USGS Responds to Spring Flooding in North Dakota

USGS hydrographer Spencer Wheeling gets equipment ready to collect a flood water-quality sample on the Wild Rice River near St. Benedict, North Dakota. Collecting water-quality samples helps communities assess the sources and fate of contaminants in aquatic systems, to protect and enhance water resources for human health, aquatic health and environmental quality.
The USGS Dakota Water Science Center began their spring flood response on March 9, 2020, when melting snow caused river levels to exceed flood stage at sixteen USGS streamgage locations in eastern South Dakota.  At the height of operations, thirty-seven streamgages located on the James, Big Sioux and Red River Basin in eastern South and North Dakota were above flood stage. Flood response continues, although water levels are receding.