1997 Floods in the Red River of the USGS North and Missouri River Basins in science fora changing world North Dakota and Western Minnesota
INTRODUCTION Record floods devastated many commu nities along rivers and streams in the Red River of the North (Red River) and Missouri River Basins in North Dakota and western Minnesota during the spring of 1997. Record snowfall over much of the region during the winter of 1996-97 along with added precipita tion from a late-spring blizzard on April 5-6, 1997, caused the worst flooding in several areas in more than 100 years. Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes, some permanently, as floodwaters and severe weather caused nearly 2 billion dollars in damages to the region. Little Missouri River, western North Dakota. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), one of the principal Federal agencies responsible 300 percent of normal, which is about 35 to 40 up to 70 miles per hour (mi/h), and up to 2 feet for the collection and interpretation of water- inches (in.) during a typical year (fig. 2). In (ft) of snow with drifts many feet higher in resources data, works with other Federal, the winter of 1996-97, Fargo. N. Dak., and several areas. In southeastern North Dakota State, and local agencies to ensure that accu Moorhead, Minn., located on the Red River, and southwestern Minnesota, the blizzard was rate and timely data are available for making reported about 117 in. of snowfall, and Grand preceded by wind-driven rain and sleet. The decisions regarding the public's welfare (a Forks, N. Dak., and East Grand Forks, Minn., wind and ice toppled trees and power lines, listing of cooperators in the Red River Basin is also located on the Red River, reported more leaving thousands of people without power for given on page 8). This report presents prelim than 98 in. of snowfall. In south-central North days. Loss of power also inhibited the ability inary water-resources data on the 1997 floods Dakota, Bismarck, located on the Missouri of the USGS to collect and transmit data from that were obtained from selected streamflow- River, reported about 101 in. of snowfall. several streamflow-gaging stations in the gaging stations located in the Red River and Elsewhere in the region, snowfalls were well region. The additional moisture brought by Missouri River Basins (fig. 1). above the seasonal averages (fig. 3). the blizzard added to the increasing stream- flows (flows) in the Red River and Missouri In the spring, snowmelt and warm tem River Basins. WINTER OF 1996-97 peratures generally begin in southwestern and The winter of 1996-97 was one of the western North Dakota and move northeast most brutal on record for the upper Great across the State into Minnesota. In the winter FLOODS OF 1997 Plains. Record snowfalls were recorded of 1996-97, melting of the snowpack and Flooding in North Dakota and western throughout North Dakota and western thawing of the ice began in late March on Minnesota usually is caused by spring Minnesota, creating conditions conducive to rivers and streams in the region but were snowmelt, and the severity of the flooding is major flooding. The heaviest snowfalls inhibited by a late-spring blizzard that affected by (1) substantial precipitation in the occurred along the main stems of the Red occurred on April 5-6, 1997. This blizzard fall that produces high levels of soil moisture, River and the Missouri River and were about brought a severe drop in temperatures, winds (2) above-normal snowfall in the winter, (3)
Aerial view of East Grand Forks, Minn. Sorlie Bridge, Grand Forks, N. Dak. Photograph by North Dakota State Water Commission. SASKATCHEWAN MANITOBA _103° 102° [ T33
Figure 1. Locations of selected streamflow-gaging stations in the Red River of the North and Missouri River Basins.
