U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Prepared in cooperation with the Fargo Diversion Board of Authority

Water-Surface Elevation and Discharge 

Measurement Data for the Red River of the North 

and its Tributaries near Fargo, North Dakota, 

Water Years 2014–15

Open File Report 2016–1139

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
Cover. Wild Rice River looking upstream from the bridge on County Road 16 near St. Benedict, 

North Dakota, October 13, 2011. Photograph by Rochelle A. Nustad, U.S. Geological Survey.
Water-Surface Elevation and Discharge 

Measurement Data for the Red River of the 

North and its Tributaries near Fargo, North 

Dakota, Water Years 2014–15

By William C. Damschen and Joel M. Galloway

Prepared in cooperation with the Fargo Diversion Board of Authority

Open File Report 2016–1139

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

SALLY JEWELL, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Suzette M. Kimball, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2016

For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living 

resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1–888–ASK–USGS.

For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, 

visit http://store.usgs.gov.

Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the 

U.S. Government.

Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials 

as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.

Suggested citation:

Damschen, W.C., and Galloway, J.M., 2016, Water-surface elevation and discharge measurement data for the Red 

River of the North and its tributaries near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15: U.S. Geological Survey OpenFile Report 2016–1139, 16 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161139.

ISSN 2331-1258 (online)
iii

Contents

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1

Purpose and Scope .......................................................................................................................................1

Methods...........................................................................................................................................................1

Water-Surface Elevations ...................................................................................................................4

Discharge Measurements...................................................................................................................4

Water-Surface Elevations and Discharge Measurements.....................................................................4

Red River of the North..........................................................................................................................4

Sheyenne River...................................................................................................................................10

Wild Rice River....................................................................................................................................12

Maple River..........................................................................................................................................15

Summary........................................................................................................................................................16

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................16

Figures

1. Maps showing measured reaches on the Red River of the North, Sheyenne River,

Wild Rice River, and Maple River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15 .........2

2. Graphs showing daily mean discharge and data collection dates for the Red River

of the North, Sheyenne River, Wild Rice River, and Maple River near Fargo, North

Dakota, water years 2014–15......................................................................................................8

3. Graph showing water-surface profiles from measurements made on the Red River

of the North near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.............................................10

4. Graph showing water-surface profiles from measurements made on the Sheyenne

River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.........................................................12

5. Graph showing water-surface profiles from measurements made on the Wild Rice

River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.........................................................14

6. Graph showing water-surface profiles from measurements made on the Maple

River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.........................................................16

Tables

1. Location and verification of benchmarks used during reach surveys on the Red

River of the North, Sheyenne River, Wild Rice River, and Maple River near Fargo,

North Dakota, water years 2014–15...........................................................................................5

2. Discharge measurement summary for selected reaches on the Red River of the

North, Sheyenne River, Wild Rice River, and Maple River near Fargo, North Dakota,

water years 2014–15.....................................................................................................................7

3. Water-surface elevations and discharge measurements made on the Red River of

the North near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15 ...................................................9

4. Water-surface elevations and discharge measurements made on the Sheyenne

River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.........................................................11

5. Water-surface elevations and discharge measurements made on the Wild Rice

River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.........................................................13

6. Water-surface elevations and discharge measurements made on the Maple River

near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15 ...................................................................15
iv

Conversion Factors

U.S. customary units to International System of Units

Multiply By To obtain

Length

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Area

acre 4,047 square meter (m2

)

square mile (mi2

) 2.590 square kilometer (km2)

Flow rate

cubic foot per second (ft3

/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

Hydraulic gradient

foot per mile (ft/mi) 0.1894 meter per kilometer (m/km)

Datum

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to North American Vertical Datum of 1988 

(NAVD 88).

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

Elevation, as used in this report, refers to distance above the vertical datum.

Supplemental Information

A water year (WY) is the period from October 1 to September 30 of the following year and is 

designated by the year in which it ends.

Abbreviations

GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System

NGS National Geodetic Survey

RTK real-time kinematic

USGS U.S. Geological Survey
Water-Surface Elevation and Discharge Measurement 

Data for the Red River of the North and its Tributaries near 

Fargo, North Dakota, Water Years 2014–15

By William C. Damschen and Joel M. Galloway

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the 

Fargo Diversion Board of Authority, collected water-surface 

elevations during a range of discharges needed for calibration 

of hydrologic and hydraulic models for specific reaches of 

interest in water years 2014–15. These water-surface elevation and discharge measurement data were collected for design 

planning of diversion structures on the Red River of the North 

and Wild Rice River and the aqueduct/diversion structures on 

the Sheyenne and Maple Rivers. The Red River of the North 

and Sheyenne River reaches were surveyed six times, and 

discharges ranged from 276 to 6,540 cubic feet per second 

and from 166 to 2,040 cubic feet per second, respectively. 

The Wild Rice River reach also was surveyed six times during 

2014 and 2015, and discharges ranged from 13 to 1,550 cubic 

feet per second. The Maple River reach was surveyed four 

times, and discharges ranged from 16.4 to 633 cubic feet per 

second. Water-surface elevation differences from upstream to 

downstream in the reaches ranged from 0.33 feet in the Red 

River of the North reach to 9.4 feet in the Maple River reach.

Introduction

The Red River of the North begins at Wahpeton, 

North Dakota, at the confluence of the Otter Tail and Bois 

de Sioux Rivers (not shown), and flows north into Canada 

before emptying into Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba (fig. 1). The 

drainage area for the Red River of the North Basin is about 

45,000 square miles (mi2) (excluding the Assiniboine River) 

and includes parts of eastern North Dakota, northeastern South 

Dakota and northwestern Minnesota in the United States, and 

southern Manitoba in Canada. The Red River of the North 

flows through several urban areas along its path, including 

the cities of Fargo, N. Dak.; Moorhead, Minnesota; Grand 

Forks, N. Dak.; East Grand Forks, Minn.; and Winnipeg, 

Manitoba. Tributaries to the Red River of the North near the 

Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area include the Sheyenne, 

Maple, and Wild Rice Rivers (fig. 1).

The area around Fargo, N. Dak., and Moorhead, Minn., 

historically has been prone to flooding. Flood-fighting efforts 

have cost the region millions of dollars, and if these emergency flood-fighting efforts are overwhelmed, the results could 

be catastrophic (Flood Diversion Authority, 2015). The FargoMoorhead Area Diversion Project was established to develop 

permanent flood-protection measures for the region. The 

current (2015) plan includes a 20,000 cubic feet per second 

(ft3

/s), 36-mile (mi) long diversion channel with 32,500 acres 

of upstream floodwater staging (Flood Diversion Authority, 

2015). As the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion Project moves 

forward in the design phase, discharge and water-surface 

elevation data are needed where diversion structures are being 

planned. For design planning of diversion structures proposed 

for the Red River of the North and Wild Rice River, and the 

aqueduct/diversion structures proposed for the Sheyenne and 

Maple Rivers, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Fargo Diversion Board of Authority, collected 

water-surface elevations during a range of discharges needed 

for calibration of hydrologic and hydraulic models for the 

specific reaches of interest in water year (WYs) 2014–15.

