Mitigation of Extremes:
Floods and Droughts in the Sand Hill River Watershed
Home of the Knights
Climax-Shelly Public School / SHRW / March, 2013
Natural Resource Project Profile
Introduction and Project Need
Many of the communities within the SHRW, including
the city of Climax, experienced record flood levels
during the spring of 1997 and 2009. Significant
emergency measures were needed, such as
temporary emergency levees, sandbagging, utility
protection, etc. These emergency measures were
implemented by the cities and carried out by their
community members.
Designated Use Support Assessment
The Climax-Shelly River Watch Team has been collecting data since 1995. Our sites are located in the
downstream portion of the SHRW. We have also been monitoring two Red River sites; one on each side of the
confluence of the Sand Hill River and the Red River. Our purpose in monitoring these Red River sites is to
determine if the turbidity of the Sand Hill River contributes, in part, to the turbidity of the Red River.
Sand Hill River Use Assessment Table 2003-2012
The American Meteorological Society has defined drought as a prolonged period of abnormal moisture
deficiency and/or unusually hot weather. Droughts have affected the northern Great Plains climate
numerous times during the past 2000 years. Two of the most severe droughts to affect the northern Plains
in the recent past occurred during the “Dust Bowl” in the 1930s and from 1988 to 1992. Given the
importance of a reliable water supply for use in all aspects of daily activities, planning for the next drought
is a high priority for all.
Sand Hill River at Climax, MN
When comparing the 1988 discharge from the Sand Hill
River to that of 2012, notice the extreme difference in
the spring flow. This is due to the minimal snow accumulation during the winter of 2012, thus minimal melt
water in the spring. By early May, the flow measurements are roughly equal, and, except for the peaks
caused by a rain event, remain relatively the same
throughout the summer and into October.
The SHRW District has proposed a levee improvement
for the City of Climax which will provide a higher level of permanent flood protection for the community and
minimize future flooding impacts.
This will primarily involve:
● construction of flood control levees
● storm water pumping stations and equipment
● flood prone property acquisition
● water/waste water utility protection
● project design
The implementation of the new levees required a buy-out of 5 homes situated on the west edge of town. The
map below shows the new levee system in dark green, with the internal water storage area in blue. Also note
the emergency enclosure over State Highway 220, the new storm water pumping stations and utility
protection for water and waste water.
Red River Basin Drought Planning Tool
Comparing Droughts: 1988 to 2012
Project Goals
Implementation
Climax-Shelly River Watch Team
Drought Indices
Drought indices are used to provide a consistent method of comparing numeric measures of drought. The
most commonly used drought index is the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). This index is a measure of
departure from an average water supply for a given region. Factors such as soil recharge, runoff, moisture
loss, and evapotranspiration are considered. However, human impacts (such as irrigation) are not.
Data Analysis
To illustrate how similar the drought indices are for western MN between 1988 and 2012, compare the two
maps below for the month of September.
Parameter Use Support Assessment Possible Reason(s)
Dissolved Oxygen Fully Supporting
Elevation changes from upstream to
downstream result in swift-flowing water which
can incorporate oxygen with the water’s
movement.
pH
Partial and Non-Supporting
pH is an important indicator of water that is
chemically changing. This high pH may be a
result of agricultural chemicals since 75% of the
SHRW is cultivated for agricultural use.
Turbidity and
Transparency
Non-Supporting
Non-Supporting
The lower elevation of the western end of the
SHRW, coupled with the channelization project
of the 1950’s greatly increases the river’s
speed, keeping the tiny clay-sized particles in
suspension for a long period of time.
Forecasted Stream Flow
Decile values are used to better determine drought severity. Deciles range from 1 to 10 and provide a way
to determine how a current value compares to values from the past. Records from the previous years are
compiled and ordered from least to greatest, and divided into groups of 10. Each group, then, is one-tenth
of the long-term precipitation/stream flow distribution; the fifth decile being the mean. With historic data
grouped in this way, current precipitation and stream flow measurements can readily be compared and
ranked.
The monthly Subbasin Forecast Conditions Water Report for the Red River near Thompson, ND forecasts the
following:
Parameter
Flood Control Benefits
●
●
●
●
Flood protection for the community of Climax, MN
267 residents / 112 households protected
Protection of estimated $7M in real estate value – not including personal property
Permanent flood protection to flood of record plus 3-ft of freeboard
Estimated Project Cost
Forecast
Description and Interpretation
Average Stream Flow (cfs) Percent of Normal: 40
Decile Value: 6
The forecasted average stream flow is 555 cfs
compared to normal flow of 1,397 cfs.
Upper Zone Tension Water Percent of Normal: 209
Content (UZTWC)
Decile Value: 10
The UZTWC is the measure of water available
for evapotranspiration. The average depth of
this zone is forecasted at 1.57 inches,
compared to a normal depth of only 0.75
inches.
The estimated overall cost of the project is $2,500,000 to $2,700,000. The state of MN’s portion of the cost is
$2,400,000 to $2,600,000. The non-State City portion of the cost ($100,000) is based on 2% of the Median
Household Income.
While the UZTWC remains high, the average stream flow is at only 40% of normal. Since the absence of
timely precipitation this growing season could deplete this zone of its water content, water conservation
measures may need to be taken until the average stream flow increases.
Final plans and specifications are anticipated to be complete late spring early summer 2013. Funding for the
construction phase of the project is currently being requested from state legislature.
River Watch Team Members
*All photos and information courtesy Houston Engineering, TRF, MN
The parameter used in this assessment is transparency.
Transparency has a standard of 20 cm in Minnesota.
Co-Captains:
Seniors:
Program Support / Contact Information:
Climax-Shelly Public School
111 East Broadway
Climax, MN 56523
(218)857-2385 http://climax.k12.mn.us
Support for the River Watch Program is provided by
the State of Minnesota, Minnesota Clean Water Fund,
Pollution Control Agency and the Red River Watershed
Management Board.
Juniors:
Sophomores:
Advisor:
Patrick Cakebread
Kyli Bowling
Janelle Hofer
Rachel Thoresen
Robert Baskerville
Hailey Eidenschink
Mrs. Karen Thoreson
Claire Carlson
Cherith Grove
Richie Rarick
Taylor Grove
Elijah Swenson
Bailey Solheim
Heather Grove
Sunshine Spaeth