09-003, Spring Flooding
March 18, 2009
6:00 p.m. CDT
Incident Summary Report #7
Incident Overview
Updated information is in red.
The following is a summary of key issues related to the 2009 spring flood for the Red River of the North, Souris, Devils Lake, James and Missouri River Basins. Record flooding is possible at many locations on the Red River of the North and its tributaries. The magnitude of the expected flooding has not been seen in several years.
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Activation – Level III (Monitoring)
Significant Events
Deaths/Injuries
None Reported
Increased Dam Releases
Lake Traverse/Orwell Dam: By the end of March, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), St. Paul District, will draw down Lake Traverse by 2.8 feet, which will increase flows into the Bois de Sioux River.
The Orwell Reservoir will be drawn down by 14 feet, which will impact the Ottertail River.
• Both rivers are tributaries of the Red River of the North south of Wahpeton.
Jamestown/Pipestem Dams: The USACE, Omaha District, releases from the dams could be as high as a combined 1,800 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the city of Jamestown. The river channel in many areas of the city still cannot efficiently handle a release of 1,800 cfs. The USACE is assisting the city to complete flood preparedness efforts before releases from the two dams will be required.
• Jamestown Dam pool could rise from 1,445 to 1,450 feet this spring; the record pool level measured 1,445.9 feet in 1997. The Pipestem pool could rise from 1,478 to 1,492 feet; the record pool level was 1,487 feet in 1997.
Flooding
Billings County
o Flooding occurred along the Little Missouri River south of Medora on March 6 and March 16, forcing the evacuation of two residents.
Burleigh County:
o City and county residents have begun experiencing ground seepage as well as overland flooding from snowmelt runoff, clogged/blocked culverts and overflowing drainage ditches.
Richland County
o A home in the Colfax area and another home two miles west and two miles north of Wahpeton are surrounded by snowmelt that is backing up in fields. The county is using a trackhoe to open a ditch near the Colfax area; a private contractor will be used to assist at the other home.
Standing Rock Reservation:
o The EM reported snow is melting fast and they are beginning to experience some flooding in housing areas in Fort Yates.
Walsh County:
o One farmstead located one mile south and one mile west of the junction of N.D. Highway 17 and 32 is experiencing water backing up into the yard. Local personnel are enroute to assess the situation.
Williams County:
o The County EM reported a rail car from a train derailment one-half mile west of Williston (138th Ave NW and Riverside Drive) fell into Sand Creek and is resulting in some flooding at Sand Creek and Bell Subdivision area. The EM indicated no homes are threatened and they are working with BNSF to remove the car.
Roads
Cavalier County
o Ice created by springs in hillsides is melting and causing water to flow across roads in the hill areas of the county. Culverts are still frozen, and with the active springs, some township roads have had to be closed.
o All roads are soft due to the saturation levels at freeze up and rains throughout the winter. County and township roads are rutted. Load limits are being issued early due to these conditions.
Pembina County
o Water is alongside the road on County Road 3, which runs west and east on the north side of the city of Mountain. Culverts are still frozen around this area.
Sargent County
o On March 16, a Sargent County resident notified State Radio that a road approximately five miles south of the city of Rutland was impassable due to high water over the road.
o Snowmelt is causing washouts and hazardous road conditions, creating an unsafe environment for the public and emergency responders needing access to rural areas and homesteads.
Sioux County/Standing Rock Reservation
o The County Sheriff reported BIA Road 7 between State Highway 6 and 24 is closed due to flooding. The road is closed; barricades and signage have been installed.
Walsh County
o On March 16, water was coming over N.D. Highway 32 near Fordville. NDDOT placed high water markers along the road. There are a couple of county roads in the Lankin area that have water over them due to field runoff because culverts are still frozen.
Damages to Homes/Businesses
Grant County
The EM received several reports across the county of water in basements. Officials are concerned about overland flooding because ditches are full and culverts still frozen.
Pembina County
One city of Pembina resident reported six inches of water in the basement. One resident in the city of Cavalier and another in the city of Backoo reported water in their basements.
