1997 Red River Valley Flood Collection, 1997-

1997 Red River Valley Flood Collection

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Collection Overview

Title: 1997 Red River Valley Flood Collection, 1997-

ID: OGLMC1351

Extent: 39.25 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 00/00/1997

Subjects: Grand Forks - Floods, Grand Forks County, North Dakota - Floods, Red River Valley Flood of 1997, University of North Dakota - 1997 Red River Valley Flood

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The 1997 Red River Valley Flood Collection has been divided into ten series as follows:

Series 1: Personal Accounts

Series 2: Media Coverage

Series 3: Publications

Series 4: Governmental Organizations

Series 5: Photographs

Series 6: Audio-Visuals

Series 7: University of North Dakota

Series 8: Grand Forks Greenway

Series 9: Artifacts

Series 10: Miscellaneous

Collection Historical Note

The winter of 1996-1997 was unusually harsh as eight blizzards struck the Grand Forks region of the Red River Valley. The last and one of the most severe, Blizzard Hannah, occurred April 4-6, 1997. When the snow began to melt and the Red River began to rise, the people of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks began flood preparations in earnest. However, the cities' preparations did not anticipate the extent of the flooding. Flood preparations were made to protect the cities from a 49-foot flood crest; the actual flood crested at 54.33 feet on Tuesday, April 22. On April 18, the Red River began to overrun temporary dikes along the river. Those areas in immediate danger were evacuated. As the river continued to rise without any hint of slowing, the entire cities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks were evacuated on April 19. On that same day, a fire broke out in downtown Grand Forks that destroyed 11 buildings, including one entire block. During the evacuation, University of North Dakota and city of Grand Forks employees remained behind to continue to protect what they could from the still rising river crest and to perform those various administrative and governmental functions that needed to be done. On Thursday, April 24, government officials began to allow people back into the driest areas of town to visit their homes and begin the cleanup process. While the majority of the cleanup itself was finished by the end of the 1997 summer, reconstruction of destroyed basements, houses, and buildings has continued into 2000. In addition to these reconstruction efforts, the cities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks have been developing flood abatement strategies, most notably a 54-foot dike system in Grand Forks and a Greenway along the Red River itself.

Subject/Index Terms

Grand Forks - Floods
Grand Forks County, North Dakota - Floods
Red River Valley Flood of 1997
University of North Dakota - 1997 Red River Valley Flood

Administrative Information

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Method: The collection has received numerous donations from a variety of individual donors.

Related Publications: Please search the library catalog for a complete list

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). 1997 Red River Valley Flood Collection. OGLMC 1351, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid migrated to Archon in February 2016.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Personal Accounts],
[Series 2: Media Coverage],
[Series 3: Publications],
[Series 4: Governmental Organizations],
[Series 5: Photographs],
[Series 6: Audio-Visuals],
[Series 7: University of North Dakota],
[Series 8: Greater Grand Forks Greenway],
[Series 9: Artifacts],
[Series 10: Miscellaneous],
[All]

Series 4: Governmental Organizations

The fourth series consists of materials issued by governmental organizations. The bulk of materials were produced by committees from Grand Forks.

Sub-Series 1: Grand Forks City Council

Box 1

Folder 98: January 1999
Folder 99: February 1999
Folder 100: March 1999
Folder 101: April 1999
Folder 102: May 1999

Box 4

Folder 42: City of Grand Forks Miscellaneous Materials: 1997 and Undated

Sub-Series 2: Grand Forks Emergency Management Office

Box 2

Folder 1: Chronology of 1997 Flood Outlooks and Forecasting Activities for the East Grand Forks Forecast Point
Folder 2: Outside Assistance Requests; March 20-April 30, 1997
Folder 3: Memos to ND Department of Emergency Management; May 1-July 21, 1997
Folder 4: Press Releases; April 10, 1996- April 18, 1997 and Undated
Folder 5: Press Releases; April 19, 1997- June 9, 1997

Box 17

Folder 70: Evacuation Plan, Forms, & Notes: April 15, 1997, undated
Folder 71: Grand Forks Emergency Management Department Head Meetings: April 28-May 12, 1997
Folder 77: Grand Forks Emergency Management Press Releases: February 20-May 12, 1997

Sub-Series 3: Grand Forks Engineering Department

Box 4

Folder 58: Flood Evacuation Map, May 1997
Folder 61: Structural Inspections/Estimates: 10 August 1997 and November 4, 1997
Folder 62: Interim Business Assistance Program Boundary (Map); Summary Comparison of Flood Plans; September 29, 1997 and 1997

Box 12

Folder 4: City of Grand Forks Engineering Department, CBD Acquisition and Demolition Strategy and Interim Business Assistance Program Boundary, September 29, 1997

