Missouri River Basin Flooding Minot, ND

July 25, 2011: As of 4:00 a.m. EDT on July 25, the Souris River at Minot was below action stage (1548 feet) at 1,547.1 feet and is forecast to continue to decline.

July 22, 2011: The flood waters have reached a steady state throughout most of the basin and the focus is on monitoring and reinforcing existing levees. Fort Peck, Garrison, Oahe, and Big Bend Dams reductions in releases have led to declining water levels and less water moving downstream.

There have been no new levee breaches or overtoppings in Region VII since July 11, 2011. There are potential overtopping concerns on 4 Federal and 13 non-Federal levees in the basin. These levees are forecast to have less than 2’ of freeboard.

The State of Missouri and local/federal partners will discuss flood fight concerns on Monday, July 25, 2011. Additionally, daily coordination calls will be reduced to three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).

Missouri River Basin Reservoir Releases
Dam Releases projected for Thursday, July 21:

Fort Peck: 35,000 cfs
Garrison: 120,000 cfs
Oahe: 140,000 cfs
Big Bend: 137,200 cfs
Fort Randall: 156,000 cfs
Gavins Point: 160,000 cfs (On Monday, August 1, 2011 Gavins Point is expected to reduce releases from 160,000 cfs to 150,000 cfs and maintain this new release rate through at least August 12, 2011; additional releases thereafter from Gavins Point are still to be determined.)

Souris (Mouse) River Flooding – Minot, ND
As of 2:00 a.m. EDT on July 22, the Souris River at Minot was below flood stage at 1,548.5 feet and is forecast to remain below flood stage for the forecast period. Evacuation zones have reopened and residents have begun returning home. Boil water orders continue to be lifted in the previously effected boil zones. USACE contractors have removed 249 tons of debris. The Broadway Bridge in Minot remains open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT.

North Dakota
Three shelters were open with 362 (-8) occupants.

July 21, 2011: The flood waters have reached a steady state throughout most of the Missouri River Basin and the focus is on monitoring and reinforcing existing levees. Fort Peck, Garrison, Oahe, and Big Bend Dams reductions in releases have led to declining water levels and less water moving downstream. There have been 4 federal levee breaches or over-toppings and 13 non- federal levee breaches or overtoppings. There have been no new levee breaches or overtoppings in Region VII since July 11, 2011. The U.S. Coast Guard continues closure of the Missouri River for both commercial and recreational use. The river remains closed from mile 226.3, near Glasgow, MO, to mile 550 near Gavins Point Dam.

Missouri River Basin Reservoir Releases
Dam Releases projected for Thursday, July 21:

Fort Peck: 35,000 cfs
Garrison: 120,000 cfs
Oahe: 140,000 cfs
Big Bend: 140,000 cfs
Fort Randall: 156,000 cfs
Gavins Point: 160,000 cfs

Souris (Mouse) River Flooding – Minot, ND
As of 3:00 a.m. EDT on July 21, the Souris River at Minot was below flood stage at 1,548.63 feet and is forecast to remain below flood stage for the forecast period. USACE contractors have removed 220 tons of debris. Evacuation zones have reopened and residents have begun returning home. The Broadway Bridge in Minot remains open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT.

North Dakota
Three shelters were open with 370 (+2) occupants.

July 20, 2011: The U.S. Coast Guard continues closure of the Missouri River for both commercial and recreational use. At this time, the river remains closed from mile 226.3, near Glasgow, MO, to mile 550 near Gavins Point Dam.

There are potential concerns on 4 Federal and 14 non-Federal levees in the Missouri River Basin. These levees currently have less than two feet of freeboard. River rises due to high rainfall events in the basin could impact these levees.

USACE is constructing a 400 foot berm to protect a wastewater treatment plant in Bellevue, Nebraska.
Major road closures in the Missouri River Basin flood area include:

I-29 in Iowa (Exit 32 to US 136 Interchange in MO).
I-680 in Iowa (3 miles west of Crescent area and Exit 62; I-29; Old Mormon Bridge).
I-29 in Iowa (Council Bluffs) – between exit 54A; G Avenue (Carter Lake) and exit 71; I-680 (2 miles south of the Missouri Valley area).
I-680 into Iowa (Mormon Bridge Crossing) closed due to floodwaters covering roadway.

