DRAFTThe People, The Land, The Water:

An Overview of the Red River BasinInternational Water Institute Staff: 2015

Team members: Asher KingeryWayne GoekenEvelyn AshiamahDanni HalvorsonAndy UlvenGrit MayDonna Kristianson

Why We Flood

Support and funding provided by:“Support for the River Watch Program is provided by the Sand Hill River Watershed District, State of Minnesota, Minnesota Clean Water Fund, Pollution Control Agency and the Red River Watershed Management Board.”

History of Settlement

Water Quality

Program Contact Information: Chuck Fritz

Agribusiness

Geography/Land Use

Recreation

(Paddling/Fishing/Hunting)

Climate and Weather

Wildlife

Collaborative Public Policy

River recreation opportunities are abundant in the Red River Basin and can be thought of as river-dependent such as boating, fishing, and swimming and river-associated such as walking trails, parks, and some winter uses. While canoeing has been the traditional paddling pursuit since the fur trade era, kayaking has surged in popularity and has proven to be a very flexible way to explore the many tributaries throughout the Red River basin. Paddlers can easily find waters nearby to suite their skills and interests, from gentle meandering flows through cottonwood lined corridors to rapids swiftly moving among rocks below tall bluffs. These river corridors also offer perhaps the best remaining landscapes to view a wide variety of wildlife up close and personal.

A relatively shallow and meandering river channel– a shallow channel holds less water and the meandering can cause flow to slow down as the channel makes its turns, causing overbank flooding.

A gentle slope (averaging 0.5 to 1.5 feet per mile) that inhibits channel flow and encourages overland flooding or water “ponding” (especially on even, saturated ground) in the basin. The northerly direction of flow–flow in the Red River travels from south (upstream) to north (downstream). The direction of flow becomes a critical factor in the spring when the southern (upstream) part of the Red River has thawed and the northern (downstream) part of the channel is still frozen. As water moves north toward the still frozen river channel, ice jams and substantial backwater flow and flooding can occur.

The climate and weather in the Basin are extreme and the effects of these patterns can be just as extreme. The average temperature in Fargo is only 41.5 degrees Fahrenheit but the summer temperatures rise to develop a very productive growing season. Average precipitation (rain and snow) is around 21 inches with an average of 40 inches of snow per year.Although climate data averages over 30 year periods show relatively stable conditions, the weather events of the Red River Basin can range in size, duration, and have devastating effects. The Great Plains of the US are exposed to quickly changing conditions and can see variation from storm to storm. High winds, heavy rains, hail, tornadoes, and extreme temps (-40 to 100+) can be felt year after year.

The Red River of the North is the youngest major river system in the lower 48 states, only coming into existence after the final drainage of Glacial Lake Agassiz waters approximately 9,200 years ago. Due to the relatively recent drainage of Lake Agassiz and (in areas) the 95 feet of clay and silt-rich soils it left behind, the Red River Valley is a world-renowned agricultural production area. Since extensive European settlement began in the 19th Century, the Red River Valley (and wider Red River Basin) has undergone a major transformation in land use and appearance. The Red River Basin in pre-settlement times was composed almost exclusively of open prairie in the west and forested areas to the east. Currently, the makeup of land use in the US portion of the basin shows a stark difference from the past, composed of at least 74% agricultural land and approximately 12% forested, 4% water/wetlands, 3% urban, and 7% other categories.

The Red River of the North Basin has relatively abundant and diverse natural resources. The aquatic resources include an extensive network of river and streams that sustain populations of more than 80 fish species and includes the Red River -a world-renowned channel catfish fishery. The region is also home to the state’s only populations of elk and prairie chicken who depend on the remaining diverse terrestrial habitats. These habitats include public and private lands within the unique aspen parklands region, the wetland rich portion of the prairie potholes, and almost all of Minnesota’s remaining native prairies. The diversity and extent of these natural resource features are often overshadowed by frequent and extensive spring and summer flooding of the regions cities and abundant agricultural lands.

About 74 percent of the land area in the Red River basin is agricultural, of which 66 percent is cropland and 8 percent is pasture and range land. Principal crops are wheat, barley, oats, sugar beets, potatoes, corn, beans, forage grasses, and sunflowers.  Gross returns for most crops have increased substantially in recent years to $300 to $400 per acre. Those returns provide for increased net farm income to levels which have not been experienced in the past 25 years. However, since 2004 production costs have increased between 50% and 60%.

In 2012, Cass County (home to Fargo) ranked first nationally in the value of soybeans, grains, oilseeds, dry beans and dry peas sold and third nationally in the value of corn sold for grain.

Water quality is the measure of the suitability of water for a particular use based on selected physical, chemical and biological characteristics. The basic properties needed for the support of aquatic life and recreational uses include pH, adequate dissolved oxygen and a level of clarity in the water. Dissolved oxygen from the southern portion of the basin to the north is normally at acceptable levels. The only exceptions are during the extreme hot summer temperatures where oxygen gets depleted, and in isolated areas with extensive decomposition.Turbidity is an ongoing issue in especially in the southern watersheds. The trend exhibited by the myriad of data over several years shows high water clarity from the Eastern portions of the RRV which declines as the water travels West toward the Red River. Other than a few reports of high pH that may pose stress to aquatic life, the data shows the concentration of pH for most of the RRV supports aquatic life and recreation. The knowledge of water quality is such an important aspect of conservation and protection of our water resources that there is regular monitoring to ensure the preservation and protection of water in already good condition, and the restoration of waters that do not meet standard.

Indian tribes from MN and WI developed a strong sense of permanence and stability in the Red River Basin.

Pierre Gaultier de Varennes was the first European explorer to reach the Red River. He called it the Red River because of the reddish brown silt it carries.

The principal tribes of the RRB were the Cree, Cheyenne, and Yanktonai Dakota

Assiniboia, the first permanent settlement by Europeans in the Red River Basin was established.

Minnesota became a state.

Scottish families in Manitoba were the first to farm in the Red River Valley.

Red River Ox Carts were the primary transportation for carrying goods from the Red River Valley to St. Paul. The historic trails can still be seen in places.

Homestead Act was passed by US Congress which led to many pioneers settling in the Valley.

Canada established the province of Manitoba

“Bonanza Farms” became popular with thousands of acres under plow. This time also saw a six-fold increase in population in the Red River Valley.

The Dakota Territory was divided into North Dakota and South Dakota

1300 1732 1750’s 1811 1812 18581820’s-1850’s 18701862 18891871-1886

The Red River Basin includes counties, states, several cities, and of course two counties. All of these units of government must work together to form comprehensive watershed policies. In certain locations, there are county lines that intersect watershed boundaries that have separate policies.

Along with these more local units are state and federal agencies that oversee policies in each state or country. These agencies are responsible to manage resources within state or county boundaries. The groups and committees that have international support have several appointees from each state or province that make the up the basin.

Photo Credit: Ag Week

National Weather Service

Photo Credit: Asher Kingery

Photo Credit: Wayne Goeken

Sources: NDSU, NWF, MCEA

Source: USGS