I was remembering the Red River Flood of 1997 in April and May of that year as I was out for my training ride today. As I remember it all of the Red River of the North, in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Southern Manitoba was underwater. It was the most severe flood of the river since 1826 (map depicting flooding 1850). The flood reached throughout the Red River Valley, affecting the cities of Fargo and Winnipeg. The estimated total damages for the Red River region were US$3.5 billion.

The flood was the result of abundant snowfall and extreme temperatures. You and probably many people you know prepared for the flood with sandbag dikes (based on a 49-foot estimate of flooding). However, the river crested at 54 feet. Grand Forks evacuation of over 50,000 people and a large portion of the city would eventually be flooded. Flooding in Manitoba resulted in over $500 million in damages, "Duff's Ditch" saved Winnipeg city from flooding.

Donations from across the nation flooded in (pun intended), along with billions in federal aid. New dikes have been built to prevent damages from future floods and the flood way is presently being expanded.

The Tuesday Workout: ~ 3-hours base, on the fixie mountain bike (36/16) - in the water and on the ice. Very windy.