Impact of F-M Diversions at Thompson Bridge

A new Corps of Engineers report says a North Dakota diversion ditch around Fargo-Moorhead would increasing flooding at the Thompson bridge by nearly 16 inches during a 100-year flood.

The Corps is studying the impacts of both a North Dakota and Minnesota Diversion that would carry 35 thousand cubic feet of water per second.

Its study finds that 200 more structures would be affected during a 100-year flood between Fargo and Thompson if a North Dakota Diversion is build. With a Minnesota diversion, the number of additional threatened structures drops to 127.

The water at Thompson would be 9 inches higher with a Minnesota Diversion and 16 inches higher with a west-side diversion.

Even during a 10 year flood, the water would be a foot higher at Thompson with a North Dakota Diversion.

The Corps is still analyzing what the impacts would be north of Thompson.