The Red River fell below flood stage in Grand Forks on Friday night, for the first time since March 31.
The National Weather Service in Grand Forks said the river dipped below 28 feet about 7 p.m. Friday.
"It did bounce around a little, but it was well below after 8 p.m.," Meteorologist Dave Kellenbenz said.
Although the level is falling slowly, the river remains above flood stage north of Grand Forks.
The Weather Service forecasts the Red will fall below flood stage at Oslo, Minn., on Monday; at Pembina, N.D., by Wednesday; and at Drayton, N.D., by May 29.
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Flood stages are determined by a variety of data and local designations, Kellenbenz said. That accounts for the Red falling below flood stage at Pembina before it happens in Drayton, which is upstream.
The Red River crested at 49.87 feet -- the third highest on record -- in Grand Forks on April 14.
The Red River Valley will continue to experience an unsettled weather pattern through the weekend, with shower through Sunday night, before turning drier, Kellenbenz said.
Most weather stations in northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota reported less than one-third of an inch of rain in the 24-hour period that ended at 7 a.m. Saturday.
The exceptions were: Starkweather, N.D., where rainfall totaled 0.45 inch; Cavalier, N.D., at 0.47 inch; and rural Oslo, Minn., at 0.49 inch.
Reach Bonham at (701) 780-1110; (800) 477-6572, ext. 110; or send e-mail to kbonham@gfherald.com .
