fargo, North Dakota. (File)
AP
As Red River Valley communities prepare sandbags and supplies for spring flooding, forecasters are warning they could face another significant storm.
National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Frazier said a major storm system tapping into moisture from the Indian Ocean is expected to hit the Northern Plains late this week. Forecasters are still determining its track and whether it will be rain or snow, he said.
At a meeting Saturday to discuss flood preparations, Frazier said the weather service expects the southern Red River Valley to "come into flood" between March 27 and March 31, and the northern valley to reach that stage from April 11 to April 14.
The Saturday meetings in Fargo and Grand Forks were convened by Sen. Byron Dorgan, who was joined by Gov. John Hoeven, Rep. Earl Pomeroy, and local and state officials.
"One of the things we're going to learn this spring is what does $300 million buy," Pomeroy said, referring to Grand Forks' big dike system, built after the Red River ravaged the city in 1997.
"We're confident," Grand Forks City Engineer Al Grasser said.
Forecasters said the northern Red River Valley has less snow than in 1997, but the fall rains were greater and the ground is more saturated. They said the southern portion of the valley has much more snow.
Fargo has "almost a certain chance of major flooding," said Scott Dummer, who heads the weather service's north central office. He said it appears the area has a 1 in 3 chance of flooding exceeding the 39.5 feet recorded in 1997.
Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker has been seeking money to finish a $161 million southside dike project. He said Fargo has a hard time fighting floods in "the bottom of the bathtub."
Hoeven said the state is committed to providing $75 million for the project, with $45 million during the current two-year budget cycle, and $30 million in the next.
Dorgan said the Army Corps of Engineers has $25 billion to spend on flood control measures over the next few years.
"I'm determined to be sure there's money for significant flood control" in Fargo, Dorgan said.
Other cities also worry about the cost of the flooding.
If current forecasts hold up, Grafton is looking at a $1 million flood fight, Mayor Todd Burianek said.
Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, the commander of the North Dakota National Guard, said 750 Guard members have answered a call for volunteers and "have said that if we need them, they'll be available in a minute's notice."
He said the Guard has bulldozers, loaders, pumps, water purification systems and other gear ready to help.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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