SASKATCHEWAN MANITOBA !03° 102°
104
Figure 2. Average annual snowfall, in inches, in the Red River of the North and Missouri River Basins. [Data from National Weather Service, North Dakota State Climatology Office, and Minnesota Division of National Resources State Climatology Office, written commun., 1997.] SASKATCHEWAN MANITOBA 97° .-2Z, 49° 103° 102° [ 101° 100° - -CT7-SSrr^»-r \a / \
NORTH l\ , tXKOTA 104' 101 ° SOUTH 100° DAKOTA "°
0 10 20 30 40 MILES
Figure 3. Total snowfall, in inches, from October 1996 through April 1997 in the Red River of the North and Missouri River Basins. [Data from National Weather Service, North Dakota State Climatology Office, and Minnesota Division of National Resources State Climatology Office, written commun., 1997.] moist, frozen ground that prohibits infiltration Historical peak stages and peak flows and northerly flow, the timing of spring thaw and of moisture, (4) a late spring thaw, (5) above- the 1997 peak stages, peak flows, and recur snowmelt can greatly aggravate flooding. normal precipitation during spring thaw, and rence intervals are shown in table 1. The Snow in the headwaters of the Red River (6) ice jams (temporary dams of ice) on rivers streamflow-gaging stations are listed in down Basin begins to melt first, when areas down and streams. Many of these conditions were stream order by station number, and station stream remain largely frozen. This melt present in the Red River and Missouri River locations are shown in figure 1. Revisions to pattern can cause ice jams to form, and sub Basins before and during the floods of 1997. the current peak stages and peak flows given stantial backwater (water that is retarded, in this preliminary report may occur as site backed up, or turned back in its course because Stream stages (height of water in a stream surveys are completed and additional field above an arbitrarily established datum) and of an obstruction or an opposing current) can data are reviewed in the upcoming months. occur as flow moves north toward the ice jams flows measured by USGS personnel at and frozen river-channel ice. streamflow-gaging stations are used to define a Because it is difficult to accurately deter unique relation between stage and flow. This mine recurrence intervals, particularly for sites Recurrence intervals for peak flows on the relation, commonly called a rating curve, may that have short periods of record, ranges are main stem of the Red River ranged from 50 to not be well defined at extreme high flows given within which the recurrence intervals for 500 years. On April 6, 1997, the stage of the because the flows are rare events of short the 1997 floods are likely to fall (table 1). A Red River at Wahpeton, N. Dak., was 19.42 ft, duration and have unstable conditions that study of the Red River Basin hydrology that which is 1.47 ft higher than the record set in often make measurement extremely difficult. includes an analysis of both systematic and 1989. On April 15, 1997, 9 days later, flow Therefore, estimates for some peak flows need historic peaks is planned. The goal of the was 12,800 cubic feet per second (ft /s), and to be extrapolated from rating curves extended study will be to reduce the uncertainty in the the stage was 19.22 ft. The recurrence interval estimated recurrence intervals given in this to known peak stages. The peak flows are for the April 15 peak flow was between 100 preliminary report. used to determine the probability, often ex and 200 years. On April 8,1997, most of the pressed in recurrence intervals, that a given 1,700 people in Ada, Minn.. were forced to flow will be exceeded. For example, a flood Red River of the North Basin flee their homes as overland flow from the that has a 1-percent chance of exceedance in The Red River Basin includes eastern and flooding Marsh and Wild Rice Rivers inun any given year would, on the long-term aver north-central North Dakota and western dated the town. Freezing temperatures from age, be expected to occur only about once a Minnesota. The headwaters of the Red River the late-spring blizzard caused a layer of ice to century; therefore, the flood would be termed are in northeastern South Dakota, and the form over the flooding waters, trapping and the "100-year flood". However, the chance of mouth is in Canada. At Emerson. Manitoba, then suffocating livestock. On April 17,1997, such a flood occurring in any given year is near the Canadian boundary, the drainage area flow on the Red River at Fargo, N. Dak., and 1 percent. Thus, a 100-year flood can occur in for the Red River Basin is about 40,200 square Moorhead, Minn., was 28,000 ft3/s. The successive years at the same location. In some miles (mi2). The basin is relatively flat and recurrence interval for this peak flow was instances, recurrence interval estimates can be has a shallow river channel. The Red River is between 50 and 100 years. On April 18,1997, based on periods of regulated flow or made one of the few rivers in the United States to the stage was 39.62 ft, which exceeded the with historic adjustments when historic data flow directly north. Because of the flatness of record of 39.10 ft set 100 years earlier. On are available. the basin, the shallow river channel, and the April 18, 1997, flow on the Red River at
