Red River at a water level of 54.50 feet

The top of a US Geological Survey staff gauge (a graduated rod against which water levels can be read) is barely visible above the water flooding Sorlie Bridge on April 21, 1997. The top of the gauge represents a water level or river stage of 54.50 feet, two feet above the 1997 East Grand Forks city levee. During the 1997 flood, the Red River crested at 54.35 feet; the National Weather Service flood stage at Grand Forks is 28.00 feet. Photo by the United States Geological Survey.