The 1997 Red River floods were a major flood that occurred in April and May 1997 along the North Red River in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Manitoba. This is the most severe river flood since 1826. Flood reaches the entire Red River Valley, affecting the cities of Fargo and Winnipeg, but not as much as Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, where flood waters reach more than 3 miles (4.8 km ). Ã, km) inland. They flooded almost everything in the twin community. The total damage to the Red River area is US $ 3.5 billion. Flooding is the result of abundant snowfall and extreme temperatures.
Floods in Manitoba resulted in over $ 500 million of damage. The Red River Floodway, an artificial waterway that was completed in 1968 and known as "Ditch Duff", diverted several floods around Winnipeg, saving him from the flood. As a result of the 1997 floods and extensive property losses, the United States and state governments made additional improvements to flood protection systems in North Dakota and Minnesota. They transformed the former development site on the floodplain on both sides of the river to the Greater Grand Forks Greenway, providing year-round recreation for residents as well as a natural way to absorb floods. The embankment system was built to protect the Forks' twin cities.
At Grand Forks, thousands of people, including Air Force personnel from the Grand Forks Air Force Base, tried to prepare for the 1997 flood by building sandbag dikes. These dikes are built on an estimated 49 foot flood set by the National Weather Service. This river reaches 54 feet in Grand Forks. The mayor of Grand Forks, Pat Owens had to order the evacuation of more than 50,000 people, mostly city dwellers, due to the vast area flooded. The big fire started in Grand Forks, swallowing eleven buildings and sixty apartment units before being extinguished.
Those affected by the floods in the US receive donations from all countries, along with billions of dollars in federal aid. City officials and flood fortune-tellers were criticized for their approximate differences and actual flood levels.
As a result, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) works with the cities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks to clean up housing and business development from large floodplain areas, due to the certainty of future regional flooding. A new embankment system is built beyond these on both sides of the river to prevent damage to cities from future floods. They also rebuild the floodplains along the river as the Great Fork of the Greenway, including some parks, the camping grounds of the Minnesota state campground, and a 20 mile biking path and on foot.
Video 1997 Red River flood
Previous flood
The North Red River has flooded repeatedly over the centuries. Very prone to spring flooding due to its flow to the north, former lake lake is almost flat in the valley, and ice formation in the river. As spring approached, the snow melted from south to north in the same direction as the river. Sometimes the high water meets the ice in the river and goes back up, spreading out from the bank. The flatness of the vast plains, formed from the base of ancient lakes, and the low slope of the river also contribute to the great floods in the region.
Serious floods occurred in 1948 and 1950. The 1950 flood reached a height of 30 feet (9.2 m) in Winnipeg and caused the greatest evacuation in Canadian history: an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 people had to be evacuated. Estimated damage of $ 606 million CAD (1997). After that, the Manitoba government and the Canadian federal government built flood safety measures.
The first known records of floods along the Red River are documented in the 1770s. Severe floods have occurred throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, including in 1979. Residents and officials wrongly suspect that a safe house in 1979 will be beyond the reach of future floods.
Maps 1997 Red River flood
Impact
North Dakota and Minnesota
The Red River forms the border between Minnesota and North Dakota. Several sets of "twin cities" thrive along opposite sides of the river. Grand Forks, North Dakota and its partner East Grand Forks, Minnesota, were the worst-hit couple in 1997. Fargo, North Dakota/Moorhead, Minnesota (Fargo-Moorhead) and Wahpeton, North Dakota/Breckenridge, Minnesota also experienced massive flooding. Most of the floods accumulated not only because of the rising river surface, but also from the ground flood, because the melt water does not flow out. The temporary dikes are erected along the river banks and around the suburbs, but are sometimes overwhelmed.
It is difficult for cities to prepare for such a big flood. The National Weather Service (NWS) has estimated that the river will peak at 49 feet (14.9 m), which is the highest level during the 1979 floods. The cities have built the dikes to this level, but the river continues to pass through. Surprised, the NWS did not increase its forecast until April 16, the day when the river reached 49 feet.
