FARGO, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) The city of Fargo will lower its flood protection plans to 39 feet following yesterday’s National Weather Service spring flood update.  Mayor Tim Mahoney stated, “We are currently seeing an ideal snow melt, which is great news for the Fargo metro. Our focus on the 25% probabilistic level is a safe approach, allowing us to fully respond to unanticipated and potentially heavy precipitation with our newly-produced sandbags and other protection measures.

Fargo Division Engineer Nathan Boerboom says the city will suspend Sandbag Central operations this evening at 7 p.m.  Sandbag Central, with the help of volunteers, made 400,000 sandbags that are ready to be deployed.   City Administrator Bruce Grubb says all the equipment will remain in place at Fargo Sandbag Central in the event unfavorable weather conditions dictate a reactivation of the operation.

The City says engineers will be working through the weekend to modify public flood maps and plans, which will be discussed at the Fargo/Cass County Public Flood Meeting on Monday, April 1 at 8 a.m. in the Commission Chambers at Fargo City Hall. The neighborhood meetings, scheduled for April 1 and 2, will be held as planned.

i3G Media talked with Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney, City Administrator Bruce Grubb, and Division Engineer Nathan Boerboom by phone today.  This is what Bruce Grubb had to say about the decision to lower the city’s protection level.