Horace, N.D. – The effort to better control flooding in the Fargo-Moorhead area is taking a big step forward.
For the first time since construction began years ago, the Red River Control Structure in Horace can now be used as an option to redirect the river flow.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, contractor Ames Construction flipped the switch at the structure for the first time on August 7th.
The structure, which is part of the overall FM area flood diversion project, includes three gates that will eventually be used to mitigate flooding once construction is completed.
“It’s a big deal,” North Dakota Senator John Hoeven told The Flag on Thursday. “We’re not finished but this really is kind of the heart of the project.”
Hoeven says he’s been working on better protecting the region since the 2009 Red River flood.
“This is the control structure that will control where all of the water goes so it’s a huge milestone.”
Listen: Senator John Hoeven on The Flag
In 2002, the Corps of Engineers awarded a $115 million contract to Ames Construction, Inc., of Burnsville, Minnesota to build this structure.
“It’s just a tribute to the people of this region who came together and figured out how to do the first of its kind public-private partnership by the Core of Engineers,” said Hoeven.
“It’s going to come in at a lot lower cost and a lot sooner.”
The Red River Control Structure is one of three major builds and part of 22 miles of embankment associated with the Southern Embankment part of the Fargo/Moorhead flood risk management project.