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* 1 I oo OO Ln LO w to ^ 5 Ln ^ Streamflow OS Ln to ^O Ln ---J o 0 to 1? 1 "» . , LO Ln -j o O O 0 8 O 8 § 8 o o a to i t cp Recurrence A L? V , o L? Is) 9 to Ln Ln interval O 0 0 8 O (years) 37 Spring Creek at Zap, N. Dak. 549 1924 03-15-1972 20.70 04-07-1952 6,130 03-25-1997 11.83 03-25-1997 1,530 2-5 (06340000) 1945-C 38 Knife River at Hazen. N, Dak. 2,240 1930-33 06-24-1966 27.01 06-24-1966 35,300 03-23-1997 26.93 03-23-1997 20,400 25-50 (06340500) 1938-C 39 Missouri River at Bismarck, N. Dak. 186,400 1928-C 03-31-1881 31.60 07-25-1997 14.00 07-25-1997 59.600 50-100 (06342500) 04-06-1952 27.90 04-06-1952 500,000 12-18-1979 a!4.24 07-13-1975 68,900 40 Green River near New Hradec, N. Dak. 152 1964-C 03-22-1978 a!7.60 05-09-1970 4,120 03-22-1997 8.68 03-22-1997 914 2-5 (06344600) 41 Heart River near Richardton, N. Dak. 1,240 1905-21 03-30-1912 41 .95 03-22-1997 23.68 03-22-1997 13,300 25-50 (06345500) 1938 04-16-1950 28.05 04-16-1950 23,400 1943-C 42 Heart River near Mandan, N. Dak. 3,310 1924 04-04-1952 a25.75 04-19-1950 30,500 03-23-1997 19.82 03-23-1997 19.000 b!0-25 (06349000) 1928-33 1937-C 43 Cedar Creek near Raleigh, N. Dak. 1,750 1939 03-28-1978 13.95 03-28-1978 13,400 03-24-1997 14.18 03-24-1997 13,700 50-100 (06353000) 1962-C 44 Cannonball River at Breien, N. Dak, 4,100 1935-C 04-19-1950 22.30 04-19-1950 94,800 03-24-1997 20.28 03-24-1997 27,800 25-50 (06354000) 45 James River near Grace City, N. Dak. 1,060 1969-C 03-21-1996 16.18 07-28-1993 3,520 04-24-1997 11.82 04-24-1997 3,080 5-10 (06468170) 46 Pipestem Creek near Pingree, N. Dak. 700 1974-C 03-17-1995 11.70 03-17-1995 3,180 04-19-1997 11.17 04-19-1997 2,980 10-25 (06469400) 47 James River at Jamestown, N. Dak. 2,820 1928 04-11-1969 16.94 05-13-1950 6,390 04-09-1997 10.54 04-09-1997 1,450 b!0-25 (06470000) 1933 1938-39 1943-C 48 James River at LaMoure, N. Dak. 4,390 1950-C 04-14-1969 16.17 04-14-1969 6,800 04-02-1997 15.56 04-02-1997 5,800 b25-50 (.06470500) 49 James River at Dakota Lake Dam near 5,480 1982-C 04-19-1996 13.97 04-19-1996 2,850 04-19-1997 15.24 04-19-1997 4,980 25-50 Ludden, N. Dak. (06470875) a Backwater from aquatic vegetation, ice, and/or debris. b Recurrence interval based on regulated period. c From floodmark. d Extreme outside period of record. e Overland flow to the Wild Rice River Basin about 7 miles upstream of gage. Calculation based on reduction in drainage area from 2,510 to 1,690 square miles upon completion of Channel A in 1979. g Floodmark, backwater from Red River of the North. Grand Forks, N. Dak., was 136,900 ft3/s, and Dakota from the west and exits south into was between 25 and 50 years. On March 24, the stage was 52.21 ft, which is more than 2 ft South Dakota. Flow on the river is regulated 1997, flow on Cedar Creek near Raleigh, higher than the record set in 1897. The recur by a series of dams built on its main stem. N. Dak., was 13,700 ft /s, and the stage was rence interval for this peak flow was between Garrison Dam, which is located in North 14.18 ft, which is 0.23 ft higher than the record 200 and 500 years. The stage continued to rise Dakota, was built in 1952 and is the third set in 1978. The recurrence interval for the to 54.35 ft on April 22, 1997. In the mean largest dam in the United States. The reser March 24 peak flow was between 50 and 100 time, a fire demolished several buildings in voir, which forms Lake Sakakawea, has a years. On March 24, 1997, flow on the flooded downtown Grand Forks, N. Dak. maximum capacity of 24,100,000 acre-feet Cannonball River at Breien, N. Dak., was Grand Forks and its sister city, East Grand (acre-ft) and is managed by the U.S. Army 27,800 ft3/s, and the stage was 20.28 ft, which Forks, Minn., were completely evacuated by Corps of Engineers who regulates the release is about 2 ft less than the peak of record. The this time. On April 25,1997, flow on the Red of water from the dam. The dams were built, recurrence interval for the March 24 peak flow River at Drayton, N. Dak., was 123,000 ft3/s, in part, to control flooding on the Missouri was between 25 and 50 years. The Cannonball and the stage was 45.56 ft, which is 1.90 ft River. River was responsible for flooding areas in higher than the record set in 1979. The recur In 1997. spring runoff began earlier in Mott, N. Dak. rence interval for the April 25 peak flow was western and central North Dakota than in between 200 and 500 years. The headwaters of the James River are in eastern North Dakota. Flow from rivers and central North Dakota. The river flows south In addition to flow on the main stem, peak