Flooding in Minnesota, April 1 to 30, 2006

The Red River at Wahpeton/Breckenridge rose above flood stage around 2 AM CST on March 30th and remained above flood stage until around 8 PM CST on April 9th. The river peaked at roughly 15.95 feet around 3 AM CST on April 1st. Unofficially, 15.95 feet would be the sixth highest modern-day river stage recorded. Overland flooding also occurred in addition to the river flooding. Roughly 35 bridges and 35 roads around the county were closed due to flooding. A 6 mile stretch of Minnesota Highway 210 east of Breckenridge was covered with flowing water. U.S. Highway 75 was closed at the railroad underpass at Kent, while the Red River bridge from Kent to Abercrombie was also closed. The Minnesota Governor authorized the National Guard to assist in the flood fight, providing generators and support to the Wolverton area. After the spring flood of 1997, many communities along the Red River looked at ways to mitigate flood effects. For Breckenridge, a higher permanent levee system was in the process of being constructed. A majority of the dike work had been completed, but some stretches were still unfinished and needed temporary patches. A diversion was also constructed on the Otter Tail River at Breckenridge, which diverted floodwaters from the Otter Tail River north of the city and then back into the Red River. Wilkin County received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for damages caused by spring flooding.In summary, the total public and private flood losses experienced within the Red River of the North basin through late March and April 2006 were likely in excess of $20 million. This includes the following amounts. For Minnesota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8.5 million. For North Dakota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8 million. For Federal agencies (USACE, USGS, and USCG), $1.5 million. For the transportation industry costs due to traffic diversions caused by prolonged road and bridge closures, $1.5 million. For personal property losses due to floodwaters surrounding more than 500 individual farmsteads and rural homesteads, $1.0 million.

The Red River at Fargo/Moorhead rose above flood stage around 1 AM CST on March 30th and remained above flood stage until around 7 PM CST on April 19th. The river peaked at roughly 37.18 feet around 2 AM CST on April 5th. Unofficially, 37.18 feet would be the fifth highest modern-day river stage recorded. Overland flooding also occurred in addition to the river flooding, with many roads around the county closed due to flooding. Problems were noted in the Sabin area, where farmhouses were surrounded by floodwater from the South Branch of the Buffalo River. The Buffalo River rose north of U.S. Highway 10 near Glyndon, and also surrounded several homes. In Moorhead, the 12th Avenue North Red River Bridge was closed. Other problems occurred north of Moorhead in Oakport Township. Temporary dikes were constructed, but several homes were flooded and most of the others were cut off. A vast area of water surrounded Kragness (also north of Moorhead). Several historic structures and most of the small town was inundated with water. Water also flowed over U.S. Highway 75, but it remained open. The Minnesota Governor authorized the National Guard to assist in the flood fight, working on dike patrols, security, and traffic control. After the spring flood of 1997, many communities along the Red River looked at ways to mitigate flood effects. For the Moorhead area, many homes were bought out in low-lying or flood-prone areas. Clay County received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for damages caused by spring flooding.In summary, the total public and private flood losses experienced within the Red River of the North basin through late March and April 2006 were likely in excess of $20 million. This includes the following amounts. For Minnesota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8.5 million. For North Dakota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8 million. For Federal agencies (USACE, USGS, and USCG), $1.5 million. For the transportation industry costs due to traffic diversions caused by prolonged road and bridge closures, $1.5 million. For personal property losses due to floodwaters surrounding more than 500 individual farmsteads and rural homesteads, $1.0 million.

