GRAND FORKS, ND – (NWS News Release) – The National Weather Service in Grand Forks today came out with an updated Spring Flood Outlook today and the numbers have definitely changed with recent snow storms. NWS says the risk for significant (moderate or higher) flooding has increased since the last outlook (now generally above long-term historical averages for most of the Red River Basin) due to additional snowfall and delayed melt conditions.

Here are some key points from the news release:

– Moderate to major spring flooding is depicted in this outlook (50% exceedance probability) for the mainstem Red River and southeastern North Dakota tributaries. Minor to isolated moderate flooding (50% exceedance probability) is depicted for some of the Minnesota tributaries.
– Below normal soil moisture and near normal streamflows entering into freeze-up.
– Above normal snowfall and precipitation through winter and spring so far (with the exception of the far northern basin).
– The continuation of below normal temperatures is leading to a delayed melt.
– Snowmelt timing/thaw cycle, along with any additional snow and/or rain, will be the most important factors contributing to the spring flood risk.

NWS Chief Hydrologist Amanda Lee talked about the flood forecast for the Sheyenne River Basin with reporter Steve Urness

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baldhill Dam Resource manager Scott Tichy said we do have a few things in our favor as we head into this springs snow melt.

NWS Meteorologist in Charge Mindy Beerends talks with Erick Johnson on Farm Talk about flooding concerns:

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