Remembering the record Flood 2009

Here is the National Weather Service hydrograph tracing the rise of the Red River

On March 26th I wrote the following in an Updraft blog regarding the crest of the Red River at Fargo....

"While I have been focusing on the Red River hydrographs from the North Central River Forecast Center for Fargo and Grand Forks tracing the river stage and forecast stage, I need to mention that the actual worded forecast was for a crest between 39 feet and 41 feet in Fargo. It now appears that the NWS strongly believes the river will reach at least 40 feet by late Friday in Fargo. The additonal moisture locked in snow and ice, melting a little on Saturday, may add to the crest level."

The Red crested at 40.82 feet, a record, on March 28th. This was a very well forecast event by the staff of hydrologists at the North Central River Forecast Center in Chanhassen.

Last week about a foot and a half of wet snow fell in the Red River basin. Forecasters at this time have little concern about anything close to a repeat of flooding on the Red River in 2010. Typically the crest on the Red River of the North, which flows north, occurs in early to mid April. But each year offers different outcomes.

CE