Spring Time is Flood Time

[Bigwoods]

drafter,

I heard about the ice jam and there were some e3vacualtions. They can be scary. When I was in Nebraska they had a guy that would drop dynamite from a bridge to break up the jams. He had quite a reputation and I met him when he was an old codger. He caught me staring at his missing left hand. A big smile came to his face and he said, " That's what happens when you hold onto a stick of blast a few seconds too long."

BTW, nice to hear from you drafter. It is nice to have folks with the same interest in the area.

[hotrod]

http://www.ndsu.edu/fargo_geology/flood ... v-2001.jpg
This is the dike that runs thru my work parking lot, its an old pic but the dike is the same, possibly a foot or 2 taller this year. I work in the white building down and left from the bigger case plaza...

[Bigwoods]

drafter,

I forgot to mention that I live by Oslo Mn. So howdy neighbor.

hotrod,

Are there bridges open between ND & Minn.? If I get stuck on the ND side I may have to make the long skirt around to get back and help the Mrs. I think I remember a new bridge by Halstad I think.

[hotrod]

Im not sure about halstad.
http://www.511mn.org/index.asp
I see 200 is closed on the minnesota side..There is so much water out on the flats....
When we get thru this spring we should have a red river valley teardrop get togather someplace... lolol
Paul.

[dakotamouse]

Hasn't this been a hell of a winter!

We are even having flooding here on the Missouri in Bismarck. The Fox Island and South Port areas are under evacuation. We are a mile east of there and are more than a little nervous.

A mile south of us Apple Creek is threatening. Kinda feel surrounded. The governor has been working with the guard and has a plan to use dynamite and salt dropped on the ice jam in the Missouri to break it up.

Unfortunately, we've had a blizzard going on all day and it isn't safe for the guard to fly their Black Hawk helicopters.

Even if the creek or the river doesn't get us we have to worry about ground water seeping into the basement. The amount of snow we got this year was unreal.

For the first time since Garrison Dam was completed the Corps of Engineers has halted all water flow through the dam, I believe that even includes the hydroelectric plant. But we won't notice a difference from that for 2 days, they say.

Aiieeeeee, what a mess!

[hotrod]

UUUFFFDAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
Takes alot to shut down something like garrison...

[dakotamouse]

Crimeny! Woke up to a whole bunch of bad news. There is a drainage canal through the south side of Bismarck that drains into the Missouri that is backing up through town. South 12th St between the Expressway and Airport Express is closed. That's where I work.....Today should be an adventure.

[Bigwoods]

Dakotamouse,

Best of luck. Hope all goes well with you. This reminds me so much of 97. I remember the ice storm we had over this way before the big flood. I just tried to blow snow to get out of my driveway and it is so deep and wet that it just plugs up the snowblower. I will have to put the blade on.

I know you guys have had such a hard winter with all the wind and snow. Hope you get through the week and maybe we will all be camping soon.

Best Wishes
Greg

[dakotamouse]

We are nervously waiting for the sound of explosions. There is an ice jam on the river just south of us that they are trying to break up. That should bring some relief.

[CAJUN LADY]

And I thought we were having it bad here in Florida with a severe drought problem. I'm sorry to hear about the flooding ya'll are facing. Like MadJack said, you are all in our prayers.

[dakotamouse]

Thanks, Becca!

I really fear this is going to be a nasty spring for flooding all along the Missouri. Up here in Bismarck we are just the start of the river. We've had near record snow falls this year and we are no where close to having it all melt.

if only some of this water could be redirected to folks that need it, like Florida or Australia.

[Wimperdink]

Our prayers for all of you up there. I grew up near Pembina and spent a younger year in Grand Forks. I was gone before the last flood hit. What a mess.

[Bigwoods]

Just an update for everyone. Fargo's crest is estimated about a foot higher than anticipated and they are sandbagging to the proper height. Things were happered today with 8" of new snow and no travel advised in the area. I think about 17 homes were flooded in a subdivision. The Coast Guard were taking people out of the are in airboats.

As I said Grand Forks should be safe with it's dike system. There are 3 bridges to Minnesota and 2 have been closed as the have to fill in the area to complete the dike.

I am 20 miles north of GF and was not able to go there for my work as we had 10" of new snow. I tried to blow snow with my tractor but it was too wet and heavy and it kept plugging up so I took that off and put on a blade and bladed a path to the highway. Our crest to to come Monday and another storm is predicted.

We do appreciate your thought and prayers. I may get isolated here at home for a week as it takes the crest several days to clear.

I just hope drafter and hotrod and dakotamouse stay safe.

[dakotamouse]

The blasting of the ice jam has helped a lot. The river level is down 2 feet but there are plans for two more blasts to move the ice along.

There is flooding going on state wide. Normally its the Red River that is our major bad boy. Not in my life time has the Missouri been a problem.

The towns of Beulah and Hazen are having trouble with the Knife River.

Linton is flooded by Beaver Creek.

I'm amazed that Minot isn't having trouble with the Souris River but I think they put in extensive work to their dike system years ago.

[drafter]

Everyone in Crookston is safe for now. It looks as if the river will fluctuate a little for next few days but the city feels they will just need to watch the dikes. This cooler weather will help by slowing the run off. A few people had chosen to leave their homes during the high water because they live behind the old dikes and nobody is sure how strong they are. I will keep everyone in our prayers during these tough times. Keep safe.