Red River Surveillance
The State Water Commission (SWC) provided the following analysis based on March 16 observations:
o Fargo to Hillsboro: Snow cover is less about 10 miles north of Fargo with some tilled field bare. Water is standing in the ditches and is not flowing through culverts.
o Grand Forks/Traill County line and east to the Red River: Drains and ditches are filled with snow. Water is flowing and a few culverts are opening. Water entering the Buffalo Coulee, approximately one to two miles upstream of the county line, is two feet deep.
o West from I-29 about 11 miles: Water is flowing through the drain located on the south side of the highway extending approximately four miles west of Reynolds.
o South to Casselton on N.D. Highway 18: There is no sign of flow on the north branch of the Goose River. Fields have more snow cover extending south to the Arthur area. There are still some open areas in the tilled fields. It appears some of the drifts in these fields are around one foot deep.
o East from Casselton to West Fargo: Snow cover is reduced in the area from Mapleton to West Fargo. There was some standing water in this area and a little flow through small culverts. As in all locations, there is much deeper snow drifts in shelter belts and protected areas.
Declarations (See map)
Governor John Hoeven issued a statewide emergency declaration on March 13.
County Declarations – Cass, Cavalier, Grand Forks, Oliver, Nelson, Pembina, Ramsey, Richland, Stutsman.
City Declarations – Argusville, Casselton, Fargo, Frontier, Grafton, Grand Forks, Harwood, Jamestown, Neche and Pembina.
Forecasts:
Flood Warning: Issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) until 9:45 p.m. MDT, Thursday, March 19, for the following counties: northwestern Grant County and Stark County. Ice jams have formed on the Heart River near the eastern Stark County line resulting in elevated water levels upstream. When the ice jam does break, temporary high water levels are possible downstream of the jam.
Flood Advisory: Issued until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19, due to ice jam snow melt for the following counties: northern Adams, southern Burleigh, southern Dunn, Emmons, Grant, Hettinger, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sioux, and Stark. High water levels resulting from snow melt and ice jams continue on several rivers and streams across south central and southwest North Dakota.
Flood Advisory: Extended by the NWS for an ice jam and snow melt until 2:15 p.m. CDT, Thursday, March 19, for the following counties: Dickey, central LaMoure, and southeastern Stutsman. Snowmelt is causing the James River and its tributaries to rise. High temperatures will remain well above freezing into early next week across the James River Valley causing additional snow melt.
Flood Advisory: Issued until 10:00 a.m. CDT Thurdsay, March 19, for an ice jam and snowmelt for the following counties: northern Dunn and central McKenzie. An ice jam present yesterday on the Little Missouri River at the north unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park has broken up. As a result, ice will be moving downstream and has the potential to create another ice jam between the north unit of the park and the Little Missouri Bay north of Killdeer.
Flood Warning: Issued for theWild Rice and Buffalo Rivers, tributaries of the Red River, which remain above flood stage and will affect the Red River in Richland and Cass Counties. Recent snowmelt over the past several days will cause the Red River at Wahpeton to rise over it 10-foot flood stage tonight. Temperatures will warm well above freezing Friday and through the weekend. Additional runoff will occur and river levels will continue to rise. Additional rises are possible next week after a significant storm moves into the area producing the potential for locally heavy rain.
Red River Forecast: The Grand Forks Office of the National Weather Service (NWS) indicated snowmelt conditions will remain favorable across the Red River Valley for the next few days as a slight cooler polar air mass settles across the area today and Thursday. Temperatures will be above freezing during the day and below freezing at night, producing conditions ideal for a freeze/thaw cycle, which will slow the flooding process. However, warmer temperatures are expected to return Friday and Saturday with daytime highs climbing into the middle 40s over the northern portion and lower 50s across the southern portion of the valley. Many rural drainage channels, rivers and streams remain clogged with ice, which will increase overland movement of water and ponding in low spots.
Potential Storm: Forecasts indicate the potential for a powerful storm system to impact the Red River Valley and the Devils Lake Basin late this weekend into the early part of next week. The forecast calls for showers and possible thunderstorms, which could produce locally heavy rainfall, aggravating flood conditions.