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this report is to describe the methods and 

results for the collection of discharge and associated watersurface elevation data through reaches of the Red River of the 

North, Sheyenne, Wild Rice, and Maple Rivers (figs. 1A–1D). 

Discharge measurements and multiple water-surface elevations along each reach were collected together during various 

hydrologic conditions in WYs 2014–15.

Methods

The methods used to collect water-surface elevations 

and discharge measurements for the Red River of the North, 

Sheyenne, Wild Rice, and Maple Rivers (fig. 1) in the FargoMoorhead metropolitan area are described in this section. 

Multiple measurements were made during a range of hydrologic conditions in WYs 2014–15.
2 Water-Surface Elevation and Discharge Measurement Data, Red River of the North and its Tributaries

97°05’ 97° 96°55’ 96°50’ 96°45’

47°

46°50’

46°40’

Rush River

Lower Branch

Maple River

Sheyenne River

Red

River of the North

Red

River of the North

Rush RiverRush River

J506

FMM 05

FMM 22

FMM 21

FMM 20

FMM 19

FMM 07

FMM 01

FMM 02

FMM 03

FMM 04

05060100

05059300

05054000

05051522

NORTH DAKOTA

SOUTH DAKOTA

MINNESOTA

Study area

MANITOBA

"

"

"

Red River

of the North Basin

Grand Forks/East Grand Forks

Fargo

Wahpeton

Lake Winnipeg

" Winnipeg Assiniboine Ri ver

BALDHILL DAM

Sheyenne River

Red River of the North

CANADA

UNITED STATES

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1983

Road network from Esri World Street Map, 2016

Albers Equal-Area Conic projection

Standard parallels 29°30’N and 45°30’N, central meridian 96°00’W

0 2 4 KILOMETERS

0 2 4 MILES

Fargo

West Fargo

Oakport

STONEY

Moorhead

EXPLANATION

Proposed diversion alignment, 2015

Benchmark with identifier (table 1)

Streamflow-gaging station with 

station number

FMM 04

94

94

29

29

75

75

D

B

A

C

05060100

Figure 1. Measured reaches on the Red River of the North, Sheyenne River, Wild Rice River, and Maple River near Fargo, North 

Dakota, water years 2014–15.
Methods 3

05059300

EXPLANATION

Proposed diversion alignment, 2015

Benchmark with identifier (table 1)

Streamflow-gaging station with station number

Streamflow measurement site, with identifier

Water-surface measurement site, with identifier

FMM 03

Red River of the North

Maple River

Sheyenne River

River

Wolverton Creek

Sheyenne River

Red River of the Nor ht

Wild Rice

FMM 05

FMM 07

J506

FMM 01

FMM 02

FMM 03

J506

SR1

SR2

SR3

SR4

SR5

SR6

SR7

05059300

MR8

MR7

MR6

MR5

MR4

MR3

MR2

MR1

WR7

WR6

WR5

WR4

WR3

WR2

WR1

RR7

RR6 RR5

RR4

RR3

RR2

RR1 COUNTY ROAD 16

COUNTY ROAD 17

COUNTY ROAD 36 165TH AVE SE

25TH ST SOUTH

West Fargo

Horace

Oxbow

WR1

RR4

29

B

C

A

D

COUNTY ROAD 16

Figure 1. Measured reaches on the Red River of the North, Sheyenne River, Wild Rice River, and Maple River near 

Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.—Continued
4 Water-Surface Elevation and Discharge Measurement Data, Red River of the North and its Tributaries

Water-Surface Elevations

Water-surface elevation data were collected using surveygrade Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) methods. 

Vertical control was obtained by checking against National 

Geodetic Survey (NGS) survey markers in the local area 

(fig. 1; table 1). Real-time GNSS data were collected using 

a single-base real-time kinematic (RTK) surveying approach 

described in Rydlund and Densmore (2012). A dual-frequency 

receiver base station was mounted on a fixed-height tripod 

directly over a known benchmark. The base station includes 

a broadcast radio and long whip antenna, which is used to 

broadcast data corrections from the base receiver to a rover 

receiver. The rover receiver is used in a kinematic fashion, 

receiving data corrections from the base in “real-time” to 

derive position and elevation of an objective point (Rydlund 

and Densmore, 2012). 

Several factors affect the vertical accuracy of these GNSS 

surveys, including wave action from wind at observed point 

locations, current satellite geometry, and various other factors 

(for example, multipath errors and signal degradation from 

vegetation cover) interfering with the base-to-rover communication. Typically, single-base RTK equipment vertical accuracies, assuming a minimum of five satellites and Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) less than 4, are generally 0.066 feet 

(ft) plus or minus 1 part per million at the 68-percent confidence level (Rydlund and Densmore, 2012).

The RTK base station was deployed for each survey on 

the closest NGS marker (http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/) to each 

reach (figs. 1A–1D; table 1). Elevation verification shots were 

collected during each survey on at least two NGS markers. All 

verification shots were located within 4 mi of each surveyed 

reach (figs. 1A–1D).

Position and elevation data were collected at seven observation points along each of the reaches during each survey, 

except for two surveys on the Maple River where only six 

points were measured because one point location was inaccessible during low-flow conditions. No permanent markers 

were established at the seven locations, so a handheld Global 

Positioning System was used to locate previously observed 

location points within about 20 ft from one survey to the next 

survey. At some locations on the Sheyenne and Wild Rice 

Rivers, elevation reference points were established on bridges 

and tape-down measurements were made from these reference 

points to calculate water-surface elevation. Within the Sheyenne River reach, a USGS streamflow gaging station exists at 

SR7 (station number 05059300, fig. 1B). A wire-weight gage 

at SR7 was read and converted to elevation during some visits 

rather than a tape down. A wire-weight gage is a device where 

a weight suspended on a wire is lowered to the water surface 

from a bridge or other overhead structure to measure the 

distance from a point of known elevation on the bridge to the 

water surface.

Discharge Measurements

At each of the four river reaches, discharge measurements were made at preselected sites (figs. 1A–1D) with either 

an acoustic Doppler current profiler or conventional acoustic 

Doppler velocimeter (table 2). Discharge measurements were 

made following methods described in Turnipseed and Sauer 

(2010) and Mueller and others (2013). Discharge measurement data and streamflow gaging station data are available at 

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nd/nwis/.

