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FORKS, N.D. (AP) – The National Weather Service says the chances of major flooding in the Devils Lake region of northeastern North Dakota remain high
The outlook released Thursday is predicting a 3- to 4-foot rise on Devils Lake, with a 10 percent chance the lake could exceed its record level of 1,454.3 feet in June 2011.
Weather service meteorologist Greg Gust says there’s about 10 to 20 inches of heavy, wet snow in the Devils Lake Basin and the far northern Red River Valley. Only trace amounts of snow remain from Grand Forks and point to the south.
Gust says the overall risk of flooding in the Red River Valley remains normal because of the possibility of heavy snow or rain in the next month.
Recent thaw conditions lowered the overall flood risk slightly in the southern end of the Sheyenne and Red River Valley. But the threat for significant flooding is still high for the Devils Lake Basin.
National Weather Service Forecaster Greg Gust says the threat remains moderate to high for most river points across northeast North Dakota, especially along the Park and Pembina Rivers.
Intermittent thawing has occurred, but moisture remains locked in the snow pack of the Devils Lake Basin. Some 6 to 12 inches of excess rainfall from 2016 is draining into area lakes. Devils Lake & Stump Lake could rise 3 to 4 feet above current levels this spring according to the National Weather Service.
Meanwhile, the flood forecast for the Sheyenne River in Valley City improved. Last month, the river was forecast to reach 16 feet, it has been lowered to 15 feet in Valley City.
The next outlook is scheduled later this month.