Flights Check Rivers For Dam Failures, Other Issues

Civil Air Patrol is providing aerial reconnaissance as an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force as rivers and tributaries in North Dakota and South Dakota continue to rise. 

Red River Near Pembina, ND. Photo Courtesy CAP

Current media reports indicate the Red River will crest this weekend at 38 feet in the Fargo/Moorhead, MN, area. Members of CAP's North Dakota and South Dakota Wings have assisted with preparations for flooding in the two cities by helping fill more than 1 million sandbags. "We knew ahead of time this mission was coming our way, and we were ready for it," said Col. Steve Kuddes, CAP's North Central Region commander. "I am proud of our outstanding members in all of the affected wings. They took their own time to prepare before these floods, and their work is outstanding."

The mission has changed its focus from filling sandbags to aerial surveys, said Kuddes. Thursday, the North Dakota Wing flew a survey mission of Absaraka near Casselton to check reports that the dam has failed.

On Wednesday North Dakota aircrews surveyed Beaver Creek from the Missouri River to Linton, Spring Creek from Linton to the northeast and the Heart River. They also surveyed the Cannonball River to the Missouri River and Upper Heart River. The wing conducted surveys Tuesday of the Missouri River from Bismarck to Garrison Dam. It also surveyed Apple Creek from three miles north of I-94 to the Missouri River and the Knife River from Marshall to Hazen

Missouri River Flows Through ND State Capitol of Bismark. Photo Courtesy CAP

Aircraft and crews are assembling at the "Skunk Works" mission base at Fargo's Hector International Airport. A plane from Minnesota Wing equipped with CAP's ARCHER aerial imaging system will survey the Red River from the South Dakota border to the Canadian border for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state of North Dakota.

Down the river in South Dakota, survey flights continue in support of the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management. Thursday, the wing flew survey missions of the rivers in the eastern and western parts of the state. Areas of emphasis include Watertown, Brookings, Aberdeen and Huron in the east. In the western part of the state where flooding has not been as severe, the focus is on capturing images around Moreau, Grand Forks and the Cheyenne River to establish a baseline for potential damage assessment if floods impact those areas.

Two air crews surveyed the James River north of Mitchell and the Big Sioux River, Big Stone Lake, the Yankton River and an area around Groton, S.D., on Wednesday. The wing surveyed flooding on the James, Big Sioux and Vermillion Rivers on Tuesday. "The state (of South Dakota) is greatly impressed by the photos they have seen." said Col. Mike Beason, the mission's incident commander.

Photo Of Floodwaters Near Trent, SD. Photo Courtesy CAP

Earlier this week, 75 members of the Minnesota and North Dakota Wings assisted with sandbagging. They totaled more than 750 hours of flood support and worked on protecting 30 homes in the Fargo/Moorhead area. "Their support was very impressive," said Lt. Col. Erik Ludlow, North Dakota Wing's ground operations director.

Operations were scaled back Thursday as Fargo, Moorhead, Cass and Clay counties reported their sandbag barriers are almost complete. "We will be monitoring the situation throughout the evening and tomorrow morning." said Ludlow.

FMI: www.gocivilairpatrol.com