Hydrologic Outlook
Issued by NWS Eastern North Dakota/Grand Forks, ND
2 of 2 available versions  Next Hydrologic Outlook Latest Hydrologic Outlook  Print this page Close this Window

NOTE: This product is more than 24 hours old.
000 FGUS73 KFGF 281745 ESFFGF MNC005-007-027-029-051-057-069-077-087-089-107-111-113- 119-125-135-159-167-NDC003-005-017-019-027-035-039-063- 067-071-073-077-081-091-095-097-099-281200- Probabilistic Hydrologic Outlook National Weather Service Eastern Grand Forks ND 1245 PM CDT Thu Mar 28 2024 ...RED RIVER BASIN OUTLOOK FOR RIVER FLOOD POTENTIAL... This outlook covers the Red River of the North and its Minnesota and North Dakota tributaries. Probabilistic Hydrologic Outlooks now use 69 years (1949-2018) of past weather, temperature, and precipitation for the ensemble predictive hydrographs used in calculating the probabilities of exceeding a river level for the valid period of the outlook. Outlook Schedule - The National Weather Service in Grand Forks, North Dakota will be providing the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Services (AHPS) Long-Range Probabilistic Hydrologic Outlooks for the Red River of the North and its Minnesota and North Dakota tributaries according to the following schedule: - Near the end of the month throughout the year, except for... - The Spring Flood and Water Resources Outlooks that will be issued at least twice a month during the spring snowmelt season beginning in mid-to-late February or early March. The following message has three river data sections: - The first (Table 1) gives the current and normal/historical chances of river locations reaching their minor, moderate, and major flood categories. - The second (Table 2) gives the current chances of river locations rising above the river stages listed. - The third (Table 3) gives the current chances of river locations falling below the river stages listed. In Table 1 below, the current (CS) and historical (HS), or normal, probabilities of exceeding minor, moderate, and major flood stages are listed for the valid time period. - CS values indicate the probability of reaching a flood category based on current conditions. - HS values indicate the probability of reaching a flood category based on historical, or normal, conditions. - When the value of CS is greater than HS, the probability of exceeding that level is higher than normal. When the value of CS is less than HS, the probability of exceeding that level is lower than normal. ...Table 1--Probabilities for Minor, Moderate, and Major Flooding... Valid Period: 04/01/2024 - 06/30/2024 : Current and Historical : Chances of Exceeding : Flood Categories : as a Percentage (%) Categorical : Flood Stages (ft) : Minor Moderate Major Location Minor Mod Major : CS HS CS HS CS HS -------- ------ ------ ------ : --- --- --- --- --- --- Red River of the North..... Wahpeton 11.0 13.0 15.0 : 67 65 34 38 <5 18 Hickson 30.0 34.0 38.0 : 24 31 <5 16 <5 <5 Fargo 18.0 25.0 30.0 : 82 84 40 40 18 27 Halstad 26.0 32.0 37.5 : 28 38 9 23 <5 12 Grand Forks 28.0 40.0 46.0 : 40 61 10 33 <5 11 Oslo 26.0 30.0 36.0 : 48 66 36 57 <5 18 Drayton 32.0 38.0 42.0 : 20 49 10 35 <5 12 Pembina 39.0 44.0 49.0 : 20 52 11 43 <5 22 : Current and Historical : Chances of Exceeding : Flood Categories : as a Percentage (%) Categorical : Flood Stages (ft) : Minor Moderate Major Location Minor Mod Major : CS HS CS HS CS HS -------- ------ ------ ------ : --- --- --- --- --- --- Minnesota Tributaries..... Sabin 13.0 15.0 19.0 : 45 59 8 18 <5 <5 Hawley 8.0 9.0 11.0 : 17 37 7 23 <5 <5 Dilworth 13.0 20.0 26.0 : 57 71 9 23 <5 <5 Twin Valley 10.0 12.0 14.0 : <5 17 <5 7 <5 <5 Hendrum 20.0 28.0 32.0 : 41 56 13 23 <5 6 Shelly 14.0 20.0 23.0 : <5 26 <5 10 <5 <5 Climax 20.0 25.0 30.0 : 7 26 <5 12 <5 8 High Landing 12.0 12.5 13.0 : <5 12 <5 9 <5 7 Crookston 15.0 20.0 23.0 : 19 51 <5 28 <5 8 Above Warren 67.0 71.0 75.0 : <5 10 <5 <5 <5 <5 Alvarado 106.0 108.0 110.0 : 14 28 <5 17 <5 <5 Hallock 802.0 806.0 810.0 : 32 60 12 44 <5 11 Roseau 16.0 18.0 19.0 : 6 22 <5 13 <5 8 Note: The Roseau numbers consider the flow thru its diversion : Current and Historical : Chances of Exceeding : Flood Categories : as a Percentage (%) Categorical : Flood Stages (ft) : Minor Moderate Major Location Minor Mod Major : CS HS CS HS CS HS -------- ------ ------ ------ : --- --- --- --- --- --- North Dakota Tributaries..... Abercrombie 20.0 22.0 28.0 : 56 45 47 34 10 20 Valley City 15.0 16.0 17.0 : <5 10 <5 7 <5 6 Lisbon 15.0 17.0 19.0 : <5 11 <5 10 <5 8 Kindred 16.0 19.0 20.5 : 8 21 7 11 <5 10 West Fargo Dvsn 18.0 20.0 21.0 : 6 12 <5 11 <5 10 Harwood 84.0 86.0 91.0 : 13 27 8 20 <5 10 Enderlin 9.5 12.0 14.0 : 16 24 5 11 <5 <5 Mapleton 18.0 21.0 23.0 : 41 38 13 18 <5 5 Hillsboro 10.0 13.0 16.0 : <5 19 <5 10 <5 <5 Minto 6.0 8.0 11.0 : <5 25 <5 7 <5 <5 Walhalla 11.0 16.0 18.0 : <5 21 <5 <5 <5 <5 Neche 18.0 19.0 20.5 : <5 27 <5 26 <5 20 LEGEND: CS = Conditional Simulation (outlook for current conditions) HS = Historical Simulation ( " " normal conditions) ft = feet (above gage zero datum) In Table 2 below, the 95 through 5 percent columns indicate the probability of exceeding the listed stage levels (ft) for the valid time period at the locations listed. Interpretation Aid: The flood stage for Wahpeton on the Red River of the North is 11 feet. There is a 50 percent chance that it will rise above 11.6 feet and only a 10 percent chance that it will rise above 14.4 feet. ...Table 2--Exceedance Probabilities... Valid Period: 04/01/2024 - 06/30/2024 LOCATION 95% 90% 75% 50% 25% 10% 05% -------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Red River of the North..... Wahpeton 8.6 9.2 10.7 11.6 13.4 14.4 14.9 Hickson 14.9 15.9 19.5 24.0 29.0 32.1 33.0 Fargo 16.6 17.1 19.4 23.8 28.2 32.9 33.6 Halstad 10.3 11.0 13.7 20.0 26.6 31.3 35.0 Grand Forks 17.9 18.5 20.1 24.8 32.1 40.1 42.6 Oslo 11.7 13.2 17.2 25.1 32.2 34.8 35.6 Drayton 14.7 15.6 18.4 24.7 30.4 38.0 40.1 Pembina 16.8 19.1 23.8 31.8 37.4 45.6 47.5 Minnesota Tribs: 95% 90% 75% 50% 25% 10% 05% -------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ South Fork Buffalo River..... Sabin 8.3 9.1 11.1 12.8 14.0 14.8 15.2 Buffalo River..... Hawley 4.0 4.3 5.2 6.1 7.5 8.6 9.1 Dilworth 6.2 7.5 10.3 14.3 18.3 19.8 21.1 Wild Rice River..... Twin Valley 3.0 3.4 4.0 5.1 7.1 8.9 9.7 Hendrum 6.6 7.7 11.9 18.3 23.8 28.5 29.2 Marsh River..... Shelly 4.6 4.9 5.7 8.0 9.9 13.0 13.8 Sand Hill River..... Climax 5.6 6.2 7.4 8.7 12.4 18.3 21.7 Red Lake River..... High Landing 2.6 2.8 3.5 4.4 6.0 7.8 8.7 Crookston 5.2 5.7 7.7 9.7 14.1 17.7 19.8 Snake River..... Above Warren 61.7 61.9 62.2 63.1 64.1 65.2 66.1 Alvarado 97.2 97.2 98.1 