Minnesota in Photos

An exploration of our state in images.

Send Us Your Photos

May 1, 2013

Photos: Fargo and Moorhead, before and during flooding

By Nathaniel Minor
  • E-mail
  • Print
  • Save
  • Digg
  • Share

Even though the 2013 Red River flood is not as severe as the National Weather Service initially forecasted, it still made for dramatic images. The river rose from 15 feet just a few weeks ago when the "before" photos in this series were taken, to 33 feet this week.

Click the images to see transition

1

This before-after pair of images shows the Red River of the North from the Main Avenue bridge looking south on April 18, and again on April 30. (Click image to see transition) (MPR Photos/Nathaniel Minor)
link to this photo

2

A car travels on 3rd Street in Moorhead, which regularly closes during flood season, on April 18, and the same area on April 30. (Click image to see transition) (MPR Photos/Nathaniel Minor)
link to this photo

3

A pedestrian staircase to 3rd Street in Moorhead on April 18, and again on April 30. (Click image to see transition) (MPR Photos/Nathaniel Minor) link to this photo

4

3rd Street in Moorhead, taken from the Moorhead City Mall parking garage, on April 19, and again on April 30. (Click image to see transition) (MPR Photos/Nathaniel Minor) link to this photo

5

Dike Park East in Fargo on April 9, and again on April 29. (Click image to see transition) (MPR Photos/Nathaniel Minor) link to this photo

6

Woodlawn Park in Moorhead on April 10, and again on April 30. (Click image to see transition) (MPR Photos/Nathaniel Minor) link to this photo

7

Woodlawn Park in Moorhead on April 10, and again on April 30.(Click image to see transition) (MPR Photos/Nathaniel Minor) link to this photo

Read more 2013 flood coverage:

Before and after photos: Home buyouts in Fargo-Moorhead key to flood fight
The cities of Fargo, N.D. and Moorhead, Minn. have purchased and removed hundreds of flood-prone homes along the Red River since the record flood of 2009. In some cases, permanent levees now protect the remaining homes. As a result, the cities require fewer sandbags and less manpower when fighting floods now.

Why was the Fargo flood forecast off by so much?
The Red River at Fargo crested today at a little more than 33 feet, about eight feet lower than what the National Weather Service forecast just two weeks ago.

Photos: Fargo's 'Sandbag Central' volunteers reflect on flood fight
Volunteers wrote their thoughts on an empty sandbag with a black marker.

Photos: Here's how Fargo's 'Sandbag Central' works
Volunteers in Fargo, N.D., started filling sandbags Wednesday in preparation for flooding along the Red River expected later this month.

More slideshows »

Become a sponsor