PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (MN) Major flooding in northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota

Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:03:09 EDT

Summary: Major floods are occurring in tributaries to Red River Basin of Minnesota and North Dakota; and the Rainy River Basin in Minnesota as a result of by 2-4 inches of rain falling on snow and still-frozen soils.

Major floods are occurring in tributaries to Red River Basin of Minnesota and North Dakota; and the Rainy River Basin in Minnesota as a result of by 2-4 inches of rain falling on snow and still-frozen soils. Most tributaries are forecast to peak today or tomorrow, although the mainstem Red River and larger tributaries may be later. All gages are operating and transmitting. Flows have exceeded stage-discharge ratings at about 5 sites (3 sites in MN and 2 in ND). Flows are provisional peaks of record at 7 sites (3 in MN and 1 confirmed and 3 approaching peaks of record in ND). Sites with peaks of record in MN have 60-96 years of record. Flows are above flood stages at 17 sites (1 major, 2 moderate, 5 minor in MN and 2 major, 4 moderate, 8 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 are deployed to make discharge measurements. Staff in 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 next week will hopefully attenuate flooding over the next few days.

This is a joint Project Alert for both the UMid & Dakota WSC (Minnesota and North Dakota). Please contact Data Chief Steve Fuller (smfuller) or Field Office Dan Thomas (dcthomas) for questions regarding ND gages. Or James Fallon for questions regarding MN gages.