This year the snowpack contains only two or three inches of water. What causes concern for forecasters and flood fighters is the weather between now and mid April. The National Weather Service forecaster, Jim Belles, says it's nearly impossible to accurately predict a flood crest that likely won't happen for five weeks. I think that's a significant question to ask. It's going to be a totally different ballgame.
Belles says soil is saturated across the Red River Valley and has been for about five years.
As a result, river levels have been higher than normal all winter. Belles says that also is a factor in predicting spring flooding. East Grand Forks City Engineer Gary Sanders says, based on what he knows now, he feels pretty comfortable his city is well-prepared this year. The way things are going right now, I expect to be playing golf the first part of April. Sanders thinks the National Weather Service has a tendency to predict on the high side because of the criticism it received in 1997.