Missouri River Basin Flooding
Dam Releases projected for Wednesday, July 20:
Fort Peck: 35,000 cfs
Garrison: 120,000 cfs
Oahe: 140,000 cfs
Big Bend: 140,000 cfs
Fort Randall: 156,000 cfs
Gavins Point: 160,000 cfs

Souris (Mouse) River Flooding – Minot, ND
Current Situation
As of 1:00 a.m. EDT on July 20, the Souris River at Minot was below flood stage at 1,548.79 feet and is forecast to remain below flood stage for the forecast period.

Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) remain open in Minot, ND (2) and Bismarck, ND (1). Two DRCs will open this week; one today in Berthold, ND and one in Sherwood, ND on Wednesday, July 20.

North Dakota
Three shelters were open with 368 occupants as of midnight, July 18.

July 19, 2011: The River remains at Moderate to Major Flood Stage at many locations and is forecast to remain high in much of Nebraska and Iowa until fall. No levee breaches or overtopping have occurred since July 11. The U.S. Coast Guard has extended the Missouri River closure for both commercial and recreational use. At this time, the river is closed from mile 226.3, near Glasgow, MO, to mile 550 near Gavins Point Dam.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continues to provide extensive amounts of flood fight supplies (sandbags, automatic sandbag machines, pumps, porta-dam,) along with technical assistance to levee districts and communities in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

Missouri River Basin Flooding
Dam Releases as of Monday, July 18 are as follows:
Fort Peck: 40,000 cfs
Garrison: 120,000 cfs
Oahe: 140,000 cfs
Big Bend: 140,000 cfs
Fort Randall: 156,000 cfs.
Gavins Point: 160,000 cfs

Missouri
On July 14, 2011, the State of Missouri requested Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments for severe storms and flooding. FEMA Region VII is coordinating the dates and times of these assessments with the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery staff.

Souris (Mouse) River Flooding – Minot, ND
As of 1:00 a.m. EDT on July 19, the Souris River at Minot was below flood stage at 1,548.79 feet and is forecast to remain below flood stage for the forecast period.
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) remain open in Minot, ND (2) and Bismarck, ND (1). Two DRCs will open this week; one today in Berthold, ND and one in Sherwood, ND on Wednesday, July 20

North Dakota
Three shelters were open with 361 occupants as of midnight, July 18.

July 18, 2011: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is constructing a 4.5 mile seepage berm to protect a wastewater treatment plant in Bellevue, NE. The Missouri River remains at Moderate to Major Flood Stage at many locations and is forecast to remain high in much of NE and IA until fall. The USACE, Omaha District, will temporarily halt releases from the regulating tunnels at Garrison Dam to perform a routine inspection of the tunnel walls Monday. The Bismarck-Mandan areas may see a slight reduction in the river stage. The anticipated stage reduction is estimated at less than two tenths of a foot.

River levels continue to remain level or slowly decline across the Missouri River Basin. However, the main stem of the Missouri River remains at Moderate to Major Flood Stage in many locations.

Missouri
There are structural concerns for 4 Federal and 14 non-Federal levees in MO.

Souris (Mouse) River Flooding – Minot, ND
As of 10:00 p.m. EDT on July 17, the Souris River at Minot was below flood stage at 1,548.88 feet. The river is forecast to stabilize at this level for the next 48-72 hours. As of 10:00 p.m. EDT on July 17, flow from Lake Darling Dam into the Souris River was at 4,590 cfs.
Minot and Sawyer (Ward County), and Velva (McHenry County), ND
Boil water orders have been lifted for all of the 4 designated areas outside the flooded area.
The removal of temporary dikes/levees is underway in Minot.

North Dakota
Four DRCs and one mobile DRC are operational in North Dakota.
Three shelters are open with 390 occupants.

July 15, 2011: As of 2:30 a.m. EDT on July 15, the Souris River at Minot was at 1,549.87 feet (Flood Stage) and is expected to continue to recede. The river is forecast to fall below Flood Stage on July 16. Releases from Lake Darling Dam into the Souris River are currently at 4,500 cfs. USACE staff has coordinated with state and local officials to finalize the debris management plan and overall debris strategies.

North Dakota
Roadways are reopening and residents are being allowed to return to their homes and businesses during daylight hours. Mandatory evacuations continue to be lifted as the water level recedes. Twelve of Minot’s 25 lift stations are flooded and are not pumping. However, all other lifts are operational and the City’s waste water treatment system is functioning. The North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) has 227 personnel activated in Minot, including 120 Minnesota National Guardsmen acquired through emergency management assistant compact to augment the NDNG. Three shelters are open supporting 332 occupants.

