Flood stage & discharge data for flooded communities

River stages exceeded the 100-year flood elevations identified in local floodplain management ordinances on the Minnesota River above New Ulm and along the entire length of the Red River of the North in Minnesota.

Record high flood stages

Minnesota River

Community

Previous Record (Year)

New Record 1997

Montevideo

21.68 (1969)

24.48

Granite Falls

12.6 (1969)

15.4

New Ulm

30.5 (1969)

32.23

Red River of the North

Community

Previous Record (Year)

New Record 1997

Breckenridge

17.95 (1989)

19.20

Moorhead

37.34 (1969)

39.75

Halstad

39.00 (1979)

40.67

East Grand Forks

50.02 (1897)

54.20

Drayton, N.D.

43.66 (1979)

45.54

Flood volume measurements taken during the 1997 flood are still being evaluated; however, preliminary results indicate that new record peak flows were recorded at many locations. The U.S. Geological Survey's preliminary calculation of peak mean daily flow (136,900 cubic feet per second) at East Grand Forks was record-setting.

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