Moving a River Takes Time and a Bunch of Politics

This Governing magazine article on the Red River flood control measures that have been contemplated for decades look likely to come to pass. See North Dakota's Massive Effort to Avoid Floods.  

Just think, a person could have spent the better part of their emergency management career promoting, coordinating, encouraging this flood mitigation project. Likely, it is the most recent round of Midwest flooding that will propel the project over the goal line.

It is disasters that cut through red tape and political objections. That is why Grand Forks' flooding in 1997 paved the way for their flood mitigation projects to be completed. Having the downtown area catch on fire during a flood event also made for memorable pictures.

I also recall the story of the mayor of Grand Forks being encouraged to run for mayor (before the flood and fire). Someone told her the job is a cake walk, nothing ever happens in Grand Forks.