"North Dakota Set for Red River Crest; Rural Areas Awash"

"The Red River was spreading out in a record swath across broad stretches of rural North Dakota and Minnesota on Tuesday and swelling toward a near-record crest in Grand Forks expected within three days.

The Red River and its tributaries have swamped expanses of land in the two states outside major cities, turning some spots into temporary islands that can be reached only by boat as the water flows north into Manitoba, Canada.

The river crested Saturday at Fargo, North Dakota, with minor damage. Permanent levees and flood walls are expected to protect Grand Forks from a projected 52-foot crest that would be the second highest on record, officials said Tuesday."

Reuters had the story April 13, 2011.