Long Range Probabilistic Forecasts: The NWS outlook indicated the following:
Red River Basin
Record flooding is possible at many locations on the Red River of the North and its tributaries. Also, significant overland flooding is likely for points located distant from river locales.
o Locations that have a 50 percent chance or greater of record flooding are Oslo, High Landing, Valley City, Abercrombie, Lisbon, Kindred and Harwood.
o Locations with a 20 to 50 percent probability of record flooding are Fargo, Sabin, Hawley, Dilworth, Hendrum, Hallock and Mapleton.
o Locations that have a near 100 percent chance of reaching major flood stage are Fargo, Grand Forks, Oslo, Drayton, Pembina, Abercrombie and Harwood.
o Locations forecasted to have a 50 percent or greater chance of major flooding are Valley City, Lisbon, Kindred, Grafton, Crookston and High Landing.
(http://www.crh.noaa.gov/fgf/scripts/localdata.php?loc=appahps&data=lpofar)
Pembina River: At the request of the Neche Mayor, the Grand Forks NWS changed the major flood stage for the Pembina River at Neche from 23 to 20.5 feet. The change is made due to the recent removal of upstream agricultural dikes and other hydrological changes in the basin that have been made since the establishment of the higher major flood stage. Current river stage at Neche is 4.3 feet.
Devils Lake Basin — The NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) indicates there is a 90 percent chance that Devils Lake will rise above three feet and a better than even chance it will rise above four feet surpassing historic high water levels. Devils Lake at Creel Bay and Stump Lake both have a 90 percent chance of reaching 1,450.5 feet and a 50 percent chance of reaching 1,451.4 feet. Fall and winter precipitation across the Devils Lake Basin averaged above normal and soils across much of the basin were saturated going into freeze-up. Frost depths in eastern North Dakota remain about two to three feet, so significant runoff rates could occur, particularly with a rapid snowmelt. The current level of Devils Lake is 1,447 feet.
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/fgf/scripts/localdata.php?loc=appahps&data=lpodvl
Missouri River Basin – While the recent dry weather in western North Dakota has lowered the threat of flooding and forecasts call for warmer and drier conditions, the NWS cautions adequate moisture exists in the snowpack to cause localized flooding. The Little Muddy Creek near Williston has a 40 percent probability of rising to moderate flood stage; Spring Creek near Zap has a 70 percent chance of rising above flood stage; and Apple Creek near Menoken has 90 percent chance it will rise to its flood stage of 15 feet with a 10 percent chance it will rise to 17.5 feet.
http://www.weather.gov/water/textprods/view.php?wfo=bis&prod=ESF&page=1
Souris River Basin — In the Souris River Basin, minor to major flooding is expected. The recent dry weather in the basin has lowered the threat of flooding in several areas. However, adequate moisture already exists in the snowpack across much of western North Dakota, which could create localized flooding.
http://www.weather.gov/water/textprods/view.php?wfo=bis&prod=ESF
James River Basin – The NWS reported James River Basin this week (3-9 to 3-11, 2009) received substantial snow fall which will add to the risk of high water events. At Pingree, the chance for moderate flooding is 20 percent and 90 percent for minor flooding. At Grace City, the chance for major flooding is 30 percent, 50 percent for moderate flooding and 80 percent for minor flooding. For Ludden, the chance for major flooding is 35 percent, moderate flooding is 80 percent and minor flooding is 98 percent.
http://www.weather.gov/water/textprods/view.php?wfo=bis&prod=ESF&page=1
Resource/Assistance Requests
Cass County/City of Fargo:
The city of Fargo submitted a request letter to the N.D. Department of Emergency Services requesting state and federal assistance for flood protection measures including construction of emergency flood protection levees.
o ACCEPTED
The City of Fargo has requested 200 N.D. National Guard members to be on site by Saturday, March 21, to assist with sandbagging operations.
On-scene USACE representatives are providing technical assistance to the cities of Argusville and Fargo for the construction of emergency levees in several locations including immediately south of the Fargo city limits..
