The Amazing Winter and Non- Flood of 2012

No picture of this spring's snow melt flood because the crest didn't get above flood stage. Elm Street is remaining open. The crest was half a foot below flood stage and about 20+ feet below the crests of the last three years.

While we won't have a record flood, it has been an amazing winter. It was the warmest winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) since records were begun in 1881. At 22.1 F, it was 9.5 degrees above the 30 years average. Some other statistics:

• 16 days with a low temperature below 0F (48 days average. Records: 14 days (1986-87) and 15 days (1930-31))
• Highest lowest maximum daily temperature for the season (+4 F) and only nineth winter since 1881 without a subzero highest lowest maximum (some years the lowest maximum is below -20 F).
• Earliest 50+ F day set on Jan 5 when it was 55 F. We enjoyed reading outside on our three 50+ F days. Average first day above 50 F is March 18.
• Earliest 70+ F day set March 16th when it was 76 F. Average is April 18. March 16-19 was a four day stretch with record high temps in the 70s. 

NOAA data was provided through the Fargo Forum.

All Quiet on the Eastern Front

In 2011, the Red River went above flood stage in late March and then stayed above flood stage for 150 of the next 152 days. That was after the 3rd snowiest winter on record with 130 consecutive days of snow cover.

In August it turned dry and we've had one of the warmest and driest falls and then December on record. The river is currently 3.5 feet below flood stage, the water table at our house is low, evidenced by the old sump pit being dry and the lack of sump pump activity. We've had 2 inches of snow all winter which is well below average. A lot can happen between now and spring, but at least so far, the likelihood of a 4th major spring flood in a row is much reduced. I'm still planning to renew my flood insurance when it comes due in a few months.

The Red River flood diversion plan, initiated after the 2009 flood, got signed off by the top people in the Army Corps of Engineers in December. It now goes to congress for funding. While the proposal has a net benefit relative to expense, it may be hard to get funding given efforts to reduce the deficits. In the mean time, mitigation activity such as buyouts and dikes continue. These are needed even with the diversion to protect against the 500 year flood event.