1. 4th International Symposium on Flood Defence Toronto, Canada May 6, 2008 1997 Red River of the North Flood 10 Years Later

2. PRESENTATION SUMMARY Introduction Introduction – Overview (Mike Ryan) Geography Geography – Living with the Red (M. Clamen) Conclusions and Recommendations Conclusions and Recommendations Accomplishment's Accomplishment's – Improvements in Flood Forecasting (D. Luna) Mitigation (Structural/non-structural/Policy/Legislation changes) Mitigation (Structural/non-structural/Policy/Legislation changes) – North of the Border Manitoba (D. McNeil)Manitoba (D. McNeil) – South of the Border US Federal (J. DeHarnais)US Federal (J. DeHarnais) US State (D. Frink)US State (D. Frink) Summary Summary – What’s next? (M. Ryan) Questions Questions Introduction - Overview

3. WHERE IS THE RED RIVER OF THE NORTH? FARGO/MOORHEAD GRANDFORKS EAST GRAND FORKS EMERSON WINNIPEG LAKE WINNIPEG Introduction - Overview

4. Red River Basin Characteristics Introduction - Overview Formed by glacial Lake Agassiz –Basin is characterized as glaciated plain with moraines, lakes, wetlands, and lake plains Covers 45,000 mi 2 (116,500 km 2 ) –About 90% of area in US (40,000 mi 2 or 103,600 km 2 ) River meanders northward for 551 mi (887 km) –The river path is nearly double the straight-line distance Red River Floodplain – 60 mi wide (100 km) at the widest point

5. Red River Basin Characteristics Introduction - Overview Basin remarkably flat Drops 229 ft (69 m) over length Average of 0.4 ft/mi (0.08 m/km)

6. Daily flows –Maximum: 133,000 ft 3 /s (3,770 m 3 /s) April 26, 1997 –Mean: 4,050 ft 3 /s (155 m 3 /s) –Minimum: 0.9 ft 3 /s (0.0255 m 3 /s) February 2, 1937 Red River Flow Characteristics Introduction - Overview

7. Red River Flooding in 1997 Introduction - Overview

8. Annual Maximum Peak Streamflow for Red River of the North at Grand Forks, ND Introduction - Overview Red River Flooding in 1997

9. Red River Flooding in 1997 What caused the flooding ? Substantial precipitation in fall of 1996 Early freezing of saturated ground in fall of 1996 Snowfall 300% or more of normal  Fargo…..117 in (297 cm)  Grand Forks…..98 in (249 cm)  Winnipeg…..90 in (228 cm) Melt of Snow pack and thawing of ice began in late March Melt inhibited by late-spring blizzard on April 5-6, 1997  Wind-driven rain and sleet  Severe drop in temperatures  Winds to 70 mph (133 kph)  Up to 2 ft (0.6 m) of snow  Wind and ice toppled trees and power lines – no power for days Introduction - Overview

10. Red River Flooding in 1997 Economic damages Physical Damage/Costs –Estimates of 2 to 3 Billion Dollars Introduction - Overview

11. Red River Flooding in 1997 Farms and Agricultural Lands Flooded Inundated Land –US 7,040 mi2 (18,200 km2) –Canada 1,700 mi2 (4,400 km2) –Almost of 20% of basin inundated at some point

12. Red River Flooding in 1997 Transportation – Disrupted BRIDGES UNDERWATERSTREETS AND ROADS FLOODED ROADS WASHED OUT Introduction - Overview

13. Red River Flooding in 1997 Grand Forks flooded Psychological Damage/Costs There are damages resulting from major floods for which a monetary value cannot be determined Often the psychological damages following a major flood are the most difficult to overcome and may remain long after the clean up and replacement effort

14. Red River Flooding in 1997 Moving Forward IJC recognizing that flooding will continue to impact the Red River basin IJC recognizing the social/economic costs associated with flooding will continue to increase Developed “Living with the Red” 7 Conclusions 28 Recommendations Introduction - Overview