Geology 101

Although this picture was taken in Minnesota, we noticed a lot of the same phenomenon in North Dakota as well: a pond or lake is surrounded by large dead trees, (most appear to be cottonwoods), which clearly have died due to drowning in deep water. The tree trunks are of a large size, which indicate that the trees lived for many years before they perished. One man says his father (born in 1930) cut hay every year when he was younger in meadows that are now under water.

We have heard two explanations from various locals, to explain the rising ground water levels.

One theory is that the weight of the water and large size of the reservoirs behind the dams on the Missouri River force a whole lot of water into the crevices between the rock and soil particles, which spreads out over a large area. The trouble with that theory is that we see the same thing in Minnesota, both in the Red River (Hudson Bay)drainage and now in the Mississippi (Gulf of Mexico) drainage, which is a pretty big stretch to believe.

The other theory is that the climate has changed and there is now a lot more precipitation in the region. I know that Fargo has had some big floods in recent years, but no one seemed to be able to quote reliable statistics.

-Sue