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FORKS, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The threat for significant spring flooding is high for the Devils Lake Basin this year.

National Weather Service Warning Coordinator Greg Gust said a wet fall along with high winter snow pack has set the stage for near record runoff. Devils Lake and Stump Lakes could rise 3 to 4 feet above current levels this spring.

Gust said the threat is moderate to high for most river points but somewhat higher for eastern North Dakota tributaries.

Gust said the Upper Sheyenne River Basin west of Cooperstown, has that same exceptionally wet and snowy aspect as the Devils Lake Basin and will have more substantive runoff. The area near Cooperstown into Baldhill Dam and Valley City proper is closer to normal for soil wetness and snow water content. But, he said as you get downstream the snow is less but the rain, and freezing rain were a bit higher. Thus you get a fairly high runoff up at the headwaters which is then sustained by a more “near to slightly above normal” runoff throughout the remainder of the Sheyenne River Basin.

He said our biggest concern right now is that last fall was the wettest we’ve seen over the entire Sheyenne River Valley since 2010-2011.

Minor to moderate flooding is expected in most areas, with an increased risk for moderate to major flooding across east-central and northeast North Dakota.

Gust said the second half of winter should continue to be cooler and snowier. He said expect temperatures from February thru April to be near to below average and precipitation near to above average.