Red River could crest below flood stage

The Red River is expected to crest below flood stage in Grand Forks, N.D., this spring, the National Weather Service said today.

The weather service issued its first river crest projections of the season, following earlier projections of no widespread flooding.

The weather service said the Red River in Grand Forks could crest at 20 feet with normal precipitation and 22 feet with above-normal precipitation. Flood stage is 28 feet.

In Fargo, the outlook is for a 16-foot crest with normal moisture and 16 1/2 feet with above-normal moisture. Flood stage in Fargo is 17 feet.

The National Weather Service said Devils Lake will peak at about 1,446.5 feet, with normal moisture and evaporation rates through August. Above-normal moisture would raise the peak to 1,448 feet, about a foot higher than last year, the weather service said.

The lake is now at 1,446.15 feet, the weather service said.