July 14, 2011: As of 3:00 a.m. EDT on July 14, the Souris River at Minot was at 1,551.09 feet (Moderate Flood Stage) and is expected to continue to recede. The river is forecast to fall below Flood Stage on July 17. Water continues to recede as Lake Darling releases continue to be reduced. Secretary Napolitano participated in a press conference outside City Hall in Minot yesterday afternoon. The outflow for Lake Darling measured along the Souris River at Foxholm is 6,640 cfs and USACE will continue to cut flows by 1,000 to 2,000 cfs daily or every other day, until the conservation pool is reached or conditions warrant different action.

Minot and Sawyer (Ward County), and Velva (McHenry County), ND
Amendment #6 was approved for FEMA-1981-DR-ND, effective July 13, 2011. The Amendment adds Barnes, Ramsey, and Richland Counties and the Spirit Lake Nation for Individual Assistance (already designated for Public Assistance). Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for portions of Ward County; however, more residents are gradually being allowed to return to their homes as the waters continue to recede. Residents in designated areas are being allowed to return to their homes between 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; residents were advised not to use their sinks, toilets and to continue to keep their sewers plugged. Half of the city’s 25 sewage lift stations are flooded and not operational; only 3 of the remaining lifts are operating at 100%. Potable water remains a limiting factor in Minot (Ward County) with boil water orders in effect. The Boil Order has been lifted for portions of the City; however, the Boil Order is still in effect for many other areas of Minot and the surrounding area previously on the Boil Order. The City is working on isolating and testing the other areas within Minot. People still need to conserve water in all areas of Minot and the surrounding areas.

July 13, 2011: As of 11:00 p.m. EDT on July 12, the Souris River at Minot was at 1,553.85 feet (Moderate flood stage) and is expected to continue to recede. The outflow for Lake Darling measured along the Souris River at Foxholm is 6,640 cfs and USACE will continue to cut flows by 1,000 to 2,000 cfs daily or every other day, until the conservation pool is reached or conditions warrant different action. In the Souris River Basin, water continues to recede as Lake Darling releases continue to be reduced. The original levees are visible again and when the water returns to normal levels, the City of Minot will be able to begin dewatering flooded neighborhoods. The originally constructed levees are approximately 90% visible; however, the areas between the original line of protection and the fallback levees are still inundated.

Minot and Sawyer (Ward County), and Velva (McHenry County), ND
The mandatory evacuations remain in effect for portions of Ward County; however, more residents are being gradually allowed to return to their homes as the waters continue to recede. Residents in designated areas are being allowed back into their homes between 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Residents were advised not to use their sinks, toilets and to continue to keep their sewers plugged. Half of the city’s 25 sewage lift stations are flooded and not operational; only 3 of the remaining lifts are operating at 100%. Potable water remains a limiting factor in Minot (Ward County) with boil water orders in effect. The Boil Order has been lifted for portions of the City; however, the Boil Order is still in effect for many other areas of Minot and the surrounding area previously on the Boil Order. The City is working on isolating and testing the other areas within Minot. People still need to conserve water in all areas of Minot and the surrounding areas.

July 12, 2011: As of 3:00 a.m. EDT on July 12, the Souris River at Minot was at 1,554.57. feet (Moderate flood stage) and is expected to continue to recede. The outflow for Lake Darling measured along the Souris River at Foxholm is 7,930 cfs and USACE will continue to cut flows by 1,000 to 2,000 cfs daily or every other day, until the conservation pool is reached or conditions warrant different action. Recent rains in the basin have extended the target date for reaching 5,000 cfs in Minot to July 22, 2011. Reconstruction of the levees/recovery will begin once the flow drops below 5,000 cfs.

Minot and Sawyer (Ward County), and Velva (McHenry County), ND
The mandatory evacuations remain in effect for portions of Ward County; however, more residents are being gradually allowed to return to their homes as the waters continue to recede. Half of the city’s 25 sewage lift stations are flooded and not operational; only 3 of the remaining lifts are operating at 100%. Potable water remains a limiting factor in Minot (Ward County) with boil water orders in effect. The Boil Order has been lifted for portions of the City; however, the Boil Order is still in effect for many other areas of Minot and the surrounding area previously on the Boil Order. The City is working on isolating and testing the other areas within Minot. People still need to conserve water in all areas of Minot and the surrounding areas.