City of Grand Forks:
The city of Grand Forks officials requested the USACE provide technical assistance, such as stability assessment, during the city’s work to raise its levee system.
o ACCEPTED
The USACE, St. Paul District, is providing technical assistance to the city of Grand Forks.
Nelson County:
Nelson County officials are requesting state and USACE assistance with protecting the Stump Lake Park.
o PENDING
On March 13, the Governor requested the St. Paul District of the USACE provide technical assistance, advance measures and emergency operations assistance for the cities of Fargo and Grand Forks, Nelson County and other communities in the Devils Lake and Souris and Red River Basins.
Pembina County
Officials requested the USACE provide technical and emergency operations assistance and advance measures.
o ACCEPTED
The USACE, St. Paul District, is providing technical assistance to the cities of Drayton and Pembina.
Stark County
The EM requested aerial reconnaissance of the Heart River from Belfield to east of Gladstone and the Green River four miles west of New Hradec down to Gladstone.
o ACCEPTED
The Civil Air Patrol has accepted the mission.
Stutsman County:
In response to anticipated high releases from the Jamestown and Pipestem Dams, the Stutsman County Emergency Manager sent a letter in March 6 to the Director of the N.D. Division of Homeland Security (NDHLS) requesting technical and material assistance from the USACE for the city of Jamestown.
o PENDING
On March 12, 2009, Governor Hoeven requested the Omaha District of the USACE assist with flood mitigation measures in communities along the Missouri and James River Basins.
Detailed Reports
Local
Billings County
On March 16, flooding occurred on the Little Missouri River due to water backing up from an ice jam at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad bridge in Medora. Two homes were flooded with approximately four feet of water in the basements; also flooded were surrounding corrals and garages. The residents at both homes evacuated when the flooding started but returned after ice jam was released and waters receded. Flooding was reported at the same location on March 6.
Burleigh County/City of Bismarck
The County Highway Department is monitoring roads and culverts and has begun clearing culverts when possible to provide water flow and prevent pooling and overflowing.
The Bismarck Public Works Department is monitoring streets to prevent street flooding and working to ensure the water is draining. At this time there is no danger of Missouri River or stream flooding.
Officials made sandbags and sand available at the Missouri Valley Fairgrounds for citizens experiencing residential flooding. Retail locations are out of sandbags. A news release will be issued.
Cass County
The Emergency Manager (EM) reported large quantities of ice on rivers have raised ice jam concerns.
The Sheyenne and Wild Rice Rivers pose a threat of overland flooding to rural subdivisions south of Fargo north to Harwood and the city of Harwood.
City of Argusville and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad discussed removing railroad track to close opening in its ring dike, if necessary.
Dickey County
The EM reported overland flooding due to rapid snowmelt in the western portion of the county. County crews are working to open frozen culverts to relieve water from the roads. Township and county crews are working to locate, flag and mitigate these areas.
Divide County
Sewage lagoons in the city of Crosby may pose problems.
Eddy County
Members of the Bowdon Lutheran Church have been advised to remove snow around the church to prevent seepage.
Grand Forks
The EM stationed sand and sandbags at the cities of Manvel and Grand Forks; and will have sand delivered to property that is in imminent danger of flooding.
The County Emergency Operations Center opened March 13, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., to monitor flood forecasting, levee construction and address queries from the public.
Construction crews began moving snow and hauling for the Grand Forks levee area on March 14.
Grant County
Sandbags are available at various locations in the county. A local supplier has opened a sand pit and made it available for residents to fill sandbags.
Oliver County
Square Butte Creek and the city of Center are areas of concern.
Ninety percent of flooding is expected to be confined to agricultural land.
Evacuation and sandbagging plans are in place and contractors have been identified.
All local creeks are full; ice jams will present problems. Two roads will be inundated but plans are in place to detour traffic. Snow hauling operations continue.
Pembina County
County officials are assessing the situation in the city of Mountain to determine a possible solution to keeping the water from coming into the city limits and affecting homes.
A construction company cleaned a ditch just north of the city of Cavalier to relieve water backup into the north part town affecting one resident.
The city of Crystal has requested sand and sandbags from the county to be delivered March 18.
