FM Area Diversion August Construction Update

September 7, 2026

FM Area Diversion August Construction Update

FARGO, N.D. (August 28, 2026) - The FM Area Diversion project marked major construction milestones this month. All 19 crossings over the 30-mile stormwater diversion channel reached completion, and County Road 81 reopened to traffic where it passes up and over the 22-mile southern embankment. Additionally, the Sheyenne River now flows through its associated aqueduct and over the channel.

Beyond removing the plugs to allow the river to flow through the Sheyenne River Aqueduct, ASN Constructors also welded sections of the structure's vertical lift gate and worked on its maintenance bridges. Crews also installed air bladders that will raise and lower steel panels forming an adjustable crest weir.

Besides rivers, drains will route into the channel. At Drain 14, just west of the Fargo-Moorhead metro area, ASN Constructors excavated connections for two drain inlets. Flows from the nearly 80-square-mile watershed associated with Drain 14 will now be split into two separate inlets and permanently flow into the channel.

Further, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor worked to close a portion of Drain 27 where the southern embankment crosses it. Inflows have been rerouted to the Wild Rice River. Next, they will grade and gravel the Drain 27 weir access road and terminate 57th Street.

Mitigation work progressed, as well, this month. Among the many projects is the Cass Rural Water ring levee - an embankment that will encircle wells and a water treatment facility to protect it from rising floodwaters when the FM Area Diversion operates. More than 300,000 cubic yards of material will be excavated, and more than one mile of ring levee will be constructed to protect the Cass Rural Water Facility.

Once the project achieves completion, the public will have access to 60 new miles of trails. Construction on the two major trailheads as well as seven access points is underway to prepare for the trails' opening.

Watch these updates and more in the new drone construction update at https://youtu.be/MDq9n3OCkes.

About the Metro Flood Diversion Authority

The MFDA is a permanent North Dakota political subdivision that is cooperatively implementing the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion comprehensive project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The MFDA works in partnership with the Red River Valley Alliance in a public-private partnership as well as the City of Fargo, City of Moorhead, Cass County, Clay County and the Cass County Joint Water Resource District.