Currently, snow water content is sufficient to indicate snow melt flooding along the Red River of the North and most of its tributaries. Mild temperatures during February reduced the snow cover in most areas south of Fargo to only 1-4 inches, with water content of a half inch or less. Soil moisture is above normal throughout the Red River basin. Frost depths average 1-2 ft with deeper frost in areas with less snow. The Red River and its tributaries are presently below flood stage at all stations.
Ice is present on all rivers.
Moderate flooding is expected for the Red River south of Grand Forks, North Dakota, with more severe flooding to the north. The forecast crest at Grand Forks will be some 8 feet lower than in 1997. The outlook for the tributaries is for mostly minor to moderate flooding. Devils Lake, North Dakota . Snow water amounts are substantial in the Devils Lake basin in east-central North Dakota, an area that has been subject to chronic high water conditions since 1993.