July 11, 2011: As of 3:30 a.m. EDT on July 11, the river was at 1,554.66 feet, below the Major Flood Stage of 1,555 feet. The river is expected to remain at approximately this level through Monday and then continue to recede. The outflow for Lake Darling measured along the Souris River at Foxholm is 8,730 cfs and USACE will continue to cut flows by 1,000 to 2,000 cfs daily or every other day, until the conservation pool is reached or conditions warrant different action. Reconstruction of the levees/recovery will begin in mid-July, when the flow is expected to drop to 3,000-5,000 cfs.

Minot and Sawyer (Ward County), and Velva (McHenry County), ND
The mandatory evacuations remain in effect for portions of Ward County. With river below 1,555 ft, more evacuees were allowed to return to their homes and more evacuees are expected to return to their homes as the water continues to recede. Half of the city’s 25 sewage lift stations are flooded and not operational; only 3 of the remaining lifts are operating at 100%. Potable water remains a limiting factor in Minot (Ward County) with boil water orders in effect. USACE received the Mission Assignment for temporary housing site design and began the review of possible sites recommended by the City of Minot.

July 8, 2011: As of 1:00 p.m. EDT on July 7, the river is at 1,556.6 feet. The flood stage is 1,549 feet. The outflow for Lake Darling measured along the Souris River at Foxholm was 9,120 cfs as of 1:30 a.m. EDT on Friday, July 8, 2011. USACE will continue to cut flows by 1,000 to 2,000 cfs daily or every other day, until the conservation pool is reached next week or unless conditions warrant different action. It is expected to take about two weeks for flood waters to recede to within channel banks. Reconstruction of the levees/recovery will begin in mid-July, when the flow will drop to 3,000-5,000 cfs.

Minot and Sawyer (Ward County), and Velva (McHenry County), ND
The mandatory evacuations remain in effect for portions of Ward County. Residents will be allowed to return home when the level at Minot reduces to 1,555 feet. The Broadway Bridge in Minot will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. EDT. Potable water remains a limiting factor in Minot (Ward County) with boil water orders in effect. Trinity Hospital has stretched the capacity of the National Guard supplied water purification unit. The loss of city water will likely result in the evacuation of health care facilities in Minot (Ward County). The State Water Commission has expressed concerned about bank erosion along the Missouri River as the water recedes. Mapping of the river in Bismarck/Mandan area will be used to identify potential danger areas. In North Dakota in support of the recovery of Minot, Burlington, Sawyer, and Velva, USACE has received the Mission Assignment for temporary housing site design and began the review of possible sites recommended by the City of Minot.

The Garrison Dam Reservoir is expected to remain nearly level for the next several days and then begin to recede. Releases have been reduced to 140,000 cfs. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for Zones 1-9 (approximately 12,000 residents) Residents in the Evacuation Zones in NE Minot protected by the secondary dike will be allowed to return when the reading at the Broadway Bridge reaches 1555 feet. Voluntary evacuations remain in effect for portions of Morton (182) residents and Burleigh (694 residents). Three shelters are supporting 305 occupants in Ward and Mountrail counties.

July 7, 2011: As of 1:30 a.m. EDT on July 7, the river is at 1,556.6 feet. The flood stage is 1,549 feet. The outflow for Lake Darling measured along the Souris River was 9,170 cfs at 1:30 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 6, 2011. The plan for the next couple of weeks is to reduce stream flows through Minot to 3,300 cfs with anticipated discharges from Lake Darling Dam at 3,000 cfs and local inflows at 300 cfs. The goal is to reach this level of reduced stream flows at the Minot Broadway Bridge before July 19, 2011. Reconstruction of the levees/recovery will begin in mid-July, when the flow will drop to 3,000-5,000 cfs.

Minot and Sawyer (Ward County), and Velva (McHenry County), ND
All residents in the valley outside of the evacuation zone have been advised to use discretion and take precautions. The mandatory evacuations remain in effect for portions of Ward County. The residents will be allowed to return home when the level at Minot reduces to 1,555 feet. The Broadway Bridge in Minot will be open daily from 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. EDT. Potable water remains a limiting factor in Minot (Ward County) with boil water orders in effect. Trinity Hospital has stretched the capacity of the National Guard supplied water purification unit. The loss of city water will likely result in the evacuation of health care facilities in Minot (Ward County).
Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for Zones 1-9 (approximately 12,000 residents)

Residents in the Evacuation Zones in NE Minot protected by the secondary dike will be allowed to return when the reading at the Broadway Bridge reaches 1555 feet.
Voluntary evacuations remain in effect for portions of Morton (182) residents and Burleigh (694 residents).

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This page last reviewed: August 25, 2011