The objective of this study is to identify and prioritize feasible alternatives that reduce the frequency and duration of interstate and state highway closures due to flooding of the Red River of the North. The interstate and state highway closures caused by flooding have had a substantial effect on both transportation agencies and users, forcing travelers to follow lengthy detours, limiting access across the region, and requiring roadway monitoring, cleanup, and repairs. By identifying and prioritizing feasible alternatives to reduce flood-related interstate and state highway closures, the resources needed to respond to flood events and the regional impact of flooding can be mitigated.

Location

The study area is anticipated to extend from approximately Grand Forks, North Dakota, to the Canadian border along the Red River of the North.

Description

The North Dakota and Minnesota Departments of Transportation (DOTs) requested a comprehensive water resource plan to identify and prioritize feasible alternatives to reduce the frequency and duration of road closures due to Red River of the North flooding.

The Northern Red River Flood Study will evaluate existing conditions to establish a baseline understanding of the flooding impacts of the study area along the river. The study will identify and evaluate alternatives and mitigation strategies to alleviate impacts of flooding on interstate and state highways within the region. The hydraulic model will cover the transportation corridors of interest and set boundary conditions farther in the watershed to reduce boundary condition effects. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will leverage Hydrologic Engineering Center's River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) one-dimensional/two-dimensional unsteady models that were developed as part of the Lower Red River Basin Retention Study. Three separate HEC-RAS models were developed as part of that study, and the two northernmost models will be used and combined for this current study: (1) Grand Forks to Drayton, North Dakota, and (2) Drayton, North Dakota, to Letellier, Manitoba. The exact limits of the study area will be refined as part of the hydraulic modeling and analysis performed by USACE.

Status

A partnership agreement was executed between USACE and the sponsors (North Dakota and Minnesota DOTs) in July 2024. USACE is currently developing the hydrology and hydraulics models.

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 (PAS) program, following a 50/50 cost-share formula with the nonfederal sponsor. The sponsor may contribute additional funds beyond this formula.

Funding

The following is a summary of the funds required for the Northern Red River Flood Study PAS Project. North Dakota and Minnesota are each providing $257,474 toward the total cost share partner funds:

Total federal funds $514,948
Total cost share partner funds $514,948
Total study cost $1,029,896