Red River Basin: The Red River Basin is approximately 45,000 square miles. The watershed of the Red River of the North encompasses parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, Manitoba, and South Dakota. Historic Floods and Droughts: The Red River Basin has experienced both floods and droughts throughout the years. Low flows along the Red River were experienced in 1924. Occurring 100 years before the Flood of 1997, was the Flood of 1897. Extremes along the Red River are part of its history. Flood of 1997: The Flood of 1997 along with prior years' spring flooding events provided the inspiration for the EERC to develop the Waffle® concept. The approximate flood damage costs in 1997 to the Red River Basin were $4 billion. In the Grand Forks area, the flood damage was approximately $2 billion. Field Trial – 2004: The Waffle® team is conducting a field trial expected to serve as a water storage demonstration. The field trial site is located near Ada, Minnesota. Field Trial – 2005: The Waffle® team conducted field trial demonstrations near Shelly, MN; Lake Bronson, MN; and Gilby, ND.