Red River of the North at Oslo
Observed Thu, Sep 24, 9:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 26.00 ft
- Record crest
- 38.37 ft2009
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 36.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 30.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 26.00 ft |
| Action | 23.00 ft |
- 42.20 ftTop of the permanent levee upstream of Highway 1.
- 41.20 ftTop of the permanent levee downstream of Highway 1.
- 41.00 ftCity of Oslo Evacuation Action Plan initiated.
- 37.50 ftState Highway 1 overtops (MN DOT).
- 37.00 ftWater affects the Canadian Pacific railroad tracks west of Oslo.
- 36.50 ftND State Highway 54 has water over the road.
- 36.00 ftMAJOR FLOOD.
- 35.79 ftTop of the Walsh County agricultural dikes in Walshville Township.
- 35.00 ftNorth of Oslo Highway 220 and 317 typically overtop.
- 30.00 ftMODERATE FLOOD. Levee and floodwall patrols begin.
- 26.00 ftMINOR FLOOD.
- 23.00 ftACTION STAGE/FORECAST SERVICE STAGE. Pump operations begin.
- 21.00 ftCity begins closing flood gates.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 8% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
61 crests on NOAA’s list since 1936.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 1, 2009 | 38.37 ft |
| 2 | April 14, 2011 | 38.09 ft |
| 3 | April 10, 2020 | 38.01 ft |
| 4 | April 23, 1997 | 38.00 ft |
| 5 | April 12, 1978 | 37.91 ft |
| 6 | March 21, 2010 | 37.87 ft |
| 7 | April 13, 2019 | 37.80 ft |
| 8 | April 6, 2006 | 37.70 ft |
| 9 | April 27, 2022 | 37.47 ft |
| 10 | April 16, 2001 | 37.00 ft |
| 11 | April 22, 1996 | 36.95 ft |
| 12 | April 17, 1969 | 36.92 ft |
| 13 | April 14, 1989 | 36.72 ft |
| 14 | April 2, 1999 | 36.70 ft |
| 15 | October 17, 2019 | 36.60 ft |
| 16 | May 2, 2013 | 36.33 ft |
| 17 | April 24, 2023 | 36.27 ft |
| 18 | June 19, 2005 | 36.05 ft |
| 19 | April 1, 1995 | 35.35 ft |
| 20 | April 1, 2004 | 35.35 ft |
| 21 | June 23, 2007 | 34.70 ft |
| 22 | April 13, 2014 | 34.67 ft |
| 23 | April 3, 1986 | 34.20 ft |
| 24 | July 15, 2002 | 33.96 ft |
| 25 | June 29, 2000 | 33.82 ft |
Most recent crests
- March 30, 2026: 26.10 ft
- May 27, 2025: 16.44 ft
- May 30, 2024: 25.41 ft
- April 24, 2023: 36.27 ft
- April 27, 2022: 37.47 ft
- March 26, 2021: 14.43 ft
- April 10, 2020: 38.01 ft
- October 17, 2019: 36.60 ft
- April 13, 2019: 37.80 ft
- April 24, 2018: 33.13 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the North Central River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.