4. Comprehensive Plan - Laserfiche WebLink

natural low lying areas creates a natural storage area for high waters and the lack of structures permits unobstructed flow. The relatively infrequent flooding in the valley can tend to cause citizens to believe major flooding in the Red River Valley is a random occurrence which statistically should not have happened or expected to occur again, but with greater examination reveals the Red River Valley has many characteristics ideal for flooding (Schwert 2003). Unfortunately, the county will likely be impacted by flooding in the future, making it only a question of when, not if, flooding will occur. Lakes, Reservoirs, and Wetlands Cass County has 32 lakes found mostly in the west and southwest averaging 42 acres in size and 10 artificially created lakes averaging 36 acres in size. These lakes and reservoirs provide flood protection, irrigation, and recreation. The remaining sources of surface water found in the county are wetlands; which are valuable for surface and subsurface water storage, nutrient cycling, retention of sedimentation, and plant and animal habitats. The fertile soils found in wetland areas make them productive areas for farming and resulted in drainage and removal of many acres of wetlands; many of these wetlands are now protected by federal and state laws. According to the National Wetlands Inventory, Cass County has 21,036 acres of wetlands (excluding lakes and rivers); of this area 7,693 acres are permanently or semi-permanently flooded (Figure 1.6). Aquifers The county has several larger aquifers being utilized to varying degrees which possess limited additional development possibility. These aquifers include the West Fargo Aquifer System (WF AS), the Page Aquifer, and the Sheyenne Delta Aquifer (Figure 1.6). 13