The purpose of this study is to gather 444 river miles of main stem channel bathymetry data from White Rock Dam to the Canadian border for the Bois de Sioux and Red River of the North. The data will be combined with terrestrial light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data of the adjacent terrain to provide a seamless elevation dataset for planning studies.

Location

The Red River of the North rises in Lake Traverse near Wheaton, Minnesota, and flows north toward Canada and ultimately to Lake Winnipeg. This is a basin-wide study in Minnesota and North Dakota.

Description

The North Dakota Department of Water Resources requested that a comprehensive elevation dataset be produced for various types of computer modeling and Geographic Information System (GIS) analyses. This part of the effort involves gathering 444 river miles of main stem channel bathymetry data from White Rock Dam to the Canadian border for the Bois de Sioux and Red River of the North. That data will be combined with terrestrial LiDAR data of the adjacent terrain to provide a comprehensive planning tool.

Project tasks include obtaining the hydrographic survey data and combining it with existing terrestrial data into one GIS-based elevation model.

Status

A partnership agreement was executed between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the sponsor, North Dakota Department of Water Resources, in January 2023. Project cost estimate was determined to be insufficient to complete scope of project. An amended cost shared agreement was approved in April 2024. Project is in progress and will be completed in fall 2024.

Authority

This work is authorized under Section 22 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-251), as amended. The study is being conducted under USACE’s Planning Assistance to States program, following a 50/50 cost-share formula with the nonfederal sponsor.