Transcript Slide 1

The People, The Land, The Water:
An Overview of the Red River Basin
International Water Institute Staff: 2015
Source: USGS
1300
History of Settlement
1750’s
1732
Indian tribes from MN
and WI developed a
strong sense of
permanence and stability
in the Red River Basin.
Pierre Gaultier de Varennes
was the first European explorer
to reach the Red River. He
called it the Red River because
of the reddish brown silt it
carries.
The principal tribes of
the RRB were the
Cree, Cheyenne, and
Yanktonai Dakota
1811
1812
Assiniboia, the first
permanent settlement
by Europeans in the
Red River Basin was
established.
Why We Flood
Scottish families in
Manitoba were the
first to farm in the
Red River Valley.
1820’s-1850’s
Red River Ox Carts were
the primary
transportation for
carrying goods from the
Red River Valley to St.
Paul. The historic trails
can still be seen in
places.
1858
Homestead Act was
passed by US Congress
which led to many
pioneers settling in
the Valley.
1862
1870
Minnesota became
a state.
1889
1871-1886
Canada established the
province of Manitoba
“Bonanza Farms” became
popular with thousands of acres
under plow. This time also saw
a six-fold increase in population
in the Red River Valley.
The Dakota Territory was
divided into North Dakota
and South Dakota
Wildlife
A relatively shallow and meandering river channel– a shallow channel holds less water and the meandering
can cause flow to slow down as the channel makes its turns, causing overbank flooding.
The Red River of the North Basin has relatively abundant and diverse natural resources. The aquatic resources
include an extensive network of river and streams that sustain populations of more than 80 fish species and
includes the Red River -a world-renowned channel catfish fishery. The region is also home to the state’s only
populations of elk and prairie chicken who depend on the remaining diverse terrestrial habitats. These habitats
include public and private lands within the unique aspen parklands region, the wetland rich portion of the
prairie potholes, and almost all of Minnesota’s
remaining native prairies. The diversity and
extent of these natural resource features are
often overshadowed by frequent and extensive
spring and summer flooding of the regions cities
and abundant agricultural lands.
A gentle slope (averaging 0.5 to 1.5 feet per mile) that inhibits channel flow and encourages overland
flooding or water “ponding” (especially on even, saturated ground) in the basin.
The northerly direction of flow–flow in the Red River travels from south (upstream) to north (downstream).
The direction of flow becomes a critical factor in the spring when the southern (upstream) part of the Red
River has thawed and the northern (downstream) part of the channel is still frozen. As water moves north
toward the still frozen river channel, ice jams and substantial backwater flow and flooding can occur.
Geography/Land Use
Photo Credit: Asher Kingery
The Red River of the North is the youngest major river system in the lower 48
states, only coming into existence after the final drainage of Glacial Lake
Agassiz waters approximately 9,200 years ago. Due to the relatively recent
drainage of Lake Agassiz and (in areas) the 95 feet of clay and silt-rich soils it
left behind, the Red River Valley is a world-renowned agricultural production
area. Since extensive European settlement began in the 19th Century, the
Red River Valley (and wider Red River Basin) has undergone a major
transformation in land use and appearance. The Red River Basin in presettlement times was composed almost exclusively of open prairie in the west
and forested areas to the east. Currently, the makeup of land use in the US
portion of the basin shows a stark difference from the past, composed of at
least 74% agricultural land and approximately 12% forested, 4%
water/wetlands, 3% urban, and 7% other categories.
Climate and Weather
The climate and weather in the Basin are extreme and the effects of these patterns can be just as
extreme.
The average temperature in Fargo is only 41.5 degrees Fahrenheit but the summer temperatures rise to
develop a very productive growing season. Average precipitation (rain and snow) is around 21 inches with
an average of 40 inches of snow per year.
Although climate data averages over 30 year periods show
relatively stable conditions, the weather events of the Red
River Basin can range in size, duration, and have devastating
effects. The Great Plains of the US are exposed to quickly
changing conditions and can see variation from storm to storm.
High winds, heavy rains, hail, tornadoes, and extreme temps
(-40 to 100+) can be felt year after year.
Sources: NDSU, NWF, MCEA
Recreation (Paddling/Fishing/Hunting)
National Weather Service
Agribusiness
River recreation opportunities are abundant in the Red River Basin
and can be thought of as river-dependent such as boating, fishing,
and swimming and river-associated such as walking trails, parks,
and some winter uses. While canoeing has been the traditional
paddling pursuit since the fur trade era, kayaking has surged in
popularity and has proven to be a very flexible way to explore the
many tributaries throughout the Red River basin. Paddlers can
easily find waters nearby to suite their skills and interests, from
gentle meandering flows through cottonwood lined corridors to
rapids swiftly moving among rocks below tall bluffs. These river
corridors also offer perhaps the best remaining landscapes to view
a wide variety of wildlife up close and personal.
About 74 percent of the land area in the Red River basin is agricultural, of which 66 percent is cropland and 8
percent is pasture and range land. Principal crops are wheat, barley, oats, sugar beets, potatoes, corn, beans,
forage grasses, and sunflowers.
Gross returns for most crops have increased substantially in recent years to $300 to $400 per acre. Those
returns provide for increased net farm income to levels
which have not been experienced in the past 25 years.
However, since 2004 production costs have increased
between 50% and 60%.
In 2012, Cass County (home to Fargo) ranked first
nationally in the value of soybeans, grains, oilseeds,
dry beans and dry peas sold and third nationally in
the value of corn sold for grain.
Photo Credit: Wayne Goeken
Water Quality
Water quality is the measure of the suitability of water for a particular use based on selected physical, chemical
and biological characteristics.
The basic properties needed for the support of aquatic life and recreational uses include pH, adequate dissolved
oxygen and a level of clarity in the water. Dissolved oxygen from the southern portion of the basin to the north is
normally at acceptable levels. The only exceptions are during the extreme hot summer temperatures where
oxygen gets depleted, and in isolated areas with extensive decomposition.
Turbidity is an ongoing issue in especially in the southern watersheds. The trend exhibited by the myriad of data
over several years shows high water clarity from the Eastern portions of the RRV which declines as the water
travels West toward the Red River.
Other than a few reports of high pH that may pose stress to aquatic life, the data shows the concentration of pH
for most of the RRV supports aquatic life and recreation.
The knowledge of water quality is such an important aspect of conservation and protection of our water
resources that there is regular monitoring to ensure the preservation and protection of water in already good
condition, and the restoration of waters that do not meet standard.
Photo Credit: Ag Week
Collaborative Public Policy
The Red River Basin includes counties, states, several cities, and of course two counties. All of these
units of government must work together to form comprehensive watershed policies. In certain
locations, there are county lines that intersect watershed boundaries that have separate policies.
Along with these more local units are state and federal agencies that oversee policies in each state or
country. These agencies are responsible to manage resources within state or county boundaries. The
groups and committees that have international support have several appointees from each state or
province that make the up the basin.
Team members:
Asher Kingery
Wayne Goeken
Evelyn Ashiamah
Danni Halvorson
Andy Ulven
Grit May
Donna Kristianson
Program Contact Information:
Chuck Fritz
Support and funding provided by:
“Support for the River Watch Program is provided by the Sand Hill River Watershed District, State of Minnesota, Minnesota Clean Water Fund, Pollution Control Agency and the Red River Watershed Management Board.”