The Creation of the Diversion
Unlike Fargo Moorhead, West Fargo and nearby Horace are protected by permanent flood protection in the form a diversion channel that channels the waters of the Sheyenne River. In the 18 year history of the Diversion it has never failed and has stood against the record level floods of 1997 and 2009.
The Horace Diversion which runs south and west of Horace take the Sheyenne River through a channel that runs 7.4 miles to the north which then connects to West Fargo Diversion south of I-94 where the river diverts around the city. The channel rejoins the Sheyenne River north of 12th Avenue North where the river continues its flow to the Red River.
The construction of the diversion began in the Spring of 1990 and was finished in the Fall of 1992
The diversion in West Fargo features:
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6.8 Mile Diversion Control
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12.7 Miles of Protection Levees
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4 Diversion Structures
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2 Pumping Stations (54,000 GPM & 66,000 GPM)
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1 Railroad Bridge
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4 Highway Bridges
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6 Road Raises
The Diversion Channel is designed to discharge 4,600 cubic feet per second
The Cost of the Diversion
The total cost of the diversion was $27,800,000 and it was paid for in a variety of ways:
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Federal Funding-Corps of Engineers - $17,000,000
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State of North Dakota Funding – State Water Commission $2,000,000
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Department of Transportation $1,025,000
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Local Funding – Special Assessment District-$7,500,000
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Interest Earned - $275,000
Property that is Protected by the Diversion:
Property Type Original Since 2008
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Developed Properties 4,1507,095
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Developed Property Value $280,000,000$1,395,000,000
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Acres of Developed Land 2,250 3,580
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Acres of Agricultural Land 2,800 1,350
Ways to Stay Informed:
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Watch the Public Access Channel (Channel 12)
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Check with our website for any breaking news
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Click here to sign up for Code Red
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Click here to check the river levels