FEATURE


Bobcat compact track loaders carry pallets of sandbags to position them for volunteers who helped homeowners prepare for spring fl ooding.


Fargo, ND Flood Stage


40 FEET 35 FEET 30 FEET 25 FEET 20 FEET


Action Stage Initial Flood Stage


15 FEET 10 FEET


Historical Crests Red River Flood Stages


2009


1997 1897


2011 2010


Reasons for re-occurring fl oods in the Red River Valley


Major Flood Stage 1 Moderate Flood Stage


North Dakota and Minnesota residents, including some Bobcat employees, have been directly affected by the re-occurring fl oods in the Red River Valley area. 2011 marks the third consecutive year of severe fl ooding problems for anyone who lives in the Valley. Why does this continue to occur? Here are some common reasons.


Water fl ow. The Red River fl ows north into Canada and eventually into Lake Winnipeg. When snow begins to melt in late winter and early spring, the warmer, southern areas of the Valley feed runoff into the Red River. It travels north and meets melting snow from cities like Fargo and Moorhead. The combination of all of the water can create problems, depending on the amount of snowmelt or rainfall during the thaw. The winter of 2010–2011 was the second snowiest in Fargo history with 75 inches.


2 3


Ice dams. In addition to runoff, freshly broken ice can create dams, especially when it gets caught under low bridges. The ice prevents the water fl ow north; water gradually builds and eventually causes fl ooding until the ice is cleared.


Flat area. The Red River Valley is one of the fl attest areas of land in the United States — it is the fl oor of Glacial Lake Agassiz. When the Red River fl oods on the plain, there is little to stop it from spreading, causing widespread damage.


4


North Dakota


Fargo Moorhead


Less slope. Areas north of Fargo, including the town of Drayton, have less gradient or slope. The lack of slope contributes to additional fl ooding and the region can quickly look like a lake when the water spreads.


Minnesota


You can fi nd more information about the Red River Valley by visiting www.ndsu.edu/nd_geology


4 WorkSaver | SUMMER 2011


Bottom (left to right): A row of T650 loaders waits in preparation for sandbag distribution. The rubber track undercarriage helps this Bobcat loader drive through mud to deliver sandbags to volunteers. Flood waters overtake Fargo area ball fi elds and streets as snow melted in late March and early April.


Source: North Dakota State University, Department of Geosciences. Photos courtesy of Ernest Feland.


Red River


Red River


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