The embankments in Lincoln Drive's low-lying neighborhood in Grand Forks were the first to break down, doing so early on April 18, as the river continues to rise. The other dikes at Grand Forks and East Grand Forks failed that day and the next day, flooding thousands of homes. During this time, Grand Forks Mayor Pat Owens ordered the evacuation of more than 50,000 people, mostly city dwellers. This is the largest evacuation in the United States since the evacuation of the population in Atlanta, Georgia during the Civil War.
Water reaches more than two miles (3 km) inland from the Red River, requiring the evacuation of all East Grand Forks and 75% of Grand Forks. Schools were canceled in both cities for the rest of the semester, such as classes at North Dakota University. All transportation is cut off between two cities (and for several miles, both states). East Grand Forks residents were evacuated to nearby Crookston, to the University of Minnesota Crookston. Residents of Grand Forks were given mandatory evacuation orders on April 18, and retreated to the Grand Forks Air Force Base (residents live in airplane hangars, supplied with more than 3,000 beds). Many residents were also evacuated to motels and homes in remote communities.
The river reached 54.35 feet (16.6 m) on 21 April, and the river level did not fall below 49 feet (14.9 m) until 26 April. Because water flows very slowly from the lowest areas, some homeowners can not visit their damaged property until May. As of May 30, the Red River has subsided under the flood stage everywhere in North Dakota.
Manitoba
The province of Manitoba completed the Red River Floodway in 1968 after six years of development, built permanent dikes in eight towns south of Winnipeg, and built clay dikes and dyke dams in the Winnipeg area. Other flood control structures completed later are Portage and Shellmouth Shelter on the Assiniboine River. Even with these flood protection measures, in 1997 the province was flooded at an altitude of 21.6 feet (6.6 m). This left 28,000 people evacuated and CAD $ 500 million in property and infrastructure damage.
Flood 1997 is 100 years flood. It is near the flood protection system in Winnipeg. At that time, Winnipeg Floodway was designed to protect against the flow of 60,000 cuÃ, ft/s (1,700 m 3 /s), but the 1997 stream was 63,000 cuÃ, ft/s (1,800 Ã, m 3 /sec).
To compensate, the province violated operational rules for Floodway, as defined in law, on the evening of April 30 to May 1, to prevent waters in Winnipeg from rising above the designed limit of 24.5 ft (7.5 m) on top of "Datum James Avenue", but caused additional flooding upstream. The mayor of Winnipeg, announces that the design limit has been reached, misinterpreting this as good news that the flood has reached its peak. The city swung sand stopped, and the national journalists left the city, but the water continued to rise inside and outside the city until its peak at the end of May 3/early on May 4. City officials say that the peak occurred on May 1. ; the scientific report noted the peak on 3/4 May.
The cities in upstream Winnipeg, warned by recording buildings in the Grand Forks on fire and covered in water meters, built a ring embankment to protect their homes and property. The province of Manitoba called the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Police, and the provincial Department of Natural Resources. Many people choose to evacuate, including the inhabitants of Morris, who are just two days notice to evacuate to Winnipeg. Thousands of volunteers help build sandbag dikes around their homes and properties. The 42km (26 miles) dike, later called the Brunkild embankment, was built in days when officials were aware that the ground floods threatened the city of Winnipeg. It costs $ 10 million (CAD).
Almost all dike rings around cities are held, except for it at Ste. Agathe. The city's embankment system is prepared for a river that is approaching from the south, but the river has spread and the flood flooded the city from the west. At the height of the flood in Canada on May 4, the Red River occupies an area of ​​1,840 km <2 (710a, mi 2 ) with more than 2,560 km 2 (990Ã, mi 2 ) from the ground underwater, which makes it nicknamed the "Red Sea."
While floods are still ongoing, the Liberal federal government headed by Jean Chrà ©  © tien announces quick elections. Some party members of the provincial parliament, including Reg Alcock, called for delays until the floods were under control. When Chrà ©  © tien let the election take place as originally planned, Alcock transformed his campaign office into a voluntary relief center, spends time in relief efforts, not campaigns, and wins re-election.
Aftermath
In July, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrà © Å © tien and US President Bill Clinton appointed the International Red River Basin Task Force, which consists of members from both countries. The purpose of the task force is to find ways to increase flood estimates.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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