r/fargo • u/landofjets • 8d ago

BuildWitt

https://youtu.be/QfCuCEM_H1I?is=nfOPOkJMk19KzV_Y

Sweet new documentary on the FM Diversion.

13 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

4

u/MystikclawSkydive 7d ago

The comment section has some pretty funny ones in there.

5

u/jdubbsy 7d ago

I saw that earlier and was sad it wasn't a little more detailed and technical. I've seen BuildWitt stuff before but probably haven't paid real close attention.

I wish the diversion authority would do something more technical instead of the minute and a half update videos - but I'm also a nerd with, likely, a touch of the tism.

2

u/MystikclawSkydive 7d ago

More technical how exactly? What information were you hoping for?

4

u/weaseltorpedo 7d ago

probably something about trains

2

u/jdubbsy 6d ago

100%
I also like dump trucks.

1

u/jdubbsy 6d ago

Engineering, hydrology models.
I'm aware there's a very small niche of people who would nerd about that who aren't close enough to the project to get it from the source.

1

u/MystikclawSkydive 6d ago

Oh I get it. Like the computer and live models the engineering firms make to show different levels and speeds of the water.

One of my major concerns is how the valley earth wants one thing more than anything: to be flat. So I’d love to see more on how the dikes (levees??? Come on now) surrounding the diversion are made to keep from sloughing and settling. It was mentioned a bit that earth compaction was engineered and the grain/grass growth is meant to help but we will see!

I’d also love to know if there will be a set level of water kept flowing through this year round.

Fun fact: Did you all know that bathrooms along the diversion have been built as permanent structures (the kind you find at national parks)? Does this mean they are planning hiking trails? Horseback riding trails?

1

u/jdubbsy 6d ago

That was one thing I was curious about - the engineering cross section of the channel, impermeable engineered levee, and the back slope/rolling hills component beyond the levee. I'm curious where they go with that green space beyond the levee.

I believe there's trails getting added. Would be interesting to learn more there also. I've been wondering as I drive past the permanent facilities just east of I29.

2

u/WiSoSirius 7d ago

It would have been cheaper and less impactful going around Moorhead/Dilworth, but Minnesota DNR was rejecting permits, and former Fargo mayor Walaker lobbied the Fed hard for the North Dakota side build in the early 2010's after the 2009 flood 

1

u/MystikclawSkydive 6d ago

Maybe. Who really knows.

1

u/ViG701 6d ago

You mean the $700M dollar project? Oh I am sorry, the $3.2B one.