Also in North Dakota, Devils Lake is expected, for the third year in a row, to establish a new record crest. Elsewhere, it will take heavy rains to produce major flooding. The Red River of the North . 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.