streams tributary to the Missouri River caused flow on many rivers and streams tributary to the stage of the Missouri River at Bismarck, through South Dakota before flowing into the the Red River had 10-year or greater recur N. Dak., to continually increase through the Missouri River. Since 1993, many areas along rence intervals during the 1997 floods. The spring and early summer. Because of heavy the James River experienced flooding. On recurrence interval for flow on the Bois de snowpack in the northern Rocky Mountains April 9 1997, flow on the James River at Sioux River near White Rock, S. Dak., was and a late spring thaw, high flow continued Jamestown, N. Dak., was 1,450 fr/s, and the between 200 and 500 years, and the recurrence through mid-summer. On July 25,1997, the stage was 10.54 ft. The recurrence interval for interval for flow on the Wild Rice River at peak stage at Bismarck was 14.00 ft, which is this peak flow was between 10 and 25 years. Twin Valley, Minn., was between 100 and 200 0.24 ft less than the post-Garrison Dam record On April 19,1997, flow on the James River at years. The recurrence interval for flow on the set on December 18, 1979. Flow on July 25, Dakota Lake Dam near Ludden, N. Dak., was Red Lake River at Crookston, Minn., was 1997, was 59,600 ft3/s, which was the second 4,980 ft3/s, and the stage was 15.24 ft, which between 50 and 100 years. The Red Lake highest flow since the completion of Garrison is 1.27 ft higher than the record set in 1996. River normally accounts for almost 35 percent Dam. The recurrence interval for the peak The recurrence interval for the April 19 peak of the Red River's flow. flow was between 50 and 100 years. In order flow was between 25 and 50 years. Devils Lake is a closed subbasin within to accommodate the higher flow through the the Red River Basin. Devils Lake discharges main-stem system, the U.S. Army Corps of no water until the lake level reaches 1,457 ft Engineers continued releasing about 59,000 In the Red River Basin, the USGS works above sea level (asl), the lowest outlet eleva ft3/s at Garrison Dam for several weeks. in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, tion. Since 1993, the lake level has risen In addition to flow on the main stem, peak rapidly in response to above-normal pre flow on many rivers and streams tributary to International Joint Commission of the U.S. cipitation and runoff. The rising water has the Missouri River had recurrence intervals State Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife inundated homes, businesses, and agricultural exceeding 10 years Ice jams on many of the Service, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, lands and has caused roads to be closed. On rivers and streams caused flooding in several Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, April 16,1997, Devils Lake reached 1,438.4 ft areas in western and central North Dakota. North Dakota State Water Commission, North asl, equaling the previous record set in 1867. The Knife River flooded several homes in Dakota Department of Health, Cass County Because of the heavy runoff this spring, the Beulah, N. Dak. On March 23, 1997, flow on Joint Water Resource District, Devils Lake lake level continued rising to 1,442.97 ft asl on the Knife River at Hazen, N. Dak., was 20,400 Basin Joint Water Resource Board, Red River July 26,1997, the highest level in at least 130 ftrVs, and the stage was 26.93 ft, which is Joint Water Management Board, Red River years. 0.08 ft less than the record set in 1966. The Watershed Management Board, and Southeast recurrence interval for the March 23 peak flow Cass Water Resources District. Missouri River Basin The Missouri River Basin includes For additional information on the 1997 flood and related topics, contact the following Internet sites; western and central North Dakota. The headwaters of the Missouri River are in USGS, North Dakota District http://srvldndbmk.cr.usgs.gov Montana and Wyoming, and the mouth is in North Dakota State Water Commission http://water.swc.state.nd.us eastern Missouri. Of the 529,000 mi2 in the North Dakota State University http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/fargoflood basin, about 9 percent are located in North University of Minnesota, State Climatologist http://www.soils.agri.umn.edu/research/climatology Dakota. The Missouri River flows into North University of North Dakota http://www.rwic.und.edu/flood
For more information contact any of the following: For water information: For more information on all USGS Additional earth science information District Chief reports and products (including maps, can be found by accessing the USGS 821 East Interstate Avenue images, and computerized data), call "Home Page" on the World Wide Web at Bismarck, ND 5 8501 1-800-USA-MAPS. "http://www.usgs.gov". (701)250-4601
U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Kathleen M. Macek-Rowland, 1997 Open-File Report 97-575