Updated Flooding Probabilities
James, Sheyenne, Red Missouri Rivers
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The National Weather Service says heavy, wet snow has caused a high probability of spring flooding in parts of western and central North Dakota.
Allen Schlag, a hydrologist at the National Weather Service in Bismarck, says some flooding is expected along the Knife River in west-central North Dakota and in the Jamestown River Basin, from LaMoure to the South Dakota border.
Depending on several factors, including the amount of additional snow fall this winter, and spring rain, and runoff, a major flood this spring is not expected… at this time… in the upper Sheyenne River Basin.
The Weather Service says, there’s a good chance the Sheyenne River will reach 14 to 15 feet in Valley City, major flood stage is 17 feet in Valley City. The record crest on the Sheyenne was 20.65 feet in Valley City in April of 2009.
Earlier, Army Corps of Engineer Resource Manager Rich Schuenamen said the draw down of Lake Ashtabula is underway for more storage space this spring.
Schuenamen says the lake should reach a level of 1257 the maximum draw down level by mid to early March.
Frost depth is about 1 to 2 feet in the upper Sheyenne basin from Harvey to Cooperstown
Moisture content is higher in the Fargo and Wahpeton areas this year, compared to a year ago, and further south in South Dakota.
Schlag says there is a near 90 percent chance that Apple Creek,
between Bismarck and Menoken, will reach major flood stage of 17
feet.
Flooding was a big problem in the region last spring, with
National Guard troops using explosives to break up ice jams on the
Missouri River.
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