// Risk Intelligence
| Risk Score | 8 / 10 High |
| Facility Type | 🌊 Major Dam / Flood Control |
| Operator / Branch | US Army Corps of Engineers |
| Host County | Cass County ND |
| Nearest City | Washington DC |
| Primary Risk Radius | 10 miles |
| Secondary Risk Radius | 50 miles |
// Strategic Significance
The Red River Valley levee and diversion system protects Fargo ND and Grand Forks ND from a river that flows north and floods almost every spring. The 1997 Red River flood forced evacuation of 50,000 Grand Forks residents and destroyed most of the downtown. In 2009 and 2011 Fargo came within inches of catastrophic flooding. The Southern Embankment levee protecting Fargo was constructed after the near-misses. A major Fargo Moorhead Diversion project is under construction.
// Civilian Impact Assessment
Fargo ND with 125,000 residents and Moorhead MN with 45,000 residents face serious annual spring flooding risk. The flat Red River Valley has nowhere for floodwater to go. Grand Forks 1997 proved a direct hit is catastrophic.
// Evacuation & Shelter Guidance
I-29, I-94, US-81. Cass County Emergency Management coordinates annual spring flood fight operations with city and state officials. Evacuation routes north and south on I-29 are pre-planned.