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RED RIVER VALLEY DEVASTATED BY FLOODS At the end of June, the outlook for the remainder of 1975 was bright in eastern North Dakota. Although delayed by seemingly continual rainfall, the seeding of fields in the Red River Valley was complete, and already bumper crops were predicted. Then, with devastating suddenness, the floods came. More than 12 inches of rain fell on some areas in less than a day's time, sending the Red and Sheyenne Rivers over their banks and into neighboring fields and towns. On July 15, Grand Forks reported that the Red River had crested at 43.20 feet, a point nearly 16 feet above flood stage, and it was expected to rise to 44 feet. It was the worst flood in the state in years. The little Red River-normally a stone's throw across-stretched for miles at some points. Fargoans hungry for pizza had a difficult time finding a parking spot at Shakeys. 40 ----------------------------------~~-----~~/;.~?~-----, Detours were common on water-covered city streets as well as highways where vehicles were unable to maneuver. Farms and entire communities were evacuated, and the all-too-familiar scene of crews working day and night on the permanent and temporary dikes became commonplace. Four days of heavy storms resulted in the loss of crops, soil erosion, and floods covering more than one million acres of farmland. Detour signs dotted city streets and highways that were closed because of high water and sandbagging operations. Included were Interstate 29 north of Fargo, Interstate 94, U.S. 81, and U.S.10. What was once a baseball diamond became a temporary shallow lake as run off from over a foot of rain collected there. 'l l f 1i 1. I .. "No balls, no strikes, no game." Flooding put a damper on many activities in the Red River Valley. ;r. "t