Water-Surface Elevations and 

Discharge Measurements

Water-surface elevations and discharge measurements 

were collected during a range of hydrologic conditions at 

selected reaches of the Red River of the North, Sheyenne, 

Wild Rice, and Maple Rivers (figs. 1A–1D) in the FargoMoorhead metropolitan area in WYs 2014–15 (fig. 2).

Red River of the North

The Red River of the North reach was surveyed six times 

in WYs 2014–15 (fig. 1A; tables 1 and 3). Discharge measurements were made at a single location (RR4) on the Red River 

of the North 50 ft below the mouth of Wolverton Creek during 

each survey (fig. 1A). Measured discharges ranged from 276 

to 6,540 ft3/s (fig. 2; tables 2 and 3). Position and elevation 

data were collected at seven observation points along the reach 

during each survey (fig. 1A; table 3). A survey rod offset error 

of 3.34 ft was discovered when processing the data for the 

October 21, 2014, survey; and a correction was applied to the 

final elevation data. 

Profiles of the water-surface elevations collected along 

the reach for the Red River of the North in WYs 2014–15 are 

shown in figure 3. The slope of the Red River of the North is 

generally flat with slopes ranging from 1.3 feet per mile (ft/mi) 

at Wahpeton, N. Dak., to 0.2 ft/mi at the international boundary (Red River Basin Board, 2000) and can be seen in the 

small water-surface elevation differences shown in figure 3. 

Water-surface elevation differences from upstream to downstream points in the reach ranged from 0.33 ft on September 2, 

2015, at a discharge of 276 ft3/s to 1.45 ft on June 20, 2014, 

at a discharge of 6,540 ft3/s. The water-surface elevation 

difference of the reach generally increased with increasing 

discharge (table 3; fig. 3). Among several elevation measurements along the reach, variability within the precision error 

of the RTK surveying method showed a slight negative slope 

between measurement points in some of the profiles (fig. 3).
Water-Surface Elevations and Discharge Measurements 5

Table 1. Location and verification of benchmarks used during reach surveys on the Red River of the North, Sheyenne River, Wild Rice 

River, and Maple River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.

[NGS, National Geodetic Survey; PID, position identification; NAVD 88, North American Vertical Datum of 1988; Geoid 12a, model for transforming heights 

between ellisoidal coordinates and NAVD 88 orthometric heights; --, no data]

Measurement 

date

NGS 

designation/PID

Northing, 

in feet

Easting, 

in feet

Orthometric height, 

in feet (NAVD 88 determined from Geoid 12a)

Verification shot, 

in feet

Difference, 

in feet

Red River of the North

06/20/2014 J 506/RP1147 16,986,966.672 2,192,086.338 909.640 Base --

06/20/2014 FMM 01/DN4355 16,981,598.862 2,186,977.277 913.794 913.750 -0.044

06/20/2014 STONEY/DM1839 17,003,152.992 2,199,424.420 910.040 910.041 0.001

10/21/2014 J 506/RP1147 16,986,966.672 2,192,086.338 909.640 Base --

10/21/2014 FMM 02/DN4356 16,981,557.246 2,184,298.432 932.110 932.160 0.050

10/21/2014 STONEY/DM1839 17,003,152.992 2,199,424.420 910.040 906.740 0.040a

04/21/2015 J 506/RP1147 16,986,966.672 2,192,086.338 909.640 Base --

04/21/2015 FMM 03/DN4357 16,981,434.895 2,177,242.596 910.536 910.470 -0.066

05/27/2015 J 506/RP1147 16,986,966.672 2,192,086.338 909.640 Base --

05/27/2015 FMM 01/DN4355 16,981,598.862 2,186,977.277 913.794 913.749 -0.045

05/27/2015 STONEY/DM1839 17,003,152.992 2,199,424.420 910.040 910.017 -0.023

07/21/2015 J 506/RP1147 16,986,966.672 2,192,086.338 909.640 Base --

07/21/2015 FMM 01/DN4355 16,981,598.862 2,186,977.277 913.794 913.781 -0.013

07/21/2015 STONEY/DM1839 17,003,152.992 2,199,424.420 910.040 910.031 -0.009

09/02/2015 J 506/RP1147 16,986,966.672 2,192,086.338 909.640 Base --

09/02/2015 FMM 01/DN4355 16,981,598.862 2,186,977.277 913.794 913.715 -0.079

09/02/2015 STONEY/DM1839 17,003,152.992 2,199,424.420 910.040 910.075 0.035

Sheyenne River

06/18/2014 FMM 07/DN4361 16,991,885.749 2,165,532.399 914.089 Base --

06/18/2014 FMM 04/DN4358 16,981,350.434 2,171,125.375 913.151 913.160 0.009

06/18/2014 FMM 05/DN4359 16,981,224.781 2,165,711.885 914.257 914.265 0.008

04/21/2015 FMM 07/DN4361 16,991,885.749 2,165,532.399 914.089 Base --

04/21/2015 FMM 05/DN4359 16,981,224.781 2,165,711.885 914.257 914.281 0.024

05/26/2015 FMM 07/DN4361 16,991,885.749 2,165,532.399 914.089 Base --

05/26/2015 FMM 04/DN4358 16,981,350.434 2,171,125.375 913.151 913.066 -0.085

05/26/2015 FMM 05/DN4359 16,981,224.781 2,165,711.885 914.257 914.279 0.022

05/26/2015 FMM 09/DN4363 17,002,992.292 2,165,491.160 908.751 908.733 -0.018

07/20/2015 FMM 07/DN4361 16,991,885.749 2,165,532.399 914.089 Base --

07/20/2015 FMM 04/DN4358 16,981,350.434 2,171,125.375 913.151 913.173 0.022

07/20/2015 FMM 05/DN4359 16,981,224.781 2,165,711.885 914.257 914.291 0.034

08/17/2015 FMM 07/DN4361 16,991,885.749 2,165,532.399 914.089 Base --

08/17/2015 FMM 04/DN4358 16,981,350.434 2,171,125.375 913.151 913.178 0.027

08/17/2015 FMM 05/DN4359 16,981,224.781 2,165,711.885 914.257 914.298 0.041

10/22/2015 FMM 07/DN4361 16,991,885.749 2,165,532.399 914.089 Base --

10/22/2015 FMM 05/DN4359 16,981,224.781 2,165,711.885 914.257 914.232 -0.025
6 Water-Surface Elevation and Discharge Measurement Data, Red River of the North and its Tributaries

Table 1. Location and verification of benchmarks used during reach surveys on the Red River of the North, Sheyenne River, Wild Rice 

River, and Maple River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.—Continued