North Border School sent permission slips asking parents to allow students to help with sandbagging efforts in Neche and Walhalla.
The city of Mountain received sand and sandbags from the county.
City of Neche has concerns that its uncertified dike surrounding the city may not be strong enough to hold the water pressure on the north and west sides.
The Highway Department has cleaned snow from ditches to relieve water flows one-half mile north of Backoo and also cleared one-half mile of ditch one mile north of the Walsh County line to one-half mile east of County Road 12 (parallel with 79th St).
The Highway Department has sand and sand bags stationed at the county shop in Cavalier and will charge for delivery. Unused sand and/or bags can be returned for no cost.
The Highway Department has opened culverts located by County Roads12 and 1 and the junction of County Road 1 and 2 north of Cavalier. Workers attempted to open another culvert in Walhalla by the ethanol plant but it was frozen solid.
The Neche Fire Department is spearheading the city evacuation plan, if needed.
The county is awaiting USACE evaluation of dikes in the City of Drayton, City of Pembina, and City of Neche for possible reinforcement.
City of Pembina is attempting to open up culverts and break up ice in ditches.
Pierce County
The EM has asked County Commissioners for a policy on sand and sandbag issues. The county does not have any sand available.
The SEOC directed the EM to locate resources for sand and to contact contractors if they are needed.
Ransom County
The EM and spotters throughout the county are monitoring areas of concern, including Fort Ransom, Lisbon and McCloud.
The Water Board members are meeting on March 18 to discuss potential issues related to the Baldhill Dam.
Richland County
County resources are hauling material for sandbagging to threatened communities to protect infrastructure.
The EM met with City of Wahpeton Mayor and Council regarding the use the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and volunteers to preload four dump trucks full of sandbags and also two trucks with clay material on Thursday, March 19, for emergency distribution.
Local volunteers and fire departments helped with sandbagging at two farmsteads.
The Richland County officials have begun moving sand, sandbags and other resources to locations they have identified as areas of concern. The main concern is overland flooding because the closed culverts, which could result in potential problems for Fairmount, Lidgerwood, Great Bend and Christine.
The SWC received a report from the Richland County Water Resource District indicating a fair amount of standing water is unable to flow. There are open areas in fields. The winds cleared much of the snow from field and piled it up in shelterbelts.
Sargent County
Township officers are monitoring road conditions throughout the county.
The EM will participate in a flyover of the Gwinner area and the Wild Rice River area to identify potential problems.
Areas of concern include the low lying area of the west side of the city of Milnor where several homes are located. Officials area also concerned about overland flooding from Ransom County and the Gwinner area.
The city of Milnor has had meetings to discuss potential flooding as well a dike that may be constructed the week of March 23. There are three to four homes outside the diked area.
Standing Rock Reservation
The EM is checking the Cannonball River daily, concerned water has not yet started flowing. All creeks are one half to three quarters full.
Tribal officials are conducting planning and working with the American Red Cross (ARC) to discuss how they would evacuate, if necessary. A listing of private sandbag suppliers was provided to the tribal emergency management office upon request.
Traill County
A SWC engineer participating in a surveillance of the Red River reported a farmstead had water backing up behind the access road. A backhoe was on site trying to open the culvert.
Walsh County
The communities of Lankin and Fordville are experiencing drainage due to frozen culverts and drainage systems. The County is working in Fordville to help open drains and currently Lankin is maintaining on its own.
The Townships of Golden, Rushford, Vernon, and Oakwood have all requested road closure signs.
Workers for the City of Grafton are filling in areas of the city dike and are waiting on the USACE before moving forward with other areas. A contractor has begun moving equipment into town for dike construction, if requested.
County officials have stationed sand and sandbags at the Grafton shop and at the Hoople Fire Hall.
Primary concerns are the cities of Grafton and possibly Forest River and Minto, as well as overland flooding and local drainage issues due to ditches being full of water and ice and frozen culverts.
Another concern is ice jams on the south branch of the Park River between Grafton and the city of Park River due to releases from Homme Dam. The EM has identified contractors and vendors for sand, and sandbags.
Ward County
The Flood Strike Planning team met on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 and reviewed current plans for flood operations.
