FARGO - The Red River at Fargo-Moorhead appears to have crested as river readings continue to record lower marks.
The latest reading from 7:15 this morning showed the Red at 38.57 feet and observational data from overnight shows the Red slowly retreating and down from a high water mark of 38.75 feet at 6:15 p.m. Saturday.
The National Weather Service's forecast shows the Red gradually declining during the next seven days. On Saturday evening, the weather service said the river was at a "near crest."
Overnight river levels fluctuated slightly but most recordings, taken every 15 minutes, show the Red leveling off or declining by a hundredth of an inch. A few readings showed a slight bump in the level.
This spring's flood marks an unprecedented third consecutive year the Red topped major flood stage, which is 30 feet in Fargo, and ranks as the fourth highest flood in recorded history.
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Fargo's top crest came in 2009, with a mark of 40.84 feet, followed by 39.72 feet in 1997 and 39.1 feet in 1897.
This past winter also brought the third snowiest winter on record, and the spring flood surpassed last year's flood, which reached 36.99 feet.
The weather service continues to forecast rain for today but showers aren't expected to result in higher river readings.
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