[NGS, National Geodetic Survey; PID, position identification; NAVD 88, North American Vertical Datum of 1988; Geoid 12a, model for transforming heights 

between ellisoidal coordinates and NAVD 88 orthometric heights; --, no data]

Measurement 

date

NGS 

designation/PID

Northing, 

in feet

Easting, 

in feet

Orthometric height, 

in feet (NAVD 88 determined from Geoid 12a)

Verification shot, 

in feet

Difference, 

in feet

Wild Rice River

06/19/2014 FMM 03/DN4357 16,981,434.895 2,177,242.596 910.536 Base --

06/19/2014 FMM 02/DN4356 16,981,557.246 2,184,298.432 935.450 935.445 -0.005

06/19/2014 FMM 07/DN4361 16,991,885.749 2,165,532.399 914.089 914.067 -0.022

10/29/2014 FMM 03/DN4357 16,981,434.895 2,177,242.596 910.536 Base --

10/29/2014 FMM 01/DN4355 16,981,598.862 2,186,977.277 913.794 913.754 -0.040

10/29/2014 J 506/RP1147 16,986,966.672 2,192,086.338 909.640 909.679 0.039

05/21/2015 FMM 03/DN4357 16,981,434.895 2,177,242.596 910.536 Base --

05/21/2015 FMM 02/DN4356 16,981,557.246 2,184,298.432 935.450 935.464 0.014

05/21/2015 FMM 07/DN4361 16,991,885.749 2,165,532.399 914.089 914.135 0.046

05/21/2015 J 506/RP1147 16,986,966.672 2,192,086.338 909.640 909.675 0.035

07/20/2015 FMM 03/DN4357 16,981,434.895 2,177,242.596 910.536 Base --

07/20/2015 FMM 01/DN4355 16,981,598.862 2,186,977.277 913.794 913.803 0.009

07/20/2015 J 506/RP1147 16,986,966.672 2,192,086.338 909.640 909.712 0.072

08/17/2015 FMM 03/DN4357 16,981,434.895 2,177,242.596 910.536 Base --

08/17/2015 FMM 01/DN4355 16,981,598.862 2,186,977.277 913.794 913.824 0.030

08/17/2015 J 506/RP1147 16,986,966.672 2,192,086.338 909.640 909.702 0.062

09/02/2015 FMM 03/DN4357 16,981,434.895 2,177,242.596 910.536 Base --

09/02/2015 FMM 01/DN4355 16,981,598.862 2,186,977.277 913.794 913.794 0.000

09/02/2015 J 506/RP1147 16,986,966.672 2,192,086.338 909.640 909.690 0.050

Maple River

10/30/2014 FMM 21/DN4375 17,060,458.745 2,163,815.360 895.034 Base --

10/30/2014 FMM 19/DN4373 17,049,825.817 2,164,222.513 896.334 896.371 0.037

10/30/2014 FMM 20/DN4374 17,055,018.939 2,163,973.282 895.599 895.580 -0.019

05/27/2015 FMM 21/DN4375 17,060,458.745 2,163,815.360 895.034 Base --

05/27/2015 FMM 20/DN4374 17,055,018.939 2,163,973.282 895.599 895.610 0.011

05/27/2015 FMM 22/DN4376 17,068,320.591 2,163,732.106 897.593 897.621 0.028

07/21/2015 FMM 21/DN4375 17,060,458.745 2,163,815.360 895.034 Base --

07/21/2015 FMM 20/DN4374 17,055,018.939 2,163,973.282 895.599 895.516 -0.083

07/21/2015 FMM 22/DN4376 17,068,320.591 2,163,732.106 897.593 897.529 -0.064

09/03/2015 FMM 21/DN4375 17,060,458.745 2,163,815.360 895.034 Base --

09/03/2015 FMM 20/DN4374 17,055,018.939 2,163,973.282 895.599 895.592 -0.007

09/03/2015 FMM 22/DN4376 17,068,320.591 2,163,732.106 897.593 897.583 -0.010

a

Corrected for rod error of 3.340.
Water-Surface Elevations and Discharge Measurements 7

Table 2. Discharge measurement summary for selected reaches on the Red River of the North, Sheyenne River, Wild Rice River, and 

Maple River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.

[NAVD 88, North American Vertical Datum of 1988; Geoid 12a, model for transforming heights between ellisoidal coordinates and NAVD 88 orthometric 

heights]

Measurement 

number

Measurement date

Mean 

velocity, 

in feet per 

second

Width, 

in feet

Area, in 

square feet

Discharge, 

in cubic feet 

per second

Orthometric height, 

in feet (NAVD 88 

determined from 

Geoid 12a)

Latitude, 

in decimal 

degrees

Longitude, 

in decimal 

degrees

Red River of the North

1 06/20/14 2.07 219 3,160 6,540 899.63 46.712957 -96.785151

2 10/21/14 1.01 124 851 860 883.81 46.712227 -96.783544

3 04/21/15 1.01 105 585 590 882.73 46.712040 -96.783440

4 05/27/15 1.62 136 1,280 2,080 888.34 46.709580 -96.789770

5 07/21/15 1.27 121 904 1,140 885.34 46.709600 -96.789718

6 09/02/15 0.79 95.5 351 276 880.83 46.709171 -96.789673

Sheyenne River

1 06/18/14 2.25 82.8 715 1,600 915.81 46.717352 -96.945016

2 06/18/14 1.86 85.3 875 1,630 912.86 46.746426 -96.927127

3 10/22/14 1.70 79.2 465 791 912.06 46.717352 -96.945016

4 10/22/14 1.28 77.1 585 748 909.40 46.746427 -96.927126

5 04/21/15 1.00 47.4 167 166 907.28 46.717350 -96.945020

6 04/21/15 1.02 47.6 170 171 903.95 46.746430 -96.927140

7 05/26/15 2.39 88.1 856 2,040 917.00 46.717350 -96.945020

8 05/26/15 2.17 85.3 909 1,970 913.44 46.746420 -96.927140

9 07/20/15 1.28 84.5 665 846 912.36 46.717352 -96.945015

10 07/20/15 1.66 77 510 846 909.53 46.746425 -96.927142

11 08/17/15 1.08 48.4 176 189 908.04 46.714520 -96.947040

12 08/17/15 0.78 57.1 244 191 902.69 46.746430 -96.927130

Wild Rice River

1 06/19/14 1.75 110 791 1,380 899.21 46.700504 -96.841160

2 06/19/14 1.70 125 908 1,550 897.68 46.716995 -96.820572

3 10/29/14 0.59 23.4 29.1 17.1 891.05 46.702512 -96.837994

4 05/21/15 1.61 81.6 278 442 894.74 46.702520 -96.838390

5 07/20/15 1.45 45.7 134 194 893.04 46.702500 -96.838040

6 08/17/15 0.54 30.5 51.8 28.0 891.28 46.702571 -96.837962

7 09/02/15 0.26 32.0 49.3 13.0 890.90 46.700504 -96.841160

Maple River

1 10/30/14 1.26 35.5 23.8 30.1 882.45 46.930644 -96.967327

2 05/27/15 2.33 52.2 263 633 888.35 46.930590 -96.966810

3 07/21/15 1.80 36.0 59.5 107 890.90 46.927612 -96.946077

4 09/03/15 0.58 27.5 28.5 16.4 881.97 46.930609 -96.967232
8 Water-Surface Elevation and Discharge Measurement Data, Red River of the North and its Tributaries

Daily mean discharge

Water-surface elevation and discharge data collection dates

EXPLANATION

A. 05051522 Red River of the North at Hickson, N. Dak. B. 05053000 Wild Rice River near Abercrombie, N. Dak.

C. 05059300 Sheyenne River above Sheyenne River 

 Diversion near Horace, N. Dak.

