Flood — Cass, North Dakota

2011-04-03 to 2011-04-30 · near Walden, Cass, North Dakota

Event narrative

Two hunters died after the boat the were using capsized on a flooded portion of the Maple River in Hill Township, about 37 miles west of Fargo.

Wider weather episode

The winter of 2010-2011 generally brought above normal amounts of snow to the area, but particularly so for the Devils Lake basin, the Sheyenne River basin, and the Wild Rice River basin. By April 1st, snow water equivalents were estimated to be about four to six inches in these areas with about two to four inches elsewhere. A see-saw pattern of temperatures led to a generally slow April snowmelt. At Fargo, the first six days of April averaged near normal for temperatures. The next six days averaged above normal, which led to some snowmelt. From the 13th through the 23rd temperatures swung back below normal along with several days with additional snow. At Grand Forks, the temperatures ranged a bit different than at Fargo. The first 12 days of the month were above normal, then the 13th through the 22nd were below normal. The snow disappeared first in the northern Red River Valley, while it took longer to melt in the other areas. Overland flooding was particularly bad over Cass County. At the height of flooding, Interstate 29 was closed between Fargo and the Highway 200 exit, due to the high water. Traffic was diverted to state highway 18 for several days until the water receded. Hundreds of other roads were also closed due to overland flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (47.2400, -97.6900)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 288619. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.