Information and products on the Red River Basin.
The Red River begins near Wahpeton, N. Dak. at the confluence of the Boise de Sioux and Otter Tail Rivers, flowing north into Canada before emptying into Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba. Meandering for approximately 450 river miles over a flat lacustrine plain, the shallow channel of the Red River forms the boundary between North Dakota and Minnesota. The drainage area for the Red River Basin is about 40,200 square miles and encompasses parts of eastern North Dakota, northwestern Minnesota, and northeastern South Dakota in the United States and southern Manitoba in Canada. The Red River flows through several urban areas along its path including the cities of Fargo, N. Dak., and Moorhead, Minn., Grand Forks, N. Dak., East Grand Forks, Minn., and Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Click here to access the clickable gaging station map.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Water-surface elevation and discharge measurement data for the Red River of the North and its tributaries near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15
Changes in total phosphorus concentration in the Red River of the North Basin, 1970-2012
Continuous water-quality monitoring and regression analysis to estimate constituent concentrations and loads in the Red River of the North at Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota, 2003-12
Sediment loads in the Red River of the North and selected tributaries near Fargo, North Dakota, 2010--2011
Physical habitat, water quality, and riverine biological assemblages of selected reaches of the Sheyenne River, North Dakota, 2010
Sediment concentrations, loads, and particle-size distributions in the Red River of the North and selected tributaries near Fargo, North Dakota, during the 2011 spring high-flow event
Simulation of the effects of the Devils Lake State Outlet on hydrodynamics and water quality in Lake Ashtabula, North Dakota, 2006-10
Water-quality data for water- and wastewater-treatment plants along the Red River of the North, North Dakota and Minnesota, January through October 2006
Calibration of a water-quality model for low-flow conditions on the Red River of the North at Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota, 2003
A history of flooding in the Red River Basin
Simulation of constituent transport in the Red River of the North basin, North Dakota and Minnesota, during unsteady-flow conditions, 1977 and 2003-04
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
Information and products on the Red River Basin.
The Red River begins near Wahpeton, N. Dak. at the confluence of the Boise de Sioux and Otter Tail Rivers, flowing north into Canada before emptying into Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba. Meandering for approximately 450 river miles over a flat lacustrine plain, the shallow channel of the Red River forms the boundary between North Dakota and Minnesota. The drainage area for the Red River Basin is about 40,200 square miles and encompasses parts of eastern North Dakota, northwestern Minnesota, and northeastern South Dakota in the United States and southern Manitoba in Canada. The Red River flows through several urban areas along its path including the cities of Fargo, N. Dak., and Moorhead, Minn., Grand Forks, N. Dak., East Grand Forks, Minn., and Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Click here to access the clickable gaging station map.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 14Water-surface elevation and discharge measurement data for the Red River of the North and its tributaries near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Fargo Diversion Board of Authority, collected water-surface elevations during a range of discharges needed for calibration of hydrologic and hydraulic models for specific reaches of interest in water years 2014–15. These water-surface elevation and discharge measurement data were collected for design planning of diversion structures on the Red RiChanges in total phosphorus concentration in the Red River of the North Basin, 1970-2012
The Red River of the North drains much of eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota and flows north into Manitoba, Canada, ultimately into Lake Winnipeg; therefore, water quality is an International concern. With increased runoff in the past few decades, phosphorus flux (the amount of phosphorus transported by the river) has increased. This is a concern, especially with respect to Lake WinniContinuous water-quality monitoring and regression analysis to estimate constituent concentrations and loads in the Red River of the North at Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota, 2003-12
The Red River of the North (hereafter referred to as “Red River”) Basin is an important hydrologic region where water is a valuable resource for the region’s economy. Continuous water-quality monitors have been operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the North Dakota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, City of Fargo, City of Moorhead, City of Grand Forks,Sediment loads in the Red River of the North and selected tributaries near Fargo, North Dakota, 2010--2011
Natural-resource agencies are concerned about possible geomorphic effects of a proposed diversion project to reduce the flood risk in the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area. The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers collected data in the spring of 2010 and 2011, and from June to November 2011, during rainfall-runoff events and base-flow conditions to provide infPhysical habitat, water quality, and riverine biological assemblages of selected reaches of the Sheyenne River, North Dakota, 2010
In 2010, data on physical habitat, water quality, and riverine biological assemblages were collected at selected reaches in four locations (Kleven, Sheyenne, Cooperstown, and West Fargo) on the Sheyenne River in east-central North Dakota. Three of the locations (Kleven, Sheyenne, and Cooperstown) are above Baldhill Dam and one location (West Fargo) is below Baldhill Dam on the Sheyenne River. TheSediment concentrations, loads, and particle-size distributions in the Red River of the North and selected tributaries near Fargo, North Dakota, during the 2011 spring high-flow event
To provide accurate and reliable information on sediment near the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted a study in the spring (March-May) of 2010 and the spring of 2011 to examine sediment concentrations, loads, and particle-size distributions at nine selected sites in the Red River and its tributaries. Samples oSimulation of the effects of the Devils Lake State Outlet on hydrodynamics and water quality in Lake Ashtabula, North Dakota, 2006-10
In 2010, a two-dimensional hydrodynamic and water-quality model (CE-QUAL-W2) of Lake Ashtabula, North Dakota, was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the North Dakota State Water Commission to understand the dynamics of chemical constituents in the reservoir and to provide a tool for the management and operation of the Devils Lake State Outlet in meeting the water-quality sWater-quality data for water- and wastewater-treatment plants along the Red River of the North, North Dakota and Minnesota, January through October 2006
From January through October 2006, six sets of water-quality samples were collected at 28 sites, which included inflow and outflow from seven major municipal water-treatment plants (14 sites) and influent and effluent samples from seven major municipal wastewater treatment plants (14 sites) along the Red River of the North in North Dakota and Minnesota. Samples were collected in cooperation with tCalibration of a water-quality model for low-flow conditions on the Red River of the North at Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota, 2003
A time-of-travel and reaeration-rate study was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the North Dakota Department of Health, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the cities of Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota, to provide information to calibrate a water-quality model for streamflows of less than 150 cubic feet per second. Data collected from September 24 thA history of flooding in the Red River Basin
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), one of the principal Federal agencies responsible for the collection and interpretation of water-resources data, works with other Federal, State, local, tribal, and academic entities to ensure that accurate and timely data are available for making decisions regarding public welfare and property during natural disasters and to increase public awareness of the hazaSimulation of constituent transport in the Red River of the North basin, North Dakota and Minnesota, during unsteady-flow conditions, 1977 and 2003-04
The Bureau of Reclamation identified eight water-supply alternatives for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project. Of those alternatives, six were considered for this study. Those six alternatives include a no-action alternative, two in-basin alternatives, and three interbasin alternatives. To address concerns of stakeholders and to provide information for an environmental impact statement, the U - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 14