FM River - Water Quality Monitoring Locations
As shown on the map and list, FM River provides information on water quality many locations in the Fargo-Moorhead area. The quality of Red River water is monitored at six locations - R1-R6. The quality of water in tributaries to the Red River is monitored at two locations - T1 and T2. Information on the quality of water along the human water use cycle (municipal water supply and sewage treatment) is provided from four locations in Fargo (F1-F4) and four locations in Moorhead (M1-M4). FM River does not provide information on the character of the storm water discharged into the Red River in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Red River Water Monitoring Locations
R1 - The bridge over the Red River on Cass County 16/Clay County 8 (River Mile 474.1)
R1 is in a rural residential setting upstream (south) of the FM metro area. Red River water is monitored for 16 parameters twice a month April through October and as conditions allow during the winter. Monitoring is done by FM River citizen and student volunteers under the direction of River Keepers. The analysis of the river water samples is done by the Fargo Water Treatment Plant. The analytical data are also available on the STORET, RRBDIN, and RRWMC Web sites.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
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R2 - The bridge over the Red River on 1st Avenue North in downtown Fargo/Moorhead (River Mile 451).
R2 is in the heart of the FM metro area. Red River water is monitored for 16 parameters twice per a April through October and as conditions allow during the winter. Monitoring is done by FM River citizen and student volunteers under the direction of River Keepers. The analysis of the river water samples is done by the Fargo Water Treatment Plant. The analytical data are also available on the STORET, RRBDIN, and RRWMC Web sites. TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Load calculations) are being prepared for this portion of the Red River to address turbidity, fecal coliform marker bacteria, and pathogens. Click here to learn more about the TMDL activities for this part of the river.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
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R3 - The bridge at 12th Avenue North in Fargo (River Mile 449.3) just upstream (south) of the Moorhead Wastewater Treatment Plant discharge point.
R3, in the heart of the FM metro area, is one of three TMDL (total maximum daily load) sites (R4 and R5 are also TMDL sites) monitored by the cities of Fargo and Moorhead. This water quality monitoring is the basis for the development of TMDLs to address ammonia, pathogens, and enriched organics/dissolved oxygen (high organic content can lead to lower dissolved oxygen levels). Monitoring for TMDL development is done monthly at high flow (if river flow is greater than 100 cubic feet per second) or twice a month at low flow (if river flow is less than 100 cubic feet per second). Seven parameters are monitored at this site. Click here to learn more about the TMDL activities for this part of the river.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
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R4 - On the Red River below 35th Avenue North in Fargo (River Mile 444.7) between the Moorhead and Fargo Wastewater Treatment Plant discharge points.
R4, in the northern portion of the FM metro area, is one of three TMDL (total maximum daily load) sites (R3 and R5 are also TMDL sites) monitored by the cities of Fargo and Moorhead. This water quality monitoring is the basis for the development of TMDLs to address ammonia, fecal coliform marker bacteria, pathogens, and enriched organics/dissolved oxygen (high organic content can lead to lower dissolved oxygen levels). Monitoring for TMDL development is done monthly at high flow (if river flow is greater than 100 cubic feet per second) or twice a month at low flow (if river flow is less than 100 cubic feet per second). Seven parameters are monitored at this site. Click here to learn more about the TMDL activities for this part of the river.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
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R5 - The bridge over the Red River on Cass County 20 (River Mile 439.4) downstream (north) of the Fargo Moorhead Wastewater Treatment Plant discharge points.
R5, downstream (north) of the FM metro area, is one of three TMDL (total maximum daily load) sites (R3 and R4 are also TMDL sites) monitored by the cities of Fargo and Moorhead. This water quality monitoring is the basis for the development of TMDLs to address ammonia, fecal coliform marker bacteria, pathogens, and organic enrichment/dissolved oxygen (high organic content can lead to lower dissolved oxygen levels). Monitoring for TMDL development is done monthly at high flow (if river flow is greater than 100 cubic feet per second) or twice a month at low flow (if river flow is less than 100 cubic feet per second). Seven parameters are monitored at this site. Click here to learn more about the TMDL (total maximum daily load) activities for this part of the river.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
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R6 - The bridge over the Red River on Cass County 22/Clay County 26 (River Mile 433.3).