D. 05060100 Maple River below 

 Mapleton, N. Dak.

Date

Oct. Dec. Feb. Apr. June Aug. Oct. Dec. Feb. Apr. June Aug. Oct.

2013 2014 2015

Date

Oct. Dec. Feb. Apr. June Aug. Oct. Dec. Feb. Apr. June Aug. Oct.

2013 2014 2015

Streamflow discharge, in cubic feet per second

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

Figure 2. Daily mean discharge and data collection dates for the Red River of the North, Sheyenne River, Wild Rice River, and Maple 

River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.
Water-Surface Elevations and Discharge Measurements 9

Table 3. Water-surface elevations and discharge measurements made on the Red River of the North near Fargo, North Dakota, water 

years 2014–15.

[NAVD 88, North American Vertical Datum of 1988; --, no data, RTK, real-time kinematic]

Point name Measurement 

date

Latitude, in 

decimal degrees

Longitude, in 

decimal degrees

Water-surface elevation, 

in feet above NAVD 88

Discharge, in cubic 

feet per second

Measurement 

description

RR1 06/20/14 46.702849 -96.791407 900.11 -- RTK

RR2 06/20/14 46.706490 -96.783446 899.92 -- RTK

RR3 06/20/14 46.709936 -96.789792 899.89 -- RTK

RR4 06/20/14 46.712957 -96.785151 899.63 6,540 RTK

RR5 06/20/14 46.716469 -96.781729 899.48 -- RTK

RR6 06/20/14 46.718065 -96.791356 899.19 -- RTK

RR7 06/20/14 46.726642 -96.778710 898.66 -- RTK

RR1 10/21/14 46.702861 -96.791143 884.36 -- RTK

RR2 10/21/14 46.706527 -96.783635 884.14 -- RTK

RR3 10/21/14 46.709597 -96.789242 883.97 -- RTK

RR4 10/21/14 46.712227 -96.783544 883.81 860 RTK

RR5 10/21/14 46.716534 -96.781926 883.82 -- RTK

RR6 10/21/14 46.717369 -96.790319 883.64 -- RTK

RR7 10/21/14 46.726586 -96.778792 883.20 -- RTK

RR1 04/21/15 46.703230 -96.791460 882.86 -- RTK

RR2 04/21/15 46.706200 -96.783960 882.90 -- RTK

RR3 04/21/15 46.709480 -96.789710 882.68 -- RTK

RR4 04/21/15 46.712040 -96.783440 882.73 590 RTK

RR5 04/21/15 46.716520 -96.781950 882.54 -- RTK

RR6 04/21/15 46.717360 -96.790300 882.41 -- RTK

RR7 04/21/15 46.726570 -96.778810 882.08 -- RTK

RR1 05/27/15 46.702890 -96.791240 888.65 -- RTK

RR2 05/27/15 46.706500 -96.783560 888.70 -- RTK

RR3 05/27/15 46.709580 -96.789770 888.34 -- RTK

RR4 05/27/15 46.711940 -96.783310 888.42 2,080 RTK

RR5 05/27/15 46.716640 -96.781790 888.01 -- RTK

RR6 05/27/15 46.717340 -96.790340 887.87 -- RTK

RR7 05/27/15 46.726630 -96.778750 887.35 -- RTK

RR1 07/21/15 46.702813 -96.791109 885.26 -- RTK

RR2 07/21/15 46.706578 -96.783654 885.04 -- RTK

RR3 07/21/15 46.709600 -96.789718 885.34 -- RTK

RR4 07/21/15 46.712040 -96.783420 884.94 1,140 RTK

RR5 07/21/15 46.716490 -96.781967 884.88 -- RTK

RR6 07/21/15 46.717325 -96.790177 884.61 -- RTK

RR7 07/21/15 46.726544 -96.778805 884.23 -- RTK

RR1 09/02/15 46.702959 -96.791236 880.77 -- RTK

RR2 09/02/15 46.706423 -96.783605 880.74 -- RTK

RR3 09/02/15 46.709171 -96.789673 880.83 -- RTK

RR4 09/02/15 46.711864 -96.783344 880.62 276 RTK

RR5 09/02/15 46.716453 -96.782136 880.52 -- RTK

RR6 09/02/15 46.717310 -96.790000 880.47 -- RTK

RR7 09/02/15 46.726571 -96.778821 880.44 -- RTK
10 Water-Surface Elevation and Discharge Measurement Data, Red River of the North and its Tributaries

EXPLANATION

Distance downstream, in miles

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3.0 3.2 3.4 3.6

Water-surface elevation, in feet above

North American Vertical Datum of 1988 

878

880

882

884

886

888

890

892

894

896

898

900

902

June 20, 2014, at 6,540 cubic feet per second

October 21, 2014, at 860 cubic feet per second

April 21, 2015, at 590 cubic feet per second

May 27, 2015, at 2,070 cubic feet per second

July 21, 2015, at 1,140 cubic feet per second

September 2, 2015, at 276 cubic feet per second

RR1 RR2 RR3 RR4 RR5 RR6 RR7

Figure 3. Water-surface profiles from measurements made on the Red River of the North near Fargo, North Dakota, 

water years 2014–15.

Sheyenne River

The Sheyenne River reach was surveyed six times in 

WYs 2014–15 (fig. 1B; tables 1 and 4). Discharge measurements were collected at two locations during each survey 

(fig. 1B; table 2). Because access was limited at the point 

of interest for measuring discharge, locations upstream and 

downstream were selected for measurements instead. The 

average of the two discharge measurements (measured at SR2 

and SR7) was used as the discharge for the point of interest 

(SR5) within the reach. Measured discharges ranged from 166 

to 2,040 ft3/s (tables 2 and 4). Position and elevation data were 

collected at seven observation points along the reach during 

each survey (fig. 1B; table 4).

