"They're still telling residents (that live) along the streams and tributaries in the southern Red River Valley to prepare for major flooding," he said.
At a conference call Friday, the Chanhassen, Minn.-based center did not release specific river level predictions and does not plan to until the water starts moving. The long range forecast for March 13-19 shows above normal temperature and below normal precipitation.
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Although some may believe the current warm weather alters the area's future flood impact, they would be mistaken - the snow level has dropped only a couple inches. Forecasters explained the reduction does nothing to reduce the danger of flooding, it only indicates moisture is moving to a lower elevation, said Richels.
After checking the water equivalent in the snow himself Friday morning, Richels found it had reduced by less than 10 percent compared to Feb. 11.
"The weather certainly doesn't hurt, but it's not as great as you think it would be," he said.
Overland flooding and ice jams are still predicted. White Rock Dam, which controls water flowing north on the Bois de Sioux River, and Orwell Dam, near Fergus Falls, Minn., will continue to discharge at current levels. Unless the water starts moving beforehand, more detailed flood predictions will be released by the river forecast center March 19, said Richels.
On Monday, a public flood meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Breckenridge City Hall.
"We'll get into some of these things more in-depth then and try to keep people as well informed as we can," said Richels.
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