Today is April 1, but the rising waters of the Red River of the North watershed is no April Fool's joke for the people of Minnesota and North Dakota.
This year Mother Nature has spared the residents and cities of the Upper Minnesota River Valley thus far.
The National Weather Service in Chanhassen is not projecting flood conditions along the Minnesota. Current projections show the Minnesota River filling its banks in the Montevideo and Granite Falls area, resulting only in minimal low land flooding.
This year will not compare to the massive flooding along the Minnesota River in 1997 and 2001.
However, residents along the Minnesota-North Dakota are not going to be as fortunate this spring. The Red River is on the rise and expected to pass flood stage throughout the valley.
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Breckenridge is bracing for a 17-foot flood crest sometime on Saturday. The crest will continue northward through the Wahpeton, Fargo and Grand Forks areas through the week.
In Fargo, city crews were moving Friday to protect homes and the water treatment plant Friday from the rising river swelled with rain and rapid snowmelt.
The Fargo flood stage is 18 feet and the Red River is expected to crest near 37 feet by the end of next week.
Minnesota and North Dakota officials have prepared for the rising Red River. Emergency operations plans have been implemented in both states. In North Dakota, the National Guard has been placed on alert.
The news of rising waters brings back memories for citizens along the Red and the Minnesota rivers. These memories are not pleasant for many.
However, one of the good things to remember is how the citizens and volunteers in cities like Montevideo and Granite Falls worked together to battle the waters of the rising Minnesota. The same was true along the Red.
In addition, the cities damaged by the flood waters from, Granite Falls to Grand Forks and north, have bounced back. The rebuilding efforts are still continuing.
As the weekend progresses, take a minute to remember the bravery and hard work of the floods past.
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Finally, keep some sunshine in your prayers for the coming week as we all watch the rising waters of our rivers.