R6 is in a rural setting downstream (north) of the FM metro area. Red River water at R6 is monitored for 16 parameters twice per month April through October and as conditions allow during the winter. This water quality monitoring is done by FM River citizen and student volunteers under the direction of River Keepers. The analysis of the river water samples is done by the Fargo Water Treatment Plant. The analytical data are also available on the STORET, RRBDIN, and RRWMC Web sites. TMDLs (total maximum daily load calculations) are being developed for ammonia, fecal coliform markers, pathogens, and organic enrichment/low dissolved oxygen (high organic content can lead to lower dissolved oxygen levels) for this part of the river. Click here to learn more about TMDL activities.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
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Tributary Monitoring Locations
T1 - The bridge over the Wild Rice River on Cass County 14.
T1 is in a rural setting near the mouth of the Wild Rice River. The Wild Rice drains the mostly agricultural land of Richland and Sargent counties, North Dakota, to the south and west of the FM area. Fin southeastern North Dakota. Water at T1 is monitored for 16 parameters twice per month April through October and as conditions allow during the winter. This water quality monitoring is done by FM River citizen and student volunteers under the direction of River Keepers. The analysis of the river water samples is done by the Fargo Water Treatment Plant. The analytical data are also available on the STORET, RRBDIN, and RRWMC Web sites. The results of monitoring at T1 are important in understanding the effect of the water from the Wild Rice River on the quality of the Red River. The area from the mouth of the Wild Rice to Fargo Dam A (just south of R2) is undergoing TMDL assessment for turbidity, fecal coliform, and pathogens.
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T2 - The bridge over Rose Creek on South University (U.S. 81) in south Fargo.
T2 is in an suburban residential setting that includes Rose Creek Golf Course just upstream from the mouth of Rose Creek. Rose Creek drains a relatively small area in and adjacent to southwestern Fargo. Water at T2 is monitored for 16 parameters twice per month April through October and as conditions allow during the winter. This water quality monitoring is done by FM River citizen and student volunteers under the direction of River Keepers. The analysis of the river water samples is done by the Fargo Water Treatment Plant. The analytical data are also available on the STORET, RRBDIN, and RRWMC Web sites. The results of monitoring at T2 are important in understanding the effect of the water from Rose Creek on the quality of the Red River. Rose Creek drains into the Red at the south end of the area from the mouth of the Wild Rice to Fargo Dam A (just south of R2) that is undergoing TMDL assessment for turbidity, fecal coliform, and pathogens.
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Human Water Use Cycle Monitoring Locations (Raw and Finished Municipal Water; Untreated and Treated Wastewater)
F1 - Raw water (Red River water) entering the Fargo Water Treatment Plant (FWTP) via the FWTP Red River water intake (River Mile 452.6).F1 is the point where water from the Red River is monitored as it enters the FWTP. This water is called "raw water" because it has not yet been treated to the quality required for usage in the homes, businesses, and industries in the Fargo area. Each day, the FWTP takes in 30 million gallons of raw river water. The raw Red River water is sampled and analyzed many times per day to ensure proper treatment. The values for the eight parameters posted for F1 on the FM River Web site are monthly averages of the many raw water analyses done at the FWTP.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
For more information on the FWTP, click here.
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F2 - Finished water leaving the Fargo Water Treatment Plant (FWTP) for distribution via the municipal water system to homes, businesses, and industries in the Fargo area.
F2 is the point where the "finished" water is sampled as it leaves the FWTP. Finished water is water from the Red River that has been treated to meet the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Primary and Secondary Drinking Water Standards. Finished water is sampled several times a day to ensure quality. The values for the ten parameters posted for F2 on the FM River Web site are monthly averages of the many finished water analyses done at the FWTP.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
For more information on the FWTP, click here.