Profiles of the water-surface elevations collected along 

the reach for the Sheyenne River are shown in figure 4. Watersurface elevation differences were greater than those measured 

on the Red River of the North; differences from upstream to 

downstream points in the reach ranged from 3.15 ft on July 20, 

2015, at a discharge of 846 ft3

/s to 4.80 ft on April 21, 2015, 

at a discharge of 168 ft3/s (table 4; fig. 4). The April 21, 2015 

elevation for SR1 was affected by new bridge construction on 

Cass County Road 36. Construction crews were backing up 

and diverting flow during bridge construction. 
Water-Surface Elevations and Discharge Measurements 11

Table 4. Water-surface elevations and discharge measurements made on the Sheyenne River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 

2014–15.

NAVD 88, North American Vertical Datum of 1988; --, no data, TD, tape down, RTK, real-time kinematic, WWT, wire-weight reading]

Point 

name

Measurement date

Latitude, 

in decimal 

degrees

Longitude, 

in decimal 

degrees

Reference point 

elevation, in feet 

above NAVD 88

Tape-down 

measurement, 

in feet

Water-surface 

elevation, in feet 

above NAVD 88

Discharge, in 

cubic feet per 

second

Measurement 

description

SR1 06/18/14 46.714465 -96.947048 927.598 10.34 917.26 -- TD

SR2 06/18/14 46.717352 -96.945016 929.218 13.41 915.81 1,600 TD

SR3 06/18/14 46.723605 -96.935340 -- -- 914.34 -- RTK

SR4 06/18/14 46.731800 -96.932764 -- -- 914.12 -- RTK

SR5 06/18/14 46.736896 -96.933068 -- -- 913.67 1,620a RTK

SR6 06/18/14 46.746646 -96.933307 -- -- 913.09 -- RTK

SR7 06/18/14 46.746426 -96.927127 923.377 -- 912.86 1,630 WWT

SR1 10/22/14 46.714568 -96.947230 -- -- 912.70 -- RTK

SR2 10/22/14 46.717352 -96.945016 929.218 17.16 912.06 791 TD

SR3 10/22/14 46.723429 -96.935846 -- -- 910.96 -- RTK

SR4 10/22/14 46.731776 -96.932768 -- -- 910.44 -- RTK

SR5 10/22/14 46.737940 -96.933173 -- -- 909.92 769a RTK

SR6 10/22/14 46.746615 -96.932981 -- -- 909.57 -- RTK

SR7 10/22/14 46.746427 -96.927126 923.377 -- 909.40 748 WWT

SR1 04/21/15 46.714450 -96.947040 930.259 21.51 908.749b -- TD

SR2 04/21/15 46.717350 -96.945020 929.225 21.95 907.28 166 TD

SR3 04/21/15 46.723630 -96.935530 -- -- 906.12 -- RTK

SR4 04/21/15 46.731740 -96.932730 -- -- 905.32 -- RTK

SR5 04/21/15 46.738000 -96.932830 -- -- 904.63 168a RTK

SR6 04/21/15 46.746530 -96.932790 -- -- 904.35 -- RTK

SR7 04/21/15 46.746430 -96.927140 924.208 20.26 903.95 171 TD

SR1 05/26/15 46.714480 -96.947040 930.252 12.75 917.50 -- TD

SR2 05/26/15 46.717350 -96.945020 929.164 12.16 917.00 2,040 TD

SR3 05/26/15 46.723490 -96.935440 -- -- 915.92 -- RTK

SR4 05/26/15 46.731800 -96.932790 -- -- 915.20 -- RTK

SR5 05/26/15 46.737920 -96.932590 -- -- 914.37 2,000a RTK

SR6 05/26/15 46.746670 -96.932620 -- -- 913.84 -- RTK

SR7 05/26/15 46.746420 -96.927140 924.252 10.81 913.44 1,970 TD

SR1 07/20/15 46.714490 -96.947038 930.285 18.6 912.69 -- TD

SR2 07/20/15 46.717352 -96.945015 929.354 16.99 912.36 846 TD

SR3 07/20/15 46.723374 -96.935893 -- -- 911.11 -- RTK

SR4 07/20/15 46.731769 -96.932788 -- -- 910.72 -- RTK

SR5 07/20/15 46.737944 -96.933094 -- -- 910.21 846a RTK

SR6 07/20/15 46.746577 -96.932648 -- -- 909.64 -- RTK

SR7 07/20/15 46.746425 -96.927142 924.353 14.82 909.53 846 TD

SR1 08/17/15 46.714520 -96.947040 930.271 22.23 908.04 -- TD

SR2 08/17/15 46.717350 -96.945020 929.217 21.8 907.42 189 TD

SR3 08/17/15 46.723480 -96.935920 -- -- 906.43 -- RTK

SR4 08/17/15 46.731750 -96.932730 -- -- 905.66 -- RTK

SR5 08/17/15 46.737980 -96.933120 -- -- 904.91 190a RTK

SR6 08/17/15 46.746530 -96.932740 -- -- 904.58 -- RTK

SR7 08/17/15 46.746430 -96.927130 923.335 19.08 904.26 191 WWT

a

Mean discharge for section.

b

Bridge construction affected water surface elevation.
12 Water-Surface Elevation and Discharge Measurement Data, Red River of the North and its Tributaries

EXPLANATION

Distance downstream, in miles

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3.0 3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 4.0 4.2 4.4 4.6

Water-surface elevation, in feet above 

North American Vertical Datum of 1988

902

904

906

908

910

912

914

916

918

June 18, 2014, at 1,620 cubic feet per second

October 22, 2014, at 770 cubic feet per second

April 21, 2015, at 168 cubic feet per second

May 26, 2015, at 1,890 cubic feet per second

July 20, 2015, at 846 cubic feet per second

August 17, 2015, at 190 cubic feet per second

SR1

SR2

SR3 SR4

SR5

SR6 SR7

Figure 4. Water-surface profiles from measurements made on the Sheyenne River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.

Wild Rice River

The Wild Rice River reach was surveyed six times in 

WYs 2014–15 (fig. 1C; tables 1 and 5). Discharge measurements were collected at a single location (WR4) for five of the 

six surveys and at two locations (WR3 and WR6) for the survey on June 19, 2014, during a high-flow event (fig. 1C). The 

average of the two discharge measurements during the highflow event was used as the discharge for the point of interest 

(WR4) within the reach (table 5). Measured discharges ranged 

from 13 to 1,550 ft3/s (tables 2 and 5). Position and elevation 

data were collected at seven observation points along the reach 

during each survey (fig. 1C; table 5). 

Profiles of the water-surface elevations collected along 

the reach for the Wild Rice River are shown in figure 5. 