The Red River at Halstad (MN) rose above flood stage around 4 PM CST on March 31st and remained above flood stage until around 3 AM CST on April 17th. The river peaked at roughly 39.31 feet around 8 PM CST on April 6th. Unofficially, 39.31 feet would be the third highest modern-day river stage recorded. The second highest modern-day river stages (unofficial) were recorded on the Wild Rice River at Hendrum (32.39 feet on April 5th) and on the Marsh River at Shelly (25.03 feet on April 3rd). Overland flooding also occurred in addition to the river flooding, with over 75 roads around the county closed due to flooding. Red River bridges at Perley (MN), Hendrum (MN), and Shelly (MN) were all closed. This left the State Highway 200 bridge as the only open Red River bridge between Fargo/Moorhead and Grand Forks/East Grand Forks. U.S. Highway 75 was closed in spots in western Norman County. Roads were also closed south and west of Ada. East of Perley and Hendrum, water completely covered at least a dozen sections of land, stranding several herds of cattle. The Minnesota Governor authorized the National Guard to assist in the flood fight, working on dike patrols, security, and traffic control. Classes were cancelled from April 3rd through the 5th at Norman County West School in Halstad, for flood fighting and to make room for the Minnesota Guard troops. A mile south of Halstad, a woman drove around a barricaded (flooded) road and was swept off the road and into a nearby flooded farm field. Two people passing by rushed to her aid and rescued her. All 3 people suffered minor hypothermia from being in the cold water. After the spring flood of 1997, many communities along the Red River looked at ways to mitigate flood effects. Permanent dikes held in the Halstad and Hendrum, so most of the flood fighting took place at rural farmsteads. Norman County received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for damages caused by spring flooding.In summary, the total public and private flood losses experienced within the Red River of the North basin through late March and April 2006 were likely in excess of $20 million. This includes the following amounts. For Minnesota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8.5 million. For North Dakota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8 million. For Federal agencies (USACE, USGS, and USCG), $1.5 million. For the transportation industry costs due to traffic diversions caused by prolonged road and bridge closures, $1.5 million. For personal property losses due to floodwaters surrounding more than 500 individual farmsteads and rural homesteads, $1.0 million.

The Red River at Grand Forks/East Grand Forks rose above flood stage around 4 PM CST on March 31st and remained above flood stage until around 6 PM CST on April 22nd. The river peaked at roughly 47.85 feet around 2 AM CST on April 6th. Unofficially, 47.85 feet would be the fifth highest modern-day river stage recorded. The seventh highest modern-day river stage of 25.00 feet (unofficial) was recorded on the Red Lake River at Crookston on April 2nd. The Red Lake River crest actually arrived in the Grand Forks/East Grand Forks area prior to the Red River crest. On the Red Lake River, an ice jam caused the river to peak a second time, just after the first crest. A voluntary evacuation occurred for neighborhoods along the Red Lake River, but few people actually evacuated. Overland flooding also occurred in addition to the river flooding, with many roads around the county closed due to flooding. State Highway 220 was closed north of East Grand Forks. Red River bridges at Nielsville (MN), Climax (MN), and east of Thompson (ND) were closed due to flooding. In the city of East Grand Forks, the Sorlie and the Point Red River bridges were also closed. This left the U.S. Highway 2 bridge as the only Red River crossing open in the county. The Minnesota Governor authorized the National Guard to assist in the flood fight, working on dike patrols, security, and traffic control. After the spring flood of 1997, many communities along the Red River looked at ways to mitigate flood effects. The permanent levee system constructed around East Grand Forks got its first test and performed well. Many low-lying or flood-prone neighborhoods close to the rivers were bought out and razed, which allowed both rivers to spread out into wider channels through the cities. Polk County received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for damages caused by spring flooding.In summary, the total public and private flood losses experienced within the Red River of the North basin through late March and April 2006 were likely in excess of $20 million. This includes the following amounts. For Minnesota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8.5 million. For North Dakota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8 million. For Federal agencies (USACE, USGS, and USCG), $1.5 million. For the transportation industry costs due to traffic diversions caused by prolonged road and bridge closures, $1.5 million. For personal property losses due to floodwaters surrounding more than 500 individual farmsteads and rural homesteads, $1.0 million.

