Spring flooding in Minnesota

It's springtime in Minnesota, which means the snow is melting and all eyes are on the rivers. MPR News reporters are following flood threats across the state. | River forecasts | Road closures | How are you preparing?

Rising waters on a lake

Dry weather aids ongoing flood fight in northern Minnesota

June 7, 2022 12:09 PM

There's finally a little good news in the fight against rising floodwaters in northern Minnesota along the Canadian border. While Rainy Lake is still rising, recent dry weather has slowed the pace heading toward a forecast peak later this month.

A wide river flows off into the distance.

Bird's eye view essential to figuring flood risk

February 17, 2020 4:00 AM

NOAA pilots are measuring the snow pack in Minnesota to help flood forecasters determine the risk for high water in the spring.

Gas cans and other debris float in floodwaters

Border restrictions keep flooded cabin and resort owners away from their properties

May 24, 2022 1:45 PM

Dozens of cabin and resort owners with property on the Canadian side of northern Minnesota’s Sand Point and Namakan lakes can’t legally access their properties to try to protect them from ongoing flooding, because of restrictions on crossing the international border.

Throwing sandbags

Preparing for a flood? Here's some sandbagging 101

March 20, 2019 4:11 PM

By MPR News Staff

There's plenty of flooding in the forecast for Minnesota and the rest of the Midwest. Here are some basic tips on how to prepare a sandbag dike.

Line of volunteers and sandbags

Rising waters cause concern in northern Minnesota

April 23, 2022 3:31 PM

By Samuel King and Jon Collins

Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency Sunday in response to flooding in northwestern Minnesota. Officials in several local communities, including Crookston, had already declared local emergencies.

A massive ice jam clogs up the Minnesota River near Seven Mile Creek Park.

Ice jams: Destructive, hard to predict, tough to prevent

March 26, 2019 4:00 AM

By Kirsti Marohn

They're unpredictable; they're tough to address; and they can have significant impacts. As ice on rivers and creeks melts, cracks and otherwise breaks up, it can build up against natural bends in the waterway or structures -- like bridges or piers -- jutting into it as the water flows downstream.

Red River Diversion

Consortium, loan announced for Fargo flood project

June 18, 2021 5:13 PM

By The Associated Press

A $2.75 billion project aimed at protecting Fargo, N.D. and Moorhead, Minn., from chronic flooding is gaining ground. It's getting a $569 million loan from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Two construction workers work on a structure.

Fargo-Moorhead diversion project construction picks up pace

May 26, 2021 1:34 PM

By Dan Gunderson

It will take six more years of work to complete the massive project, which will divert water around the Fargo-Moorhead area when the river floods.

Floodwall construction in Fargo, N.D.

Agreement signed to end Fargo-Moorhead flood project dispute

October 27, 2020 10:20 AM

By Dan Gunderson

A settlement agreement signed Monday will end existing litigation that has slowed the nearly $3 billion Fargo-Moorhead flood diversion project.

Floodwall construction in Fargo, N.D.

Legal settlement in the works for Fargo-Moorhead flood project

October 24, 2020 7:44 AM

By Dan Gunderson

The settlement would end years of legal wrangling over a massive Red River flood protection project for the Fargo-Moorhead area.