1950 Red River flood

1950 Red River flood
DateApril 15–June 12, 1950
LocationWahpeton - Breckenridge
Fargo - Moorhead
Grand Forks - East Grand Forks
Oslo, Minnesota
Pembina, North Dakota
Winnipeg, Manitoba
DeathsCanada: 3[1]
United States: 5[2]
Property damage$600 million -$1 billion
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The Red River drainage basin, with the Red River highlighted
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The 1950 Red River flood was a devastating flood that took place along the Red River in The Dakotas and Manitoba from April 15 to June 12, 1950. Damage was particularly severe in the city of Winnipeg and its environs, which were inundated on May 5, also known as Black Friday to some residents.[3]

An estimated 70,000–100,000 residents had to be evacuated, and four of eleven bridges were destroyed. In that year, the Red River reached its highest level since 1861 and flooded most of the Red River Valley, more than 1,400 km2 (550 sq mi). One man died, and property losses due to the flood were estimated at more than $600 million to one billion.

To prevent and reduce future damage, the government constructed the Red River Floodway, which was completed in 1968. It has been estimated to have prevented more than $100 billion (CAD) in cumulative flood damage.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference CBC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference USGS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference SOS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).