Significant rises on the Red River will occur this weekend.
The Red River will continue to rise into next week, reaching major flood stage in some areas.
As of April 26, National Weather Service hydrologists expect water levels to reach major stages along the Red River during late April into early May, due to melting snow and minor rainfall events.
A gradual crest is forecast on the river next week at Fargo, barring any heavy rainfall. A crest would not occur until late next week or later farther downstream to the Canada border.
More information on official river forecasts and flooding is available at the National Weather Service.
Spring flooding is not uncommon for the river which flows across a vast plain. There are not steep hillsides to contain the river. During a flooding event, when left unchecked, the river can stretch for hundreds of square miles beyond its banks.
The river also flows from south to north from a warmer climate to a colder climate, which can amplify flooding in certain situations, such as from ice jams or heavy rain in one part combined with heavy snow in another.
According to the Associated Press, preparations have been under way to protect the cities of Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn., to a river level of 41 feet. However, flooding of unprotected areas begins well below this level.
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