Govs call for Red River flood control

FARGO, N.D., April 3 (UPI) -- The governors of Minnesota and North Dakota Friday called for long-term flood control for the Red River as forecasters predicted a new record crest this month.

John Hoeven of North Dakota and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota held a joint news conference in Fargo, N.D., to call for regional cooperation and federal aid, Minnesota Public Radio reported.

"We're not going to get this done in this region of the Red River Valley if people don't come together," Hoeven said. "Just like they've come together in this flood fight. Come together and figure out how to do this. There's mutual benefit there if we can come together and figure out how to get this job done."

Fargo and Moorehead, Minn. -- which sit on opposite sides of the state line -- escaped major damage when the Red River crested at almost 41 feet last Saturday, breaking a record set in 1897. The National Weather Service said Friday there is a good chance the river will crest again at a similar level between April 15 and April 22, The Fargo Forum reported.