Corps of Engineers set to reroute the Red River through diversion control structure next week

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR)– A major milestone for the F-M Diversion project: the Red River of the North will be rerouted through the Red River Control Structure on August 7.

A special program will be held that morning at the construction site near County Road 81 south of Fargo.

The concrete control structure includes three 50 foot wide Tainter gates which will be used to regulate flows into the FM metro.

The Corps of Engineers awarded a $115 million contract to Ames Construction, Inc., of Burnsville, Minnesota, March 16, 2022, to build this structure. It is one of three major structures and 22 miles of embankment associated with the Southern Embankment part of the Fargo/Moorhead flood risk management project.

The gated structures will not be used to control flooding until the entire diversion is complete and approved for operation.

The diversion, when operational by 2027, will protect 70 square miles of infrastructure in Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo, Horace and Harwood.