CHIMNEY BEND FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT

In addition to the downtown dike and dam construction, 1959 also saw a flood control project on Fargo’s north side. To hurry flood waters out of the city, engineers cut channels across the necks of three oxbow bends. The channels over two are stabilized by concrete weirs which allow high water to rush through the artificial channels but keep the river in its natural bed during normal flows. The third, named “Chimney Bend” by 19th century steamboat pilots, was cut off completely requiring the transfer of about 10 acres of Minnesota to North Dakota.