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F3 - Untreated wastewater (raw sewage or influent) as it arrives at the Fargo Wastewater Treatment Plant (FWWTP).
Much of the finished water sent to the Fargo area from the Fargo Wastewater Treatment Plant will eventually arrive at the FWWTP as sewage that will require treatment before it can be safely discharged back into the Red River. F3 is the point where the untreated wastewater (raw sewage or influent) is sampled as it enters the FWWTP. Each day about 15 million gallons of influent arrives at the plant. The influent is sampled several times per day to ensure appropriate treatment. The values for the two parameters posted for F3 on the FM River Web site are monthly averages of the many influent analyses done at the FWWTP.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
For more information on the FWWTP, click here.
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F4 - Treated wastewater (treated sewage or effluent) from the Fargo Wastewater Treatment Plant (FWWTP) prior to discharge to the Red River just upstream of the bridge on Cass County Road 20 (River Mile 440.1).
Each day about 15 million gallons of treated wastewater (treated sewage or effluent) from the FWWTP is discharged into the Red River downstream of the FM metro area. F4 is the point where the treated wastewater is sampled to ensure appropriate quality for discharge. The values for the six parameters posted for F4 on the FM River Web site are monthly averages of the many effluent analyses done each day at the FWWTP.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
For more information on the FWWTP, click here.
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M1 - Raw water (Red River water) entering the Moorhead Water Treatment Plant (MWTP) via the MWTP Red River water intake (River Mile 452.8).
M1 is the point where water from the Red River is sampled for analysis as it enters the MWTP. This water is called "raw water" because it has not yet been treated to the quality required for usage in the homes, businesses, and industries in the Moorhead area. Each day, the MWTP takes about 4 million gallons of raw water from the Red River. The raw water coming into the plant is sampled and analyzed many times per day to ensure proper treatment. The values for the eight parameters posted on the FM River Web site are a monthly average of the many raw water analyses done at the MWTP.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
For more information on the MWTP, click here.
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M2 - Finished water leaving the Moorhead Water Treatment Plant (MWTP) for distribution via the municipal water system to homes, businesses, and industries in the Moorhead area and Dilworth.
M2 is the point where the water is sampled as it leaves the MWTP. This "finished" water, originally raw water from the Red River, has been treated to meet the specifications of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Primary and Secondary Drinking Water Standards. The finished water is sampled several times a day to ensure quality. The values of the 10 parameters posted on the FM River Web site are monthly averages of the many finished water analyses done at the MWTP.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
For more information on the MWTP, click here.
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M3 - Untreated wastewater (raw sewage or influent) as it arrives at the Moorhead Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWWTP).
Much of the finished water sent to the Moorhead area from the Moorhead Wastewater Treatment Plant will eventually arrive at the Moorhead Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWWTP) as sewage that will require treatment before it can be safely discharged back into the Red River. M3 is the point where the untreated wastewater (raw sewage or influent) is sampled as it enters the MWWTP. Each day, about 4 million gallons of influent arrives at the plant. The influent is sampled several times per day to ensure appropriate treatment. The values for the four parameters posted on the FM River Web site are monthly averages of the many influent analyses done at the MWWTP.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
For more information on the MWWTP, click here.
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M4 - Treated wastewater (treated sewage or effluent) from the Moorhead Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWWTP) prior to discharge to the Red River just downstream of 12th Avenue North in Fargo (River Mile 449.2).
Each day about 4 million gallons of treated wastewater (treated sewage or effluent) from the MWWTP is discharged into the Red River in the heart of the FM metro area. M4 is the point where the treated wastewater is monitored to ensure appropriate quality for discharge. The values for the seven parameters posted for M4 on the FM River Web site are monthly averages of the many effluent analyses done each day at the MWWTP.
To learn what parameters are monitored at this site and what data are available for this site, to graph data, or to download data, click here.
For more information on the MWWTP, click here.
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