Map: The planned Fargo-Moorhead Red River diversion channel

By Nathaniel Minor, Minnesota Public Radio

Public officials in North Dakota and Minnesota say a combination of levees, floodwalls, and a diversion channel is the only way to protect Fargo-Moorhead from a 500-year flood. Both cities have constructed levees and floodwalls, but the estimated $1.8 billion diversion project needs Congressional approval. When approved and funded, construction would take about 10 years. Below is a proposed route of the diversion.

Data provided by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.