The Red River at Oslo rose above flood stage around 1 AM CST on April 1st and remained above flood stage until around 10 AM CST on April 26th. The river peaked at roughly 37.70 feet around 8 PM CST on April 6th. Unofficially, 37.70 feet would be the fourth highest modern-day river stage recorded. The highest modern-day river stage of 11.16 feet (unofficial) was recorded on the Snake River at Alvarado on April 2nd. The Red River spread well out of it banks from around Oslo northward, essentially becoming a lake. Overland flooding also occurred in addition to the river flooding, with many roads around the county closed due to flooding. The ring-diked town of Oslo was completely surrounded by flood water. Minnesota State Highway 1 was closed east of Oslo and State Highway 220 was closed in spots north of Oslo. The Red River bridge at Oslo was closed during the peak of the flood as was the Red River bridge east of Grafton (ND). With Oslo being cut off, 20 of the town's children could not attend their school in Warren. For several days, these children gathered at the Oslo American Legion building to keep up with classwork. The Minnesota Governor authorized the National Guard to assist in the flood fight, working on dike patrols, security, and traffic control. Several Coast Guard units were brought in to assist residents with emergencies through the use of airboats and helicopters. After the spring flood of 1997, many communities along the Red River looked at ways to mitigate flood effects. Oslo is the only community located next to the Red River and its ring dike kept the floodwaters at bay. Marshall County received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for damages caused by spring flooding.In summary, the total public and private flood losses experienced within the Red River of the North basin through late March and April 2006 were likely in excess of $20 million. This includes the following amounts. For Minnesota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8.5 million. For North Dakota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8 million. For Federal agencies (USACE, USGS, and USCG), $1.5 million. For the transportation industry costs due to traffic diversions caused by prolonged road and bridge closures, $1.5 million. For personal property losses due to floodwaters surrounding more than 500 individual farmsteads and rural homesteads, $1.0 million.

The Red River at Drayton (ND) rose above flood stage around 6 PM CST on April third and remained above flood stage until around 1 PM CST on May 2nd. The river peaked at roughly 42.90 feet around 11 PM CST on April 10th. Unofficially, 42.90 feet would be the third highest modern-day river stage recorded. The Red River at Pembina (ND) rose above flood stage around 5 AM CST on April 5th and remained above flood stage until around 2 AM CST on May 3rd. The river peaked at roughly 51.45 feet around 8 PM CST on April 14th, unofficially the 3rd highest modern-day river stage recorded. The Red River spread well out of it banks (8 miles wide in spots) from around Oslo (MN) northward, essentially becoming a lake. Overland flooding also occurred in addition to the river flooding, with many roads around the county closed due to flooding. The Red River bridges at Drayton, Joliette, and Pembina were also closed during the flood. The border crossing at Noyes was also closed. At Lake Bronson State Park, one campsite was closed due to flooding. Several Coast Guard units were brought in to assist residents with emergencies through the use of airboats and helicopters. Kittson County received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for damages caused by spring flooding.In summary, the total public and private flood losses experienced within the Red River of the North basin through late March and April 2006 were likely in excess of $20 million. This includes the following amounts. For Minnesota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8.5 million. For North Dakota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8 million. For Federal agencies (USACE, USGS, and USCG), $1.5 million. For the transportation industry costs due to traffic diversions caused by prolonged road and bridge closures, $1.5 million. For personal property losses due to floodwaters surrounding more than 500 individual farmsteads and rural homesteads, $1.0 million.

Due to the quick snowmelt, water quickly drained into low areas, damaging many roads and bridges around the county.

Due to the quick snowmelt, water quickly drained into low areas, damaging many roads and bridges around the county.

Due to the quick snowmelt, water quickly drained into low areas, damaging many roads and bridges around the county. Becker County received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for damages caused by spring flooding.

Due to the quick snowmelt, water quickly drained into low areas, damaging many roads and bridges around the county. Red Lake County received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for damages caused by spring flooding.

Due to the quick snowmelt, water quickly drained into low areas, damaging many roads and bridges around the county.

Due to the quick snowmelt, water quickly drained into low areas, damaging many roads and bridges around the county.

Due to the quick snowmelt, water quickly drained into low areas, damaging many roads and bridges around the county.

Due to the quick snowmelt, water quickly drained into low areas, damaging around 46 different road and bridge sites around the county. The fifth highest modern-day river stage of 19.71 feet (unofficial) was recorded on the Roseau River in Roseau on April 2nd. In the city of Roseau, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers put fill in 3 different low areas. State Highway 310 at the Canadian border was closed due to flooding. Roseau County received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for damages caused by spring flooding.