100.2 104.1 106.5 107.6 Two Rivers River..... Hallock 794.3 795.2 797.1 799.9 803.0 806.5 807.8 Roseau River..... considering the flow thru the Roseau diversion Roseau 6.1 6.1 7.5 8.8 10.4 12.2 16.5 North Dakota Tribs: 95% 90% 75% 50% 25% 10% 05% -------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Wild Rice River..... Abercrombie 12.2 12.9 15.5 21.0 25.0 27.9 28.9 Sheyenne River..... Valley City 4.3 4.8 5.6 7.1 9.0 11.3 12.3 Lisbon 3.0 3.4 4.3 6.5 8.5 11.2 14.5 Kindred 3.6 4.2 5.9 9.3 11.2 13.8 19.1 West Fargo Dvsn 7.5 8.4 8.7 10.9 12.9 14.9 18.9 Harwood 70.6 71.7 73.5 77.3 81.5 84.6 90.9 Maple River..... Enderlin 4.3 4.6 5.5 7.0 8.5 10.1 12.0 Mapleton 9.7 10.3 11.8 16.1 19.8 21.5 22.4 Goose River..... Hillsboro 2.1 2.1 2.8 3.9 5.0 7.5 8.0 Forest River..... Minto 1.5 1.5 1.8 2.5 3.5 4.8 5.9 Pembina River..... Walhalla 2.7 2.7 2.8 3.6 4.8 6.3 7.5 Neche 4.0 4.0 4.0 5.6 8.2 11.4 13.8 In Table 3 below, the 95 through 5 percent columns indicate the probability of falling below the listed stage levels (ft) for the valid time period at the locations listed. Interpretation Aid: The flood stage for Wahpeton on the Red River of the North is 11 feet. There is a 50 percent chance that it will fall below 4.9 feet and only a 10 percent chance that it will fall below 3.7 feet. ...Table 3--Non-Exceedance Probabilities... Valid Period: 04/01/2024 - 06/30/2024 LOCATION 95% 90% 75% 50% 25% 10% 05% -------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Red River of the North..... Wahpeton 6.4 6.4 5.8 4.9 4.5 3.7 3.5 Hickson 12.3 12.3 11.8 11.0 10.7 10.1 10.0 Fargo 15.5 15.4 15.2 14.7 14.5 14.0 13.9 Halstad 6.5 6.3 6.2 5.4 4.6 3.5 3.2 Grand Forks 16.6 16.6 16.6 16.2 15.8 15.4 15.2 Oslo 8.7 8.6 8.6 7.7 6.9 6.0 4.8 Drayton 13.6 13.5 13.3 12.7 12.2 11.9 11.5 Pembina 14.9 14.7 13.6 12.3 11.4 10.5 9.8 Minnesota Tribs: 95% 90% 75% 50% 25% 10% 05% -------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ South Fork Buffalo River..... Sabin 5.2 5.2 5.1 4.8 4.6 4.4 4.2 Buffalo River..... Hawley 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.1 Dilworth 4.3 4.2 4.0 3.6 3.3 3.0 2.9 Wild Rice River..... Twin Valley 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.2 1.8 1.6 Hendrum 2.7 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.1 1.9 1.8 Marsh River..... Shelly 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.0 3.9 3.8 3.8 Sand Hill River..... Climax 4.9 4.8 4.8 4.4 4.1 3.8 3.7 Red Lake River..... High Landing 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.2 1.7 1.1 0.4 Crookston 5.1 5.0 4.7 4.2 3.6 3.1 2.9 Snake River..... Above Warren 61.6 61.5 61.4 61.2 61.0 60.9 60.8 Alvarado 97.2 97.1 96.8 96.3 95.9 95.7 95.5 Two Rivers River..... Hallock 794.2 794.0 793.7 793.1 792.6 792.2 792.0 Roseau River..... considering the flow thru the Roseau diversion Roseau 5.9 5.8 5.8 5.5 5.1 4.4 4.4 North Dakota Tribs: 95% 90% 75% 50% 25% 10% 05% -------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Wild Rice River..... Abercrombie 10.7 10.7 10.5 10.4 10.2 10.0 9.7 Sheyenne River..... Valley City 3.9 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.5 Lisbon 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.3 Kindred 3.2 3.0 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.4 West Fargo Dvsn 6.7 6.6 6.4 6.2 6.0 5.8 5.7 Harwood 69.1 68.9 68.6 67.7 67.5 67.1 66.9 Maple River..... Enderlin 2.7 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 Mapleton 8.6 8.4 8.2 8.1 8.1 8.0 8.0 Goose River..... Hillsboro 2.1 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.7 Forest River..... Minto 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.2 Pembina River..... Walhalla 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.5 1.4 1.1 1.1 Neche 3.7 3.2 2.5 1.7 1.4 1.3 1.3 .THE OUTLOOK PRODUCTION PROCESS... This long-range probabilistic outlook is based on a series of peak river levels or crests taken from the forecast hydrograph results of the NWS Community Hydrologic Prediction System (CHPS). The model is run for multiple scenarios starting at current river, snow, and soil conditions using nearly 70 years of past precipitation and temperature conditions that were experienced for those past years during the timeframe of the outlook period. These crests can then be ranked from lowest to highest and assigned an exceedance probability. For example, for a series of 50 years, the lowest ranked crest has 49 crests above it. Since 95 percent of the crests are above it, it is assigned a 95 percent probability of exceedance (POE). A YouTube video on "How to Interpret River Outlook Products" is at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSoEgvsnpv4 The probabilities can be used for risk management by using them as an indication of the range of crests that may be expected during the valid period of the outlook. By providing a range of peak river level probabilities, the NWS is contributing to the area`s Impact-Based Decision Support Services that help with long-range flood planning and response readiness. This outlook is a part of NOAA`S National Weather Service`s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Services (AHPS). This outlook was produced using precipitation and temperatures for the years 1949 through 2018. .ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SOURCES... This outlook is also presented as graphs of the probability of stage exceedance for the full period and for weekly intervals during the period. These graphs, together with explanations that help in interpreting them, are available from the NWS Grand Forks AHPS web page at: www.weather.gov/grandforks or www.weather.gov/fgf then click on "Rivers and Lakes" above the map. Current river conditions for all river forecast points in the Red River of the North and Devils/Stump Lake basins are available on our web site. Also, 7-day deterministic forecasts will be issued at least once a day when river forecast locations will be at or above flood during that period. Refer to the separate Devils Lake Probabilistic Hydrologic Outlook for Devils and Stump Lakes probability of exceedance levels and low-water non-exceedance levels. If you have any questions, contact the NWS at 701-772-0720. You can follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NWSGrandForks and on Twitter at @NWSGrandForks. $$ www.weather.gov/fgf NNNN

Close this window


The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.

National Weather Service
Eastern North Dakota/Grand Forks Weather Forecast Office
4797 Technology Circle
Grand Forks, ND 58203
(701) 772-0720
Page last modified: 28-Mar-2024 5:45 PM
Disclaimer
Credits
Glossary
Privacy Policy
About Us
Career Opportunities