If you need assistance for backyard sandbag removal, please visit http://www.cityoffargo.com/CityInfo/Departments/Engineering/FloodInfoCenter/SandbagLeveeRemoval/ for further information.  Anticipated date to begin City assisted removal is April 19, 2010.

Sandbag Levee Removal [City of Fargo]

The Red River is expected to continue its decline at least through the next week, according to the National Weather Service.

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Anderson said plugs had been placed in the sewer line to prevent water from the coulee area from entering the system. Water pressure pushed out the plugs, and some river water did enter the system.

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Road closures

The following state highways are closed until further notice:

• Highway 75 near Kent is closed from Wilkin County Road 24 to Wilkin County Road 22. Water is receding, but Mn/DOT crews are repairing washed out shoulders and a section of roadway under the railroad bridge. Traffic continues to be detoured using Wilkin County Roads 3 and 26.
• Highway 12 east of Ortonville is closed from Highway 75 to Big Stone County Road 21. The roadway is under water, causing dangerous driving conditions. Traffic is detoured using Highway 75 and Big Stone County Road 21.

Open – use caution

The following state highways are currently open but conditions can change rapidly. Motorists should use extreme caution approaching the following areas:

• Highway 12 east of Big Stone County Road 21 at Horseshoe Lake – Open to traffic, watch for water on the roadway.

Open – water receded

The following state highways are open and water has receded – water is no longer a threat to the roadway:

• Highway 75 one mile north of Kragnes – Open to traffic.
• Highway 200 east of Mahnomen at Twin Lake Creek between Mahnomen County Roads 3 and 4 – Open to traffic.

For more information

• Call 5-1-1 or log on to www.511mn.org for road condition information when traveling in western Minnesota where potential flooding conditions exist.
• Log on to www.dot.nd.gov/travel-info/ for North Dakota current road conditions.
• Listen to your National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio or local radio stations for weather and flood warnings

Minnesota Dept. Of Transportation

The weather service observed the Red at that height at 9:30 a.m. this morning. Subsequent observations show it dropping just a bit. The river is expected to stay above the 30-foot major flood stage for more than a week.

Current Red River level here

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DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — (9:45 a.m.) The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota State Patrol urge motorists to drive with caution as flooding affects area highways in Clay, Wilkin, Mahnomen and Big Stone counties.

• Highway 75 near Kent is closed from Wilkin County Road 24 to Wilkin County Road 22. The roadway is under water, causing dangerous driving conditions. Traffic is detoured using Wilkin County Roads 3 and 26.
• Highway 12 east of Ortonville is closed from Highway 75 to Big Stone County Road 21. The roadway is under water, causing dangerous driving conditions. Traffic is detoured using Highway 75 and Big Stone County Road 21.

Open – use caution

The following state highways are currently open but conditions can change rapidly. Motorists should use extreme caution approaching the following areas:

• Highway 75 one mile north of Kragnes – Open to traffic, watch for water on the roadway.
• Highway 200 east of Mahnomen at Twin Lake Creek between Mahnomen County Roads 3 and 4 – Open to traffic, watch for water on the roadway.
• Highway 12 east of Big Stone County Road 21 at Horseshoe Lake – Open to traffic, watch for water on the roadway.

Motorists should also watch for icy patches at or near these areas as the weather forecast calls for colder temperatures and wind over the next few days.

For more information

• Call 5-1-1 or log on to www.511mn.org for road condition information when traveling in Minnesota where potential flooding conditions exist.
• Log on to www.dot.nd.gov/travel-info/ for North Dakota current road conditions.
• Listen to your National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio or local radio stations for weather and flood warnings.

Minnesota Dept. of Transportation

While the scope of this flood has proven to be less threatening than expected, Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker urged people not to celebrate just yet; and not to get anxious about removing the clay or sand-bag levees.

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The National Weather Service in Grand Forks lowered the Red River crest prediction this morning from 38 ft, to 37.5ft sometime Sunday morning.

According to a statement released this morning, the river is expected to crest Sunday about 1/2 a foot lower than expected. However, the Red River in Fargo will still remain at Major Flood stage for at least the next seven days.

Elsewhere in Cass and Clay counties, overland flooding continues to be a major issue with dozens of closed roads throughout.

Hydrograph of Red River at Fargo [National Weather Service]
Flood Statement [National Weather Service]
Closed Roads in Cass County [Cass County]
Closed Roads in Western Minnesota [MNDot]

A troublesome storm sewer drain can’t be plugged, and Timberline residents will be called on to place 15,000 to 20,000 sandbags in the area.

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The live meeting schedule is as follows:

• Friday, March 19 – 8 a.m. public flood meeting
• Saturday, March 20 – 9 a.m. public flood meeting
• Monday, March 22 – 9 a.m. public flood meeting

Residents can also watch live flood meetings on TV Fargo 12 at the dates and times above.