Metro Area Flood Meeting

The group charged with picking the best form of permanent flood protection has less than a month to decide. The metro flood study group got rid of some options, and asked the U.S. army corps of engineers to take a closer look at other options.

The permanent option will not just be a series of permanent levees and home buyouts. The group officially took that option off the table, preferring to focus on a diversion, and many members hope that a diversion can be dug on the North Dakota side of the river.

A group charged with bringing permanent flood protection to town, had a message for engineers. “We're hoping something can be worked out on the North Dakota side.”

They want more study done on a plan to divert the river through North Dakota. So far, the corps of engineers has said a diversion in Minnesota is the most cost-effective option.

Snyder “So we're looking at about a 13.5 foot reduction in stage with that largest diversion channel in place.”

Wimmer “I think our tolerance level is to pay a little more and get a little more.”

If the project is going to meet the cost-benefit threshold required to have the federal government pay for most of the billion dollar project, engineers will have to find some more benefits to a North Dakota diversion than they've found so far.

Snyder “But there's so many uncertainties on that side that we couldn't really promise that we'll find any options on there no matter what the size.”

In addition to asking for more study of a diversion in North Dakota, members also made it clear they want any final plan to be effective enough to protect the city from a 500-year flood. The number they gave was 35-feet. So, during a 500-year flood, the Red River shouldn't get higher than about 35-feet in Fargo-Moorhead.

You'll probably remember this spring, the Red hit nearly 41-feet. So they want to make sure any flood is manageable. Yes, they're not saying they don't want to have to do any sandbagging or dike building; they just want it to be more manageable than it was this spring.

MORE FROM KVLY-TV

KVLY-TV Section Front

River Rescue Fort Hood Funeral Authorities ID man, woman found dead in ND home FAA transcripts show efforts to reach flight 188 ND retailer sells lotto ticket worth $1.6 million KVLY-TV Section Front   Add KVLY-TV headlines to your news reader: