2009 Red River flood

{{main|Red River of the North#Geology}}

The Red River flows from the United States into Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. Since it flows northward, into colder climates, melting snow and river ice, as well as runoff from its tributaries, often create ice jams, which cause the river to overflow. The valley is essentially flat, leading to overland flooding, with no high ground on which to take refuge.Schwert, Don (interviewed by Tom Crann), [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/03/25/flood_plain_geology/ The geology of the Red River flood plain], Minnesota Public Radio, 25 March 2005. Taped interview.

Image:The Red River Flood Plain.jpg|The Red River flood plain. Low-elevation areas are green, while higher elevation regions are tan and white.

Image:Floods on the Red River (1).jpg|The Red River around Fargo before the 2009 floods started, as seen from space.

Image:Floods on the Red River (2).jpg|The flooded river around Fargo as seen from space.

Ground which was already saturated when it froze at the onset of winter, melting snow which could not be absorbed by the frozen ground,{{cite news

|last=Kives

|first=Bartley

|authorlink=Bartley Kives

| title =A Gathering of Waters How the Red swells on its journey to Lake Winnipeg

| url = http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/floodwatch/A-Gathering-of-Waters-42470277.html

| publisher = CBC.ca

| date = 2009-04-04

| access-date = 2009-04-06

}}

{{cite web | last = Nelson | first = Tim | title = Record flood can be traced to summer and fall rains | publisher = Minnesota Public Radio | date = March 27, 2009 | url = http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/03/27/floodforecast_timeline/ }} and additional precipitation from high winter snow fall, a rain storm on March 22 and a later snowstorm, high temperature snow melt rate, are reasons for the serious flooding.{{cite journal | date=March 17, 2009 | title=Flood fears spreading through southern Manitoba | journal=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/flood-fears-spreading-through-southern-manitoba-1.849796 | access-date=2008-03-22}}{{cite journal | first=Dave | last=Kolpack | date=March 21, 2009 | title=ND city scrambles to prepare for record flooding | journal=The Associated Press |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hTfXOcr5gkVuKz4mlVLkqXbopJtQD972KGBG0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324101242/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hTfXOcr5gkVuKz4mlVLkqXbopJtQD972KGBG0 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 24, 2009 | access-date=2008-03-22}}

A low-pressure area caused the rain storm on March 22 and by March 25 a total of {{convert|15|to|25|cm|in|round=0.5|abbr=on}} fell in the Winnipeg area, and {{convert|20|to|30|cm|in|round=0.5|abbr=on}} in southern Manitoba. In northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota, around 8 inches of snow accumulated from the same storm.{{cite journal|first=Matt|last=McKinney |author2=Bill McAuliffe |author3=Allie Shah |date=March 25, 2009 |title=In Fargo, a race against the river |journal=Star Tribune |url=http://www.startribune.com/local/41822192.html?elr=KArksUUUycaEacyU |access-date=2008-03-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329103022/http://www.startribune.com/local/41822192.html?elr=KArksUUUycaEacyU |archive-date=March 29, 2009}}

{{main|2009 North Dakota floods}}

{{Wikinews|Manitoba residents receive evacuation flood alerts | Fargo, North Dakota, prepares for record flooding}}

File:Sandbagging line Fargo 2009.JPGging volunteers in Fargo, North Dakota.]]

File:HESCOBarrierAssembleFargoMar2409.JPG were used to prevent flooding]]

Warnings for the 2009 flood occurred as early as March 9 when the National Weather Service warned that the Fargo-Moorhead area could see a significant flood of between {{convert|35|and|36|ft|m}}.{{cite journal| date=March 10, 2009 | title= Fargo stands 50-50 chance of major flooding | journal=The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead}} As preparations began for the flooding on March 16, North Dakota Governor John Hoeven declared a statewide disaster in anticipation of flooding across the state.{{cite web | title=Hoeven Declares Statewide Flood Emergency | publisher=Governor of North Dakota | date=March 16, 2009 | url=http://governor.state.nd.us/media/news-releases/2009/03/090316.html | access-date=2008-03-27}} On March 19, the National Weather Service raised the predicted flood level in the Fargo area to between {{convert|37|and|40|ft|m}}. The city began filling sandbags on March 20.{{cite journal | date=March 20, 2009 | title=Fargo residents rushing to fill sandbags for flood onslaught | journal=Winnipeg Free Press}} In anticipation of a rain and snow storm, the predicted crest level was raised on March 22 to a range from {{convert|39|to|41|ft|m}}.{{cite journal|date=March 22, 2009|title=Crest predictions rise: {{convert|52.5|ft|m}} in GF; {{convert|41|ft|m}} in Fargo|journal=Grand Forks Herald |url=http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/111752/ |access-date=2008-03-27}}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Volunteers continued preparing sandbags, with 560,000 bags filled by late March 22, out of an expected 1.5 million to 2 million needed.{{cite journal | date=March 23, 2009 | title='Fear is setting in' as sandbag volunteers desperately needed in flood fight | journal=The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead |url=http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/235002/ | access-date=2008-03-23}} By March 24, residents in Fargo-Moorhead had filled over 1 million sandbags and were attempting to fill a total of 2 million by the 26th.{{cite journal | first=Chris | last=Welch | date=March 25, 2009 | title=Flood warnings issued; N. Dakota braces for record deluge | website=CNN.com |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/weather/03/25/north.dakota.flooding/index.html | access-date=2008-03-25}} A levee in Georgetown, Minnesota was raised another two feet, and emergency dikes were being built in Fargo, Moorhead, Harwood, Grafton and Richland County.{{cite journal | first=Patrick | last=Springer | date=March 22, 2009 | title=Race against time: Flood-fighting efforts intensify as storm threatens area | journal=The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead |url=http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/234861/ | access-date=2008-03-22}} The predicted flood crest was raised again on March 26, changed to between {{convert|41|and|42|ft|m}} by March 28, with a possibility of {{convert|43|ft|m}}.

File:Defense.gov photo essay 090324-F-0681L-090.jpg.]]

In addition to the sandbags, the construction of the dikes protecting the city required large amounts of clay. Clay had been brought from several places in and around the city, including the soccer field at Centennial Elementary School and around Discovery Middle School.{{Cite news | title = FLOOD UPDATE: Fargo Public Schools slated to resume next Monday | last = Smith | first = Kelly | publisher = Fargo Forum | date = 2009-03-30 | url = http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/235802/}}

Elsewhere along the river, early predictions for the Wahpeton-Breckenridge area saw a predicted level of at least {{convert|16|ft|m}}.{{cite web|agency=KVLY-TV|date=March 16, 2009|title=Wahpeton-Breckenridge Flood Outlook |website=MSNBC|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29687890/ |access-date=2008-03-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331132525/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29687890/ |archive-date=March 31, 2009}} By March 24, the National Weather Service predicted the crest in Wahpeton and Breckenridge not to top {{convert|18|ft|m}}, below the cities' levees.{{cite journal| first=Dave | last=Kolpack | date=March 24, 2009 | title=Lower projection on Red upstream may help Fargo | journal=The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead}}

In the Grand Forks, North Dakota area, flood predictions released February 27 predicted a possibility of a flood crest between {{convert|44|and|46|ft|m}}. The snowstorm that struck March 9–10 raised the predicted levels between {{convert|47|and|50|ft|m}} prompting the city to declare a state of emergency.{{cite journal|first=Ryan|last=Johnson |date=March 11, 2009 |title=New snow will impact flood outlook |journal=Grand Forks Herald |url=http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/110202/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216043658/http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/110202/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 16, 2013 |access-date=2008-03-27}} On March 22 the predicted crest level was changed to {{convert|52|ft|m}}.

File:Flooding in Manitoba (3443145093).jpg

{{Wikinews|Volunteers and food needed for flooded Manitoba, Canada}}

In Manitoba, the 2009 flood was the second worst on record since 1826. The Red River Floodway was not initially opened, due to the Red River being full of ice, which can lead to damage of the floodway and the flooding of Selkirk. The Red River Floodway was opened in early April once the ice jams cleared. Several towns and R.M.s declared a state of emergency due to the ice jams built up in places along the Red. Flooding in Manitoba was not expected until the second week of April. The CPR Line from Winnipeg to Emerson closed.

The floodway was opened around 1 p.m. on April 8 due to a crest expected to hit the city of Winnipeg. Highway 75, a major artery between Winnipeg and the U.S. border, was closed between April 7 and May 13. This closure cost Manitoba trucking companies thousands of dollars in additional travel costs and severely hurt the economy of the town of Morris.{{cite news|title=Manitoba trucking industry hurting financially from flooded highway |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-trucking-industry-hurting-financially-from-flooded-highway-1.861639 |work=CBC News |access-date=2009-05-27 |date=May 11, 2009 }}

An eight-year-old boy fell into the river on Thursday,

April 9 on the Westroc Hutterite Colony which is near Portage la Prairie.{{cite news

| title = Boy dies after being rescued from culvert

| publisher = CBC News

| date =2009-04-12

| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/boy-still-in-critical-condition-after-being-rescued-from-culvert-1.825807

| access-date =2009-04-12 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090413181602/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/boy-still-in-critical-condition-after-being-rescued-from-culvert-1.825807| archive-date= 13 April 2009 | url-status=live}}

Samuel Gross came out of his 13-day coma after being under icy cold water for 20 minutes. The team under Murray Kesselman, director of the Health Sciences Centre pediatric intensive care unit, worked on Gross's heart for two hours before it started to beat on its own and he began to recover.{{cite news

| title = Boy rescued from culvert regains consciousness

| publisher = CBC news

| date = April 23, 2009

| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/boy-rescued-from-culvert-regains-consciousness-1.838253

| access-date =2009-04-27 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090427130137/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/boy-rescued-from-culvert-regains-consciousness-1.838253| archive-date= 27 April 2009 | url-status=live}}

{{cite news

| title = Boy's recovery from near-drowning and coma a rare thrill: doctor

| work = CBC News

| date = April 24, 2009

| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/boy-s-recovery-from-near-drowning-and-coma-a-rare-thrill-doctor-1.778965

| access-date =2009-04-27 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090427152522/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/boy-s-recovery-from-near-drowning-and-coma-a-rare-thrill-doctor-1.778965| archive-date= 27 April 2009 | url-status=live}}

Walter Imbeck, 68 years old, went missing since April 11 when friends and neighbours thought he was trying to clear a broken drain behind his home, which was along the riverbank.{{cite web

| last = Matin

| first = Nick

| title = Missing man feared dead in Red River flood

| publisher = Winnipeg Free Press

| date = April 19, 2009

| url = https://edmontonjournal.com/news/Missing+feared+dead+River+flood/1512931/story.html

}}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} As of April 13, several communities north of Winnipeg had to be evacuated due to flash flooding and ice jams on the Red River. It was predicted to be the third worst flood, next to the floods of 1950 and 1997. A 79-year-old woman, Mary, died, and her 82-year-old husband, Glen Silverthorn, went missing Easter Sunday after their car was swept into the Woody River. A search commenced, and his body was found on May 19.{{cite web

|last=Sanders

|first=Carol

|author2=Bartley Kives

|author3=Jen Skerritt

|author4=Bill Redekop

|title=1 dead, 1 missing in northern Manitoba flooding

|date=April 14, 2009

|url=http://www.canada.com/News/dead+missing+northern+Manitoba+flooding/1491702/story.html

|access-date=2009-04-27

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416020110/http://www.canada.com/news/dead%2Bmissing%2Bnorthern%2BManitoba%2Bflooding/1491702/story.html

|archive-date=16 April 2009

|url-status=dead

}}

{{cite web

| last = Skerritt

| first = Jen

|author2=Bill Redekop

| title = Manitoba coping with third-worst flood of century

| publisher =Calgary Herald

| date = April 14, 2009

| url = https://calgaryherald.com/cars/Manitoba+coping+with+third+worst+flood+century/1494765/story.html

| access-date =2009-04-27 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

{{cite web

| last = Skerritt

| first = Jen

|author2=Bill Redekop

| title = Manitoba coping with third-worst flood of century

| publisher = Leader Post

| date = April 14, 2009

| url = https://leaderpost.com/news/Search+missing+Manitoba+flood+victim+continues/1494765/story.html

| access-date =2009-04-27 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

Prime Minister Stephen Harper toured the flooded area on April 14, 2009.{{cite news|title=Harper tours flooded regions in Southern Manitoba |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/harper-tours-flooded-regions-in-southern-manitoba-1.829125 |work=CBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417060856/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/harper-tours-flooded-regions-in-southern-manitoba-1.829125 |archive-date=April 17, 2009 |url-status=live |access-date=2009-05-27 |date=April 14, 2009 }} Damages were expected to be in the millions. On April 15, 2009, Winnipeg declared a local state of emergency due to several of the rivers, which flow into the Red River, swelling extremely fast.{{cite web

| last = Halusa

| first = Goran

|author2= Lorraine Remer|author-link2=Lorraine Remer

| title = Floods on the Red River

| publisher = NASA

| url = http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=38256

| access-date = 2009-04-27| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090425125934/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=38256| archive-date= 25 April 2009 | url-status=dead}}

On April 16, 2009, the Red River crested in Winnipeg at {{convert|22.6|ft|m}} before retreating. If Winnipeg had not had any flood protection, the city would have been {{convert|9.23|m|ft|sp=us}} submerged.{{cite web

| last =Turen

| first = Paul

|author2= Jason Halstead

| title = Manitoba flood second highest on record Forecast beats '50, '79 levels; only '97 was higher

| publisher = Sun Media

| date = April 16, 2009

| url = http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2009/04/16/9130476-sun.html

| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130115061107/http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2009/04/16/9130476-sun.html

| url-status = usurped

| archive-date = January 15, 2013

| access-date =2009-04-27 }} The crest from North Dakota was expected to hit either April 19 or April 20 and forced 28,000 evacuations.{{cite web

|last=Kusch

|first=Lary

|author2=Bartley Kives

|title=Flood waters swamp Manitoba, force more evacuations

|publisher=Winnipeg Free Press

|date=April 15, 2009

|url=http://www.canada.com/News/Flood+waters+swamp+Manitoba+force+more+evacuations/1498681/story.html

|access-date=2009-04-27

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419180757/http://www.canada.com/news/Flood%2Bwaters%2Bswamp%2BManitoba%2Bforce%2Bmore%2Bevacuations/1498681/story.html

|archive-date=19 April 2009

|url-status=dead

}}

{{convert|777|km2|sqmi||abbr=on}} are under water at some places {{convert|19|km|mi|sp=us}} wide as reported April 18.{{cite news

|title='Worst not over,' Manitoba tells those in flood zone

|publisher=CBC news

|date=April 18, 2009

|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/worst-not-over-manitoba-tells-those-in-flood-zone-1.812329

|access-date=2009-04-27

}} 740 people were evacuated from the Peguis First Nation, which is located north of Winnipeg. Peguis Chief Glenn Hudson said "either build a dike, or a floodway around ... I think we have to do something," {{cite web

|title=Manitoba First Nations bear brunt of flooding

|publisher=CTV News

|date=April 19, 2009

|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/manitoba-first-nations-bear-brunt-of-flooding-1.390905

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421111601/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090419/manitoba_flooding_090419/20090419?hub=Canada

|url-status=live

|archive-date=April 21, 2009

|access-date=2009-04-27

}}

Steve Ashton, minister responsible for the emergency measures organization, said that Disaster Financial Assistance was doubled to $200,000. The Federal Government was expected to assist with up to 90% of the relief, and 100% on reserves.{{cite web

| title = Manitoba doubles flood relief compensation to $200K

| publisher = Winnipeg Free Press

| date = April 20, 2009

| url = http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Manitoba+doubles+flood+relief+compensation+200K/1515819/story.html

| access-date =2009-04-27 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

{{cite news

|title=Government might buy, not rebuild, some flood-prone homes

|publisher=CBC News

|date=April 20, 2009

|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/government-might-buy-not-rebuild-some-flood-prone-homes-1.789093

|access-date=2009-04-27

}}

The province assessed whether homeowner buyouts would be voluntary or mandatory. "We'd look at voluntary buyouts as the first option, but the municipalities have raised this ...they're the ones that have to send in first responders and rescue crews," said Steve Ashton, the province's Emergency Measures Minister.{{cite web

| last = Lambert

| first = Steve

| title = Manitoba ponders whether to force flood moves

| work = The Canadian Press

| publisher = Globe and mail

| date = April 28, 2009

| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090428.FLOOD28ART2139//TPStory/National

| access-date = 2009-04-28}}

Mayor Sam Katz reported an estimated $5 million for sandbag flood prevention costs, which included making and setting into place the sandbags and patrolling them, and then removing them after the river went back down. Some roads and bridges were also damaged as a result of flooding. Peguis Chief Glen Hudson estimated the evacuation and dike construction for the first nation reserve was pegged at approximately $3 million.{{cite news

| title = Winnipeg flood clean-up expected to cost millions: mayor

| publisher = CBC news

| date = April 23, 2009

| url =https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-flood-clean-up-expected-to-cost-millions-mayor-1.798982

| access-date =2009-04-27 }}

A water quality warning went into effect, and residents who remained were advised to boil water before use. Free water analysis was provided by the Manitoba government until July.{{cite news

| title = Flood-weary Manitobans keep watch over dikes, pumps

| publisher =CBC news

| date = April 19, 2009

| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/flood-weary-manitobans-keep-watch-over-dikes-pumps-1.803325

| access-date =2009-04-27 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090422163214/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/flood-weary-manitobans-keep-watch-over-dikes-pumps-1.803325| archive-date= 22 April 2009 | url-status=live}}

On April 20, the total amount of land submerged was upgraded to {{convert|1680|km2|sqmi||abbr=on}}, and the river crest was still {{convert|60|km|mi|sp=us}} south of Winnipeg.{{cite news

| title = Manitoba flood has submerged twice as much land as previously thought 1,680 square kilometres under water; crest still moving through southern province

| publisher = CBC News

| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-flood-has-submerged-twice-as-much-land-as-previously-thought-1.823372

| access-date = 2004-04-27}}

{{clear}}

File:Fargo flood gage 2009.png reading at Fargo from March 25–April 4, showing the previous record level in red]]

File:President Obama meets with North Dakota and Minnesota representatives.jpg, at the U.S. Capitol, meets with Minnesota and North Dakota's senators and representatives about the flooding.]]

At 7:15 p.m. CDT on March 26, 2009, the river exceeded the 1997 crest of {{convert|39.57|ft|m}} at Fargo, which was the previous second-highest crest. The projected crest was {{convert|24|ft|m}} above flood stage and higher than the record-setting floods in 1997 and 1897.{{cite journal | first=Patrick | last=Springer | date=March 23, 2009 | title=Forecast flood crest earlier, higher than first thought | journal=The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead |url=http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/234981/ | access-date=2008-03-23}}

At 2:30 a.m. CDT on March 27, the National Weather Service offices in Grand Forks issued a Flash Flood Warning for extreme east-central Cass County due to a levee breach in Fargo on Lindenwood Drive.[http://www.crh.noaa.gov/fgf/ NWS Grand Forks, ND] With the river more than {{convert|6|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} above flood stage, there appeared to be a growing sense in Fargo that despite best efforts, it might not be possible to build dikes high enough to hold back the river.{{cite journal|date=March 26, 2009|title=Cold temperatures slowing rise of the Red River: U.S. forecaster |journal=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/cold-temperatures-slowing-rise-of-the-red-river-u-s-forecaster-1.832111 |access-date=2009-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416205727/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/cold-temperatures-slowing-rise-of-the-red-river-u-s-forecaster-1.832111 |archive-date=April 16, 2009 |url-status=live}} The Manitoba government upgraded the 2009 flood as the second highest to hit southern Manitoba over the last 150 years, just {{convert|60|cm|in|sp=us}} lower than the 1997 Flood of the Century.{{cite web

| last = Kusch

| first = Larry

|author2= Bartley Kives

| title = Winnipeg through the worst of flooding: officials

| publisher = The Star Phoenix

| date = April 18, 2009

| url = https://thestarphoenix.com/news/River+levels+fall+flood+risk+remains/1506279/story.html

| access-date =2009-04-27 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

The highest level in 2009 was {{convert|6.9|m|ft|sp=us}}, and in 1997 it was {{convert|7.5|m|ft|sp=us}}. However, without flood control measures such as the Red River floodway, Portage Diversion and Shellmouth dam, the peak would have been {{convert|10.2|m|ft|sp=us}}, which is higher than the 1950 peak of {{convert|9.3|m|ft|sp=us}} in Winnipeg.{{cite news

|title=Government might buy, not rebuild, some flood-prone homes

|publisher=CBC news

|date=April 20, 2009

|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/government-might-buy-not-rebuild-some-flood-prone-homes-1.789093

|access-date=2009-04-27

}}

The Red River showed signs of receding April 23, however the Souris river was expected to crest towards the end of the month of April.

{{cite web

| title =Manitoba flood waters slowly receding| publisher =Sun Media| date =April 23, 2009| url =http://www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1534962

| archive-url =https://archive.today/20130115113331/http://www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1534962

| url-status=dead

| archive-date =January 15, 2013

| access-date =2009-04-28}}

On March 25, an ice jam formed north of Winnipeg, causing the municipalities of St. Andrews, St. Clements, East St. Paul and West St. Paul to declare a state of emergency. Flooding from the ice jam necessitated the evacuation of about thirty homes.{{cite journal | date=March 26, 2009 | title=Ice jam dislodged north of Winnipeg | journal=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ice-jam-dislodged-north-of-winnipeg-1.791869 | access-date=2008-03-26}} While the jam was broken, it reformed near Lower Fort Garry, causing the water to rise {{convert|4.5|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} in 2 hours.{{cite journal| date=March 26, 2009 | title=New ice jam raising water levels, and fears, north of Winnipeg | journal=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/new-ice-jam-raising-water-levels-and-fears-north-of-winnipeg-1.805112 | access-date=2009-03-26}} On March 31, a state of emergency was declared for the city of Selkirk due to concerns over ice jams.

Dominion City was the first town in Manitoba to declare a state of emergency on Monday, March 23.{{cite news|title=Roseau River First Nation readying for flood evacuation |url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/090324/canada/canada_manitoba_mb_roseau_evacuation_12 |publisher=CBC.ca |date=2009-03-26 |access-date=2009-03-26 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Government officials handed out evacuation alerts to 850 residents. Forty homes north of Winnipeg were evacuated, while dozens of homes were flooded due to ice jams. On Thursday, March 26, some 95 elderly and special needs people were evacuated from the Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation.{{cite news|first=Puxley |last=Chinta |author2=Steve Lambert |title=Manitoba communities 'expecting the worst, hoping for the best' as floods threaten |url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090326/national/mba_flooding |publisher=The Canadian Press |date=2009-03-26 |access-date=2009-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327222842/http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090326/national/mba_flooding |archive-date=March 27, 2009 |url-status=dead }}

An engineering firm detonated charges downstream of Bismarck, North Dakota to clear an ice jam which was causing flooding in the city causing an evacuation of 1,700 persons. There were three million sandbags, rolls of poly film Hesco bastion flood walls, and water pumps sent out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to North Dakota.{{cite news

| title =Ice Jam Detonated at North Dakota Capital, Residents Evacuate

| url =http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2009/2009-03-26-091.asp

| publisher = Environment News Service (ENS)

| date = 2009-03-26

| access-date = 2009-04-06

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090329114608/http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2009/2009-03-26-091.asp| archive-date= 29 March 2009 | url-status=live}}

Both North Dakota and Manitoba used backhoes from the river bank and from bridges, but these machines had a {{convert|20|ft|m|adj=on}} reach for a {{convert|0.25|mi|km|adj=mid|-wide}} river.{{cite news

| title =Ice jam dislodged north of Winnipeg

| url =https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ice-jam-dislodged-north-of-winnipeg-1.791869

| publisher =CBC News

| date = 2009-03-26

| access-date = 2009-04-06

}}

A Chinook helicopter was deployed with a {{convert|1400|kg|lb|adj=on}} concrete weight to try to break up an ice jam, but only small pieces of ice broke away.{{cite news

| title =Snow, ice jam continue threat in Red River flood fight

| url =https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/snow-ice-jam-continue-threat-in-red-river-flood-fight-1.807214

| publisher =CBC News

| date = 2009-03-30

| access-date = 2009-03-26

}}

The North Dakota National Guard used {{convert|160|lb|kg}} of C-4 plastic explosives on the {{convert|3|ft|m|adj=mid|-thick}} ice placed into 80 holes. The ice was then coated with road salt to hasten melting. The Army Corps of Engineers also resorted to using sand, salt, chemicals and drilling to alleviate the ice jams.

{{cite news

| first = Chuck

| last = Haga

| title = No one answer to Red River's troublesome ice jams

| url = http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/04/02/7815/no_one_answer_to_red_rivers_troublesome_ice_jams

| publisher = MinnPost

| date = 2009-03-26

| access-date = 2009-03-26

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090405172310/http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/04/02/7815/no_one_answer_to_red_rivers_troublesome_ice_jams

| archive-date = 5 April 2009

| url-status=dead

| df = dmy-all

}}

The Manitoba government chose not to use dynamite, as explosives work well on large ice sheets but not as well on broken and fused ice. To set the dynamite, holes need to be drilled in the ice, which would require someone to hang suspended from a helicopter. The result of dynamite forms a hole centrally in the ice without loosening up the ice jam blockage to allow water to flow past.{{cite news

| title =Manitoba blows off dynamite as a solution to ice jams

| url =https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-blows-off-dynamite-as-a-solution-to-ice-jams-1.779632

| publisher =CBC News

| date = 2009-03-31

| access-date = 2009-04-06

}}

Manitoba purchased five new certified emergency response trailers (CERTs), which are {{convert|15|m|ft|sp=us|adj=mid|-long}} tubes with 60 compartments which can be filled with water and used to build dikes. These tubes take 10 minutes to fill up and provide the same protection as 500 sandbags.{{cite news|author=MSN news|title=Manitoba invests in new flood-fighting technology |url=http://news.sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/Local/MB/ContentPosting?newsitemid=winnipeg-mb-tube-dikes&feedname=CBC_LOCALNEWS&show=False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=True |publisher=Bell Canada, Microsoft Corporation |date=2009-03-26 |access-date=2009-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404202442/http://news.sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/Local/MB/ContentPosting?newsitemid=winnipeg-mb-tube-dikes&feedname=CBC_LOCALNEWS&show=False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=True |archive-date=April 4, 2009 |url-status=dead}}

Volunteers created over 600,000 sandbags to shore up defences against the Red River and unpredictable flows caused by ice jams.{{cite news|title=Hundreds of Manitobans work to fill sandbags to deal with floodwaters |url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/floodwatch/Hundreds-of-Manitobans-work-to-fill-sandbags-to-deal-with-floodwaters-42477902.html |publisher=The Canadian Press |date=2009-04-04 |access-date=2009-04-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409081858/http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/floodwatch/Hundreds-of-Manitobans-work-to-fill-sandbags-to-deal-with-floodwaters-42477902.html |archive-date=April 9, 2009 }}

{{cite web

| title =Red River drops as locals learn to cope with flood

| publisher = CTV news

| date = April 17, 2009

| url = http://www.ctvnews.ca/red-river-drops-as-locals-learn-to-cope-with-flood-1.390346

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090420131500/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090417/flooding_update_090417/20090417

| url-status = live

| archive-date = April 20, 2009

}}

{{Wikinews|Manitoba volunteers go to war against Red River flooding}} Dikes were placed along the shoreline within the city to protect neighbourhoods against ice jam flooding. Over 1,600 volunteers came out since April 1 to assist with creating sandbag dikes which were built {{convert|20.5|ft|m}} high. Frozen culverts and sewer inlets were cleared to allow runoff from meltwaters and floodwaters.{{cite news|last=EmergWeb Media Centre|title=Winnipeggers come out by the hundreds to volunteer! Dike-Building Continues Due to Possible Ice Jams |url=http://winnipeg.ca/emergWeb/MediaCentre.stm#090404 |publisher=City of Winnipeg |date=2009-04-04 |access-date=2009-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331050217/http://winnipeg.ca/emergWeb/MediaCentre.stm |archive-date=March 31, 2009 |url-status=dead}}

{{ external media

|float=right

| video1 =[http://www.yourdiscovery.com/video/x-machines-ice-hammer/ Amphibious icebreaker in Selkirk]

| video2 =Greg Selinger about [http://www.chrisd.ca/blog/33676/amphibex-icebreaking-machine-red-river-manitoba-flooding/ 3rd icebreaker]

}}Amphibex excavator icebreakers were at work breaking up ice flows on the Red River.[http://blogs.yourdiscovery.com/whats-new/2010/09/heavy-metal-machines.html Ice Hammer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006081420/http://blogs.yourdiscovery.com/whats-new/2010/09/heavy-metal-machines.html |date=2010-10-06 }} Discovery Channel. Accessed: 8 January 2011. Ice breakers and backhoes were to be strategically placed along the Red River Floodway, which might have needed to be opened before the ice was fully melted. Officials examined past ice jams and provided contingency plans if the Floodway jammed upstream of bridges or on tight corners.{{cite news

|last=Skerritt

|first=Jen

| title =Flood fight ramps up as Red's crest approaches

| url =http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/floodwatch/Flood-fight-ramps-up-as-Reds-crest-approaches-42480297.html

| publisher =Winnipeg Press

| date = 2009-04-04

| access-date = 2009-04-06

}}

{{Wikinews|Manitoba's flood creating hazardous conditions}} On Easter Sunday, April 12, Winnipeg was clear of ice blocks and ice jams.{{cite news

| last = Romaniuk

| first = Ross

| title = Manitoba flood thread melting away Huge blocks push up banks of Red River in Selkirk

| work = Sun Media

| publisher = Canoe.ca

| date = 2009-04-12

| url = http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2009/04/12/9091281-sun.html

| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130115120810/http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2009/04/12/9091281-sun.html

| url-status = usurped

| archive-date = January 15, 2013

| access-date = 2009-04-12 }}

Sightseers traveling by car, boat, kayak and anyone ignoring road closures were being ticketed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as they were hampering ice clearing operations.{{cite news

| title = RCMP ready to ticket Red River floodway sightseers

| publisher = CBC News

| date = 2009-04-12

| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/rcmp-ready-to-ticket-red-river-floodway-sightseers-1.854701

| access-date =2009-04-12 }}

| title = More sections of Highway 75 closed due to Red River flooding

| publisher = CBC News

| date = 2009-04-12

| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/more-sections-of-highway-75-closed-due-to-red-river-flooding-1.780139

| access-date = 2009-04-12| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090414055153/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/more-sections-of-highway-75-closed-due-to-red-river-flooding-1.780139| archive-date= 14 April 2009 | url-status=live}} Residents of the rural municipalities of St. Andrews and St. Clements were given evacuation alerts on Good Friday. Some chose to remain behind, and rescue efforts commenced for them over the Easter week-end.{{cite news

| title = Flood damage, evacuations reported as ice wall moves north of Winnipeg

| publisher = CBC News

| date = 2009-04-12

| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/flood-forces-rooftop-rescues-ice-wall-moves-north-of-winnipeg-1.790763

| access-date = 2009-04-12 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090414014259/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/flood-forces-rooftop-rescues-ice-wall-moves-north-of-winnipeg-1.790763| archive-date= 14 April 2009 | url-status=live}}

{{cite news

| title = Flood forces rooftop rescues, ice wall moves north of Winnipeg

| publisher = CBC News

| date = 2009-04-12

| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/flood-forces-rooftop-rescues-ice-wall-moves-north-of-winnipeg-1.790763

| access-date = 2009-04-12| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090414014259/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/flood-forces-rooftop-rescues-ice-wall-moves-north-of-winnipeg-1.790763| archive-date= 14 April 2009 | url-status=live}}

Homes were smashed in and knocked off their basements and footings by {{convert|7|ft|m|adj=mid|-high}} sheets of ice.

There was a 6% chance Devils Lake and Stump Lake would rise to historic levels, which could have caused problems in the Sheyenne River Valley.{{cite web |title=Devils Lake & Stump Lake Could Rise To Historic Levels on KFYR-TV North Dakota's NBC News Leader |url=http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=29063 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718104915/http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=29063 |archive-date=2011-07-18 |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-05-27 }}

Structural adaptations to the river channel or the placement of dams and ice booms would control where ice jams would form. Hairpin curves and bridges are problem areas for the jamming of ice. Following the 1997 Red River flood, Grand Forks and East Grand Forks smoothed out some of the river curves in those cities. Rural municipality reeves have approached the Canadian government with a CA$288,000 plan which would use the province of Manitoba's existing Amphibex ice-breaking excavators to dredge the Red River between Selkirk and the mouth of Lake Winnipeg.{{cite news

| first = Bruce

| last = Owen

| title =Dredge the Red, reeves urge feds Would reduce ice jams on river, leaders say

| url =http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/dredge-the-red-reeves-urge-feds-41482922.html

| publisher =MinnPost

| date = 2009-03-19

| access-date = 2009-04-06

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090325235350/http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/dredge-the-red-reeves-urge-feds-41482922.html| archive-date= 25 March 2009 | url-status=live}}

• Red River Flood (disambiguation)
• Red River Floodway

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=fgf National Weather Service – River Gauges for the Red River Valley]
• [http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nd/nwis/uv/?site_no=05054000 USGS Real-Time Water Data for Red River of the North at Fargo ND], including gage height and discharge rate
• {{Cite web |url=http://www.fema.gov/midwestfloods |title=FEMA 2009 Red River Flooding Response |access-date=2009-04-27 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20100320154106/http://www.fema.gov/midwestfloods |archive-date=2010-03-20 |url-status=bot: unknown }}
• [http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/red_river_flooding.html Boston.com Big Picture series]
• {{Cite web |url=http://earth.physics.ndsu.nodak.edu/wiki/Main_Page |title=A wiki which has been set up to facilitate information exchange during the flood |access-date=2009-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331121243/http://earth.physics.ndsu.nodak.edu/wiki/Main_Page |archive-date=2009-03-31 |url-status=dead }}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApRhAHGJBpY Midwest Spring Floods of 2009]
• [https://www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/floodinfo/forecasts/flood_sheets/red_river_flood_extent_april14_16.pdf Red River Flood Extent: April 14, 2009 12:40 UTC Satellite photos]{{dead link|date=September 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090505033508/http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/fargoflood/ North Dakota State University's Fargo Flood website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:2009 Red River Flood}}

Red River flood

Category:Floods in Canada

Red River Flood, 2009

Red River Flood, 2009

Red River Flood, 2009

Category:Red River floods

Category:2009 floods in the United States