Water-surface elevation differences from upstream to downstream points in the reach ranged from 3.57 ft on September 2, 

2015, at a discharge of 13 ft3/s to 5.85 ft on May 21, 2015, at 

a discharge of 442 ft3/s (table 5). There are two distinct rock 

and gravel riffles affecting the slope during low-flow conditions within the reach between WR5 and WR6 on the Wild 

Rice River (fig. 5; profiles measured on October 22, 2014, 

and August 17 and September 2, 2015). These riffles seem to 

be part of the bridge construction and are 20–50 ft upstream 

from the Interstate 29 Bridge and at the remediated 25th Street 

South Bridge 1.2 mi downstream (fig. 1).
Water-Surface Elevations and Discharge Measurements 13

Table 5. Water-surface elevations and discharge measurements made on the Wild Rice River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 

2014–15.

[NAVD 88, North American Vertical Datum of 1988; --, no data; TD, tape down; RTK, real-time kinematic]

Point 

name

Measurement date

Latitude, 

in decimal 

degrees

Longitude, 

in decimal 

degrees

Reference point 

elevation, in feet 

above NAVD 88

Tape-down 

measurement, 

in feet

Water-surface 

elevation, in feet 

above NAVD 88

Discharge, 

in cubic feet 

per second

Measurement 

description

WR1 06/19/14 46.673867 -96.855555 918.756 18.17 900.59 -- TD

WR2 06/19/14 46.688306 -96.847083 -- -- 900.24 -- RTK

WR3 06/19/14 46.700504 -96.841160 915.106 15.90 899.21 1,380 TD

WR4 06/19/14 46.702649 -96.837991 -- -- 898.87 1,460a RTK

WR5 06/19/14 46.711938 -96.830808 917.559 19.31 898.25 -- TD

WR6 06/19/14 46.716995 -96.820572 916.442 18.76 897.68 1,550 TD

WR7 06/19/14 46.726742 -96.819974 -- -- 896.65 -- RTK

WR1 10/29/14 46.674039 -96.855613 -- -- 892.10 -- RTK

WR2 10/29/14 46.688375 -96.847408 -- -- 891.34 -- RTK

WR3 10/29/14 46.700598 -96.841053 -- -- 891.05 -- RTK

WR4 10/29/14 46.702512 -96.837994 -- -- 891.05 17.1 RTK

WR5 10/29/14 46.711958 -96.830933 -- -- 890.84 -- RTK

WR6 10/29/14 46.717142 -96.820639 -- -- 888.56 -- RTK

WR7 10/29/14 46.726620 -96.819988 -- -- 888.41 -- RTK

WR1 05/21/15 46.673870 -96.855560 918.721 22.20 896.52 -- TD

WR2 05/21/15 46.688330 -96.847240 -- -- 895.75 -- RTK

WR3 05/21/15 46.700500 -96.841160 915.122 20.33 894.79 -- TD

WR4 05/21/15 46.702520 -96.838390 -- -- 894.74 442 RTK

WR5 05/21/15 46.711938 -96.830808 917.559 24.38 893.18 -- TD

WR6 05/21/15 46.716990 -96.820570 -- 24.43 892.04 -- TD

WR7 05/21/15 46.726650 -96.820020 890.667 -- 890.67 -- RTK

WR1 07/20/15 46.673930 -96.855670 -- -- 894.17 -- RTK

WR2 07/20/15 46.688350 -96.847180 -- -- 893.72 -- RTK

WR3 07/20/15 46.700610 -96.841330 -- -- 893.23 -- RTK

WR4 07/20/15 46.702500 -96.838040 -- -- 893.04 194 RTK

WR5 07/20/15 46.711970 -96.831030 -- -- 892.52 -- RTK

WR6 07/20/15 46.716820 -96.820610 -- -- 890.10 -- RTK

WR7 07/20/15 46.726630 -96.820010 -- -- 889.40 -- RTK

WR1 08/17/15 46.673709 -96.855725 -- -- 892.06 -- RTK

WR2 08/17/15 46.688376 -96.847407 -- -- 891.46 -- RTK

WR3 08/17/15 46.700414 -96.841345 -- -- 891.32 -- RTK

WR4 08/17/15 46.702571 -96.837962 -- -- 891.28 28 RTK

WR5 08/17/15 46.711963 -96.830927 -- -- 891.00 -- RTK

WR6 08/17/15 46.716824 -96.820632 -- -- 888.34 -- RTK

WR7 08/17/15 46.726616 -96.820007 -- -- 888.20 -- RTK

WR1 09/02/15 46.673867 -96.855555 -- -- 891.59 -- RTK

WR2 09/02/15 46.688374 -96.847404 -- -- 891.10 -- RTK

WR3 09/02/15 46.700504 -96.841160 -- -- 890.90 -- RTK

WR4 09/02/15 46.702509 -96.837986 -- -- 890.94 13 RTK

WR5 09/02/15 46.711959 -96.830860 -- -- 890.67 -- RTK

WR6 09/02/15 46.716828 -96.820635 -- -- 888.13 -- RTK

WR7 09/02/15 46.726610 -96.820008 -- -- 888.02 -- RTK

a

Mean discharge for section.
14 Water-Surface Elevation and Discharge Measurement Data, Red River of the North and its Tributaries

EXPLANATION

Distance downstream, in miles

0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.6 4.0 4.4 4.8 5.2 5.6 6.0 6.4 6.8 7.2

Water-surface elevation, in feet above 

North American Vertical Datum of 1988

886

888

890

892

894

896

898

900

902

June 19, 2014, at 1,460 cubic feet per second

October 29, 2014, at 17 cubic feet per second

May 21, 2015, at 442 cubic feet per second

July 21, 2015, at 194 cubic feet per second

August 17, 2015, at 28 cubic feet per second

September 2, 2015, at 13 cubic feet per second

WR1

WR2

WR4

WR3

WR5

WR6

WR7

Figure 5. Water-surface profiles from measurements made on the Wild Rice River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.
Water-Surface Elevations and Discharge Measurements 15

Maple River

The Maple River reach was surveyed four times in WYs 

2014–15 (fig. 1D; tables 1 and 6). Discharge measurements 

were collected at MR6 for three of the surveys and at MR5 

for the survey on July 21, 2015 because MR6 was inaccessible (fig. 1D; table 6). Measured discharges ranged from 

16.4 to 633 ft3/s (tables 2 and 6). Six surveys were planned, 

but only four surveys were completed because of issues with 

land access and frequent low-flow conditions. Position and 

elevation data were collected along six or seven observation 

points along the reach during each survey (fig. 1D; table 6). 

Some observation points were inaccessible during low-flow 

conditions. 

