PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (MN) Flooding in northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota, day 2

Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2022 20:21:45 EDT

Summary: Flooding continues in tributaries to Red River Basin of Minnesota and North Dakota, and the Rainy River Basin in Minnesota, due to 2-4 inches of rain falling on snow and frozen soils.

Flooding continues in tributaries to Red River Basin of Minnesota and North Dakota, and the Rainy River Basin in Minnesota, due to 2-4 inches of rain falling on snow and frozen soils. Red River tributaries have peaked or likely will today. The mainstem Red River and Rainy River Basin tributaries continue to rise.

All gages are operating and transmitting. Flows have exceeded stage-discharge ratings at about 5 sites (3 sites in MN and 2 in ND). Provisional peaks of record were recorded at 7 sites (3 in MN; 4 provisional peaks of record in ND). Flows are above flood stages at 17 sites (2 major, 2 moderate, 6 minor in MN and 2 major, 4 moderate, 10 minor in ND). Provisional annual exceedance probabilities for sites in MN indicate flooding to date is less severe than the 2% AEP.

USGS staff deployed to field include 4 from Minnesota and 5 from North Dakota. Staff from nearby offices are applying shifts and extending ratings. USGS has been communicating measurements, field conditions, and rating updates on NWSChat, and with cooperators or local officials as needed.

Cooler temperatures and relatively little rain forecast for the few days. The 5-day quantitative precipitation forecast from the NWS forecasts 2-3 inches of rain for central North Dakota.

This is a joint Project Alert for both the MN & Dakota WSC. This will be the last Project Alert from Minnesota for this event. Please contact Steve Fuller or Dan Thomas for questions regarding ND gages. Or James Fallon for questions regarding MN gages.