FARGO, N.D. (MFDA) According to the Metro Flood Diversion Authority (MFDA) with the removal of an earthen plug, the first two of 14 reaches of the storm water diversion channel will become a functioning internal watershed. That means rainfall and runoff events for close to another three miles of the channel area at its downstream end, which is north of the metro area, will naturally drain into the Red River as intended. In time, the entire 30 miles will operate in this manner, with 14 river and drain inlets intercepted along the way. That and other construction work can be seen in this month’s drone construction update, available at https://youtu.be/bnrJ4Yq_q7Q.
Here are some of the other highlights of the past month:
Crossings: Portions of the 4 miles of piling needed for the BNSF Hillsboro and County Road 81 crossings were driven this month at those sites, which are southeast of Argusville, North Dakota. Near the opposite end of the metro area, girders were installed at the 52nd Avenue West crossing.
Maple River Aqueduct: A handful of contractors have been working on different aspects of this aqueduct, including Parsons Electric, which began installing embedded conduits for the aqueduct flume’s low-flow channel heating system. The system will operate in colder months to maintain river flows and fish passage. This heating feature is believed to be the only one of its kind in the world. In addition to that, Meyer Contracting has been forming and placing concrete for the structure’s wingwalls, and ASN Constructors installed falsework, a temporary structure, to support future concrete placements for the walkway atop the south flume wall.
Stormwater Diversion Channel: In addition to removing the plug that was no longer needed due to the recent opening for the combined crossing for County Roads 4 and 31, ASN Constructors excavated more than 300,000 cubic yards in Reach 12, which is near Horace, North Dakota.
For the latest road closures and more construction information, go to FMDiversion.gov
About the Metro Flood Diversion Authority
The MFDA is a permanent North Dakota political subdivision that is cooperatively implementing the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion comprehensive project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The MFDA works in partnership with the Red River Valley Alliance in a public-private partnership as well as the City of Fargo, City of Moorhead, Cass County, Clay County and the Cass County Joint Water Resource District.