Sub-Series 4: Grand Forks Finance Committee

Box 1

Folder 103: February 1999
Folder 104: March 1999
Folder 105: April 1999
Folder 106: May 1999
Folder 107: June 1999
Folder 108: July 1999
Folder 109: August 1999
Folder 110: September 1999

Sub-Series 5: Grand Forks Flood Response Committee

Box 1

Folder 1: May 23, 1997
Folder 2: May 29, 1997
Folder 3: June 2, 1997
Folder 4: June 5, 1997
Folder 5: June 12, 1997
Folder 6: June 16, 1997
Folder 7: June 19, 1997
Folder 8: June 26, 1997
Folder 9: July 2, 1997
Folder 10: July 9, 1997
Folder 11: July 11, 1997
Folder 12: July 16, 1997
Folder 13: July 24, 1997
Folder 14: July 30, 1997
Folder 15: August 7, 1997
Folder 16: August 13, 1997
Folder 17: August 20, 1997
Folder 18: September 2, 1997
Folder 19: September 3, 1997
Folder 20: September 12, 1997
Folder 21: September 18, 1997
Folder 22: September 24, 1997
Folder 23: October 1, 1997
Folder 24: October 8, 1997
Folder 25: October 15, 1997
Folder 26: October 20, 1997
Folder 27: October 22, 1997
Folder 28: October 29, 1997
Folder 29: November 5, 1997
Folder 30: November 12, 1997
Folder 31: November 17, 1997
Folder 32: November 19, 1997
Folder 33: November 26, 1997
Folder 34: December 3, 1997
Folder 35: December 10, 1997
Folder 36: December 17, 1997
Folder 37: December 23, 1997
Folder 38: December 30, 1997
Folder 39: January 7, 1998
Folder 40: January 14, 1998
Folder 41: January 15, 1998
Folder 42: January 20, 1998
Folder 43: January 21, 1998
Folder 44: January 28, 1998
Folder 45: February 4, 1998
Folder 46: February 11, 1998
Folder 47: February 18, 1998
Folder 48: February 25, 1998
Folder 49: March 4, 1998
Folder 50: March 11, 1998
Folder 51: March 16, 1998
Folder 52: March 18, 1998
Folder 53: March 25, 1998
Folder 54: April 1, 1998
Folder 55: April 6, 1998
Folder 56: April 8, 1998
Folder 57: April 15, 1998
Folder 58: April 22, 1998
Folder 59: April 29, 1998
Folder 60: May 1, 1998
Folder 61: May 7, 1998
Folder 62: May 13, 1998
Folder 63: May 27, 1998
Folder 64: Council Referrals, April 1998
Folder 65: Resolution / Demolition Information, 1997
Folder 66: June 10, 1998
Folder 67: July 1, 1998
Folder 68: July 15, 1998
Folder 69: July 20, 1998
Folder 70: July 29, 1998
Folder 71: August 12, 1998
Folder 72: CDBG Scoring Criteria (from August 12, 1998 meeting)
Folder 73: August 17, 1998
Folder 74: August 26, 1998
Folder 75: September 8, 1998
Folder 76: September 16, 1998
Folder 77: September 30, 1998
Folder 78: October 14, 1998
Folder 79: November 12, 1998
Folder 80: November 24, 1998
Folder 81: Tax Increment Project, 1998
Folder 82: University Village Infrastructure Development, August 12, 1998
Folder 83: December 17, 1998
Folder 84: January 14, 1999
Folder 85: February 17, 1999
Folder 86: March 16, 1999
Folder 87: April 21, 1999
Folder 88: May 6, 1999
Folder 89: May 12, 1999
Folder 90: June 16, 1999
Folder 91: July 20, 1999
Folder 92: July 29, 1999
Folder 93: August 11, 1999
Folder 94: September 1, 1999
Folder 95: September 16, 1999
Folder 96: October 13, 1999

Box 3

Folder 42: Grand Forks Government Web Pages, 1998

Box 4

Folder 40: Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Open House and Community Conversation; January 8, 1998

Box 12

Folder 1: Flood Response/Protection Committee Meeting Supplemental Materials, 1997-1999

Box 17

Folder 6: Flood Protection Committee Minutes: November 1999-February 2000
Folder 7: Flood Protection Committee & Map: March & April 2000
Folder 8: Flood Protection Committee/Subcommittee: May 5, 2000
Folder 9: Flood Protection Committee: May 10, 2000
Folder 10: Flood Protection Subcommittee and the Park Board: May 18, 2000
Folder 11: Flood Protection Committee Minutes: June 14, 2000

Sub-Series 6: Grand Forks Mayor's Office

Box 17

Folder 44: Northridge Hills Court letter to Mayor Pat Owens and City Council
Folder 67: Statement by Mayor Pat Owens: April 19, 1997