Volunteer fire fighters will be recruited through their respective fire chiefs to serve as manpower pool for shelter and sandbag operations.
Ward County Engineer received permission from County Commission to take necessary actions to preserve life and property without Commission approval when time is critical to action.
Wells County
The EM indicated areas of concern in the Upper James River include and Fessenden which typically have overland flooding.
County officials are pre-staging equipment in potential areas of flooding. Flood response will depend on culverts opening. Most of the flooding is expected to be on agricultural lands.
Williams County
The city of Tioga contacted the EM regarding concerns about overtopping of the Tioga Dam and potential flooding in the town. The EM attempted to go to the site but was unable to do so because of muddy conditions and snowpack.
The Blacktail Dam north of Williston is also a concern where overtopping could result in the flooding of 20+ houses. Local agencies continue to monitor the situation.
State
Office of the Governor
The Governor issued an activation letter directing the N.D. National Guard to provide forces, supplies and equipment in anticipation of potential flooding around the state.
The Governor’s March 13 emergency declaration activated state resources.
N.D. Civil Air Patrol
The CAP is providing aerial photography.
N.D. Department of Health (NDDoH)
The NDDoH has been preparing public information resources to address health issues related to flooding and posting it to: www.ndhealth.gov/flood.
Staff members are coordinating potential support from ambulance services and hospital and nursing home bed availability in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
N.D. Department of Human Services (NDDHS)
Staff has been coordinating with voluntary agencies.
N.D. Division of Homeland Security (NDHLS)
SEOC staff is coordinating state assistance.
N.D. Highway Patrol
On March 17, the Highway Patrol conducted aerial reconnaissance flight over Sioux County and the Dickinson and Medora areas as well as the Knife River to the Missouri River.
N.D. State Plumbing Board
Personnel are coordinating with the NDDoH to prepare to assist local government with potable water supply and waste water disposal systems.
N.D. State Water Commission
The Red River Valley engineer conducted a surveillance of the Red River Valley on March 16.
SWC personnel have been analyzing forecast data and identifying potential problem areas.
The SWC has taken snow water samples in the Devils Lake and Pembina River Basins.
N.D. Department of Transportation
NDDOT is positioning an old sign truck in Fargo. The sign truck was scheduled for replacement but is being put back into service to assist with additional signing of road closures that may occur due to flooding.
The Dickinson District is sending two of its roadside message boards to Grand Forks and the Bismarck District is sending two to Fargo.
The Department has begun prepositioning equipment to include barricades as well as an extra backhoe to the Fargo District to prepare for possible flooding.
Federal
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Regional Operations Center is monitoring the flood potential.
Two FEMA Region VIII are providing technical assistance to the North Dakota SEOC.
National Weather Service
Meteorologists are providing forecast information and conducting conference calls with local, state and federal responders.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Engineers are providing technical assistance to local and state governments.
Ward County received 100,000 sandbags from the USACE for storage. These sandbags are available, upon approval by USACE, to counties in the region.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
The Bureau is initiating Response Level 1 to evaluate, assess and monitor the situation due to pool elevation of the Jamestown Dam forecast of 1,440.0 msl with expected gate releases of 750 cubic feet per second (cfs) or greater and local weather forecasts indicating potential for heavy precipitation.
Voluntary Agencies
The Salvation Army
The Northern Division plans to stage five of its mobile canteens in the Fargo area as well as several trailers. Volunteers will be preparing sandwiches and hydration for sandbag crews.
United Methodist Disaster Response
Local congregations in North and South Dakota have been requested to prepare flood cleanup buckets.
Church World Service Emergency Response Program (CWSERP)
CWSERP is offering both response and preparedness training to help N.D. Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster (VOAD), local churches, local communities, and local, area, or state long term recovery committees respond to the needs of their communities following a disaster event.
American Red Cross
ARC chapters in North Dakota have conducted community disaster education and are preparing to provide mass care, damage assessment if necessary, cleanup kits and possibly deploying canteens in support of large sandbag operations.
Division of Homeland Security Division of State Radio
Greg M. Wilz, Director Mike Lynk, Director