The geology of the Red River flood plain

Underwater
Several garages in north Fargo are being claimed by Red River flood waters.
MPR Photo/Than Tibbetts

Blizzard conditions in North Dakota and winter storms in northwestern Minnesota today are just adding more moisture to an already swollen Red River Valley.

But, while residents and volunteers are working hard to contain floodwaters right now, overflowing spring thaws have been a regular occurrence in the region again since 1993.

To explain why the Red seems to spill over its banks with such consistency, All Things Considered called Don Schwert, a professor in geology at North Dakota State University in Fargo.