Sub-Series 7: Grand Forks Public Information Center

Box 25

Folder 2: "Grand Forks, ND Historic Flood - Remarkable Recovery: 10 Years Later...Rebuilt. Renewed. Reborn", Spring 2007: Published by the Public Information Center on the 10th Anniversary of the 1997 Grand Forks Flood

Sub-Series 8: Grand Forks Public Safety Committee

Box 1

Folder 111: February 1999
Folder 112: March 1999
Folder 113: April 1999
Folder 114: June 1999
Folder 115: July 1999
Folder 116: August 1999
Folder 117: September 1999

Sub-Series 9: Grand Forks Public Service Committee

Box 1

Folder 118: February 1999
Folder 119: March 1999
Folder 120: April 1999
Folder 121: June 1999
Folder 122: July 1999
Folder 123: August 1999
Folder 124: September 1999

Sub-Series 10: Grand Forks Urban Development Committee

Box 1

Folder 125: February 1999
Folder 126: March 1999
Folder 127: May 1999
Folder 128: June 1999
Folder 129: July 1999
Folder 130: August 1999
Folder 131: September 1999

Sub-Series 11: Grand Forks Recovery Planning Team

Box 17

Folder 97: Recovery Planning Team meetings, 1998

Sub-Series 12: North Dakota State Government

Box 3

Folder 41: Governmental Flood Information: Grand Forks, FEMA, North Dakota State, 1998
Folder 43: State Agency Summaries of After Action Reports, Undated
Folder 44: North Dakota After Action Report–Historical Perspective, March 1998
Folder 45: Winter Storm Disaster Chronology, March 1998
Folder 46: Labor Market Information–Impact of the Flood on Grand Forks County, March 1998

Box 4

Folder 51: Business and Licensing Information
Folder 59: "Consumers Beware of Flood Scams." North Dakota Office of Attorney General

Box 17

Folder 80: State News Releases: April 22, 1997 & May 16, 1997

Box 25

Folder 4: Board Report: Proceedings of the State Board of Higher Education (North Dakota University System), 1997-1998

Sub-Series 13: United States Federal Government

Box 3

Folder 38: FEMA–Help After a Disaster; 1996-1997
Folder 39: Defense LINK (military), FEMA, Air Force News-Grand Forks, International Joint Commission, April-November 1997
Folder 53: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Long-Term Flood Abatement Project, 1997-1998
Folder 54: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Greenway Plan; May 1997
Folder 56: Department of the Army–St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers; Cover Letter, Flood Control Project Draft EIS Scoping Document; June 1998
Folder 58: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Red River Greenway; 1998-1999 and undated
Folder 64: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Draft of General Reevaluation Report and Environmental Impact Statement; August 1998
Folder 65: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Draft of General Reevaluation Report and Environmental Impact Statement Supplementary Documentation Vol. 1 (Appendices A-C); August 1998

Box 4

Folder 1: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Draft of General Reevaluation Report and Environmental Impact Statement Supplementary Documentation Vol. 2 (Appendices D-L); August 1998
Folder 16: "Grand Forks, ND: SBA White Paper," May 1998
Folder 31: FEMA Handouts and Check Insert, 1997
Folder 33: U.S. Small Business Administration: Cover Letter, SBA Disaster Loan Information and Application Materials, 1997
Folder 36: Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense: Certificate of Appreciation from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, October 27, 1997
Folder 46: Summary of Downtown Grand Forks Structures on the National Register of Historic Places, October 1997
Folder 60: Emergency Help Line Phone Numbers of Federal Agencies, 22 April 1997

Box 12

Folder 2: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Flood Control Maps, July 1998
Folder 3: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Red River of the North Greenway Conceptual Plan, 1998?

Box 17

Folder 12: Protection Cooperation Agreement between the cities of East Grand Forks, Grand Forks and the Department of the Army
Folder 81: FEMA, SBA, & National Press Releases: 1993, 1995, 1997, undated
Folder 84: Schedules for visits by President Bill Clinton, Elizabeth Dole, and James Lee Witt: April 21 & 22, 1997 and May 14, 1997
Folder 85: National Weather Service Flood Statements: April 7 and 14, 1997
Folder 89: Federal Assets Summary: May 1997

Sub-Series 14: International

Box 3

Folder 40: Information from the website of the International Joint Commission, December 1997

Box 17

Folder 1: Final Report of the International Joint Commission: The Next Flood: Getting Prepared: The International Joint Commission was an American and Canadian agency which studied the 1997 Flood and made recommendations to avert future floods. http://www.ijc.org .
Folder 19: International Flood Mitigation Initiative
Folder 20: Living with the Red by the International Joint Commission: November 2000

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