Profiles of the water-surface elevations collected along 

the reach for the Maple River are shown in figure 6. Among 

all the reaches measured on the Red River of the North and its 

tributaries in WYs 2014–15 (fig. 1), the greatest water-surface 

elevation differences were measured on the Maple River 

reach. Water-surface elevation differences from upstream to 

downstream points in the Maple River reach ranged from 

8.48 ft on May 27, 2015, at a discharge of 633 ft3/s, to 9.42 ft 

on September 3, 2015, at a discharge of 16.4 ft3/s (table 6). 

There is an abrupt change in water-surface elevation (about 

3.4 to 6.8 ft) in the reach between MR2 and MR3 (fig. 6). 

From field observations, a small rubble dam 1 mi downstream 

from the 165th Avenue SE Bridge causes the abrupt change 

in the slope for flows less than about 2,000 ft3/s on the Maple 

River (fig. 6).

Table 6. Water-surface elevations and discharge measurements made on the Maple River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 

2014–15.

[NAVD 88, North American Vertical Datum of 1988; --, no data, RTK, real-time kinematic]

Point 

name

Measurement 

date

Latitude, 

in decimal degrees

Longitude, 

in decimal degrees

 Water-surface elevation, 

in feet above NAVD 88

Discharge, in cubic 

feet per second

Measurement 

description

MR1 10/30/14 46.921513 -97.009946 890.62 -- RTK

MR2 10/30/14 46.921798 -96.997447 890.60 -- RTK

MR3 10/30/14 46.925869 -96.989176 884.26 -- RTK

MR6 10/30/14 46.930644 -96.967327 882.45 30.1 RTK

MR7 10/30/14 46.927617 -96.946110 881.48 -- RTK

MR8 10/30/14 46.929088 -96.927552 881.24 -- RTK

MR1 05/27/15 46.921510 -97.009810 893.13 -- RTK

MR2 05/27/15 46.921780 -96.997450 893.07 -- RTK

MR4 05/27/15 46.930240 -96.983540 889.63 -- RTK

MR5 05/27/15 46.925410 -96.974130 888.82 -- RTK

MR6 05/27/15 46.930590 -96.966810 888.35 633 RTK

MR7 05/27/15 46.927710 -96.945870 886.62 -- RTK

MR8 05/27/15 46.929270 -96.927670 884.59 -- RTK

MR1 07/21/15 46.921503 -97.009947 891.10 -- RTK

MR3 07/21/15 46.925826 -96.989096 885.13 -- RTK

MR4 07/21/15 46.927612 -96.946077 884.75 -- RTK

MR5 07/21/15 46.929137 -96.927463 884.00 107 RTK

MR7 07/21/15 46.930190 -96.983477 882.33 -- RTK

MR8 07/21/15 46.925381 -96.974506 881.70 -- RTK

MR1 09/03/15 46.921514 -97.009924 890.42 -- RTK

MR2 09/03/15 46.921776 -96.997671 890.53 -- RTK

MR3 09/03/15 46.925830 -96.989077 883.72 -- RTK

MR6 09/03/15 46.930609 -96.967232 881.97 16.4 RTK

MR7 09/03/15 46.927623 -96.946149 881.11 -- RTK

MR8 09/03/15 46.929133 -96.927477 881.00 -- RTK
16 Water-Surface Elevation and Discharge Measurement Data, Red River of the North and its Tributaries

Distance downstream, in miles

0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.6 4.0 4.4 4.8 5.2 5.6 6.0 6.4 6.8 7.2 7.6 8.0

Water-surface elevation, in feet above

North American Vertical Datum of 1988

880

882

884

886

888

890

892

894

MR1 MR2

MR4

MR3

MR5

MR6

MR7

MR8

October 30, 2014, at 30.1 cubic feet per second

May 27, 2015, at 633 cubic feet per second

July 21, 2015, at 107 cubic feet per second

September 3, 2015, at 16.4 cubic feet per second

EXPLANATION

Figure 6. Water-surface profiles from measurements made on 

the Maple River near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15.

Summary

For design planning of diversion structures proposed on 

the Red River of the North and Wild Rice River and the aqueduct/diversion structures proposed on the Sheyenne and Maple 

Rivers, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the 

Fargo Diversion Board of Authority, collected water-surface 

elevations during a range of discharges needed for calibration 

of hydrologic and hydraulic models for specific reaches of 

interest in water years 2014–15. The Red River of the North 

and the Sheyenne River reaches were surveyed six times, and 

discharges ranged from 276 to 6,540 cubic feet per second and 

from 166 to 2,040 cubic feet per second, respectively. Watersurface elevation differences from upstream to downstream 

points in the Red River of the North reach ranged from 0.33 

to 1.45 feet. Water-surface elevation differences were greater 

on the Sheyenne River reach than those measured on the Red 

River of the North; differences from upstream to downstream 

points in the reach ranged from 3.15 to 4.80 feet. The Wild 

Rice River reach also was surveyed six times, and discharges 

ranged from 13 to 1,550 cubic feet per second; and watersurface elevation differences from upstream to downstream 

points ranged from 3.57 to 5.85 feet. The Maple River reach 

was surveyed four times, and discharges ranged from 16.4 to 

633 cubic feet per second; and water-surface elevation differences from upstream to downstream points ranged from 8.48 

to 9.42 feet.

References Cited

Flood Diversion Authority, 2015, F–M area diversion: F–M 

Area Diversion Web page, accessed October 15, 2015, at 

http://www.fmdiversion.com/.

Mueller, D.S., Wagner, C.R., Rehmel, M.S., Oberg, K.A., and 

Rainville, Francois, 2013, Measuring discharge with acoustic Doppler current profilers from a moving boat (ver. 2.0, 

December 2013): U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and 

Methods, book 3, chap. A22, 95 p. [Also available at http://

dx.doi.org/10.3133/tm3A22.]

Red River Basin Board, 2000, Inventory team report—Hydrology: Red River Basin Board, accessed on February 26, 

2015, at http://www.redriverbasincommission.org/Reports/

reports.html.

Rydlund, P.H., Jr., and Densmore, B.K., 2012, Methods of 

practice and guidelines for using survey-grade global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) to establish vertical datum 

in the United States Geological Survey: U.S. Geological 

Survey Techniques and Methods, book 11, chap. D1, 102 p. 

with appendixes. [Also available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/

tm/11d1/.]

Turnipseed, D.P., and Sauer, V.B., 2010, Discharge measurements at gaging stations: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 3, chap. A8, 87 p. [Also available 

at http://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/tm3-a8/.]

Damschen and Galloway—Water-Surface Elevation and Discharge Measurement Data, Red River of the North and its Tributaries—Open-File Report 2016–1139

ISSN 2331-1258 (online)

http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161139