A Midwest state situated along the border with Canada, North Dakota is characterized by three main geographical regions- the Great Plains, the Drift Prairie, and the Red River Valley. The Red River Valley, situated along the easternmost section of North Dakota, is home to the state’s lowest elevation. But exactly where in this valley does the lowest point in North Dakota occur, and how many feet above sea level does it measure?
Read on to find out!
The Lowest Point in North Dakota
The Red River Valley consists mainly of farmland with sugarbeets, wheat, and maize being the main crops. This fertile valley’s namesake is the Red River, which winds 550 miles from Breckenridge, Minnesota to Lake Winnipeg in Canada.
The lowest elevation of North Dakota occurs along the Red River in the town of Pembina. This town is situated along the northeastern corner of the state just 3 miles south of the Canadian border. There, the lowest point in North Dakota measures 750 feet above sea level.
Across the state, the mean elevation is 1,900 feet, and the highest point in North Dakota is situated at White Butte at 3,506 feet above sea level.
The lowest point in North Dakota sits at 750 feet above sea level along the Red River in Pembina, North Dakota.
©Jpkotta / CC-BY-SA 3.0 – License
The History of the Red River Valley and Pembina
Geographically speaking, the Red River Valley is quite young. It is the youngest major landscape in the continental U.S. Today, this valley represents the bottom of a glacial lake- Lake Agassiz- that developed about 12,000 years ago during the last ice age. About 9,000 years ago, the region warmed and the lake waters drained away, leaving the land exposed. Around this time, the Red River was free to flow through the region, formed at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Trail Rivers.
Nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes moved in and out of the Red River Valley for thousands of years before European colonization of the area, including the Ojibwe, Dakota, Assiniboine, Cree, and Cheyenne. The people of these indigenous tribes still live in these areas today, some continuing to fight against colonization and the environmental destruction brought forth by industrial civilization.
Today, the town of Pembina, where the lowest point in North Dakota occurs, consists of about 500 residents. The colonial governance of the area officially founded Pembina in 1843. Before this, the Hudson Bay Company used the area as a trading post from 1803-1823. But for thousands of years before European encroachment, the region was one of several home bases for indigenous peoples.
Visiting the Lowest Point in North Dakota
If you wish to visit the lowest point in North Dakota your best bet is to visit Fort Daer Landing and Recreation Area, located along the Red River. The river shares a border with Minnesota. On the North Dakota side, the Red River branches into the Pembina River along the northern part of the park. This quiet park, which joins with Pembina State Park, features a restroom, a walkway along the river, and a boating ramp. You can enjoy this park for free without the hassle of crowds.
Animals of the Red River
If you visit the lowest point in North Dakota, you may spot some wildlife in the waters of the Red River and along its banks. One of the Red River’s claims to fame is its enormous channel catfish. In these waters, channel catfish frequently exceed 30 pounds and live more than 20 years. Northern pike also swim these waters and can exceed 45 inches in length.
Pheasants and migrating waterfowl also frequent the area. If you sit quietly in the park in the early morning, you may see white-tailed deer, turkeys, and rabbits along the banks of the Red River. You may also see the common snapping turtle, which prefers freshwater habitats with muddy bottoms.
In the Red River, channel catfish can reach over 30 pounds and live at least 20 years.
©Ryan Somma, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons – License
Recreating at the Lowest Point in North Dakota
Boating, canoeing, wildlife viewing, and fishing are the most common activities folks enjoy at the lowest point in North Dakota. With the boat ramp situated at the Fort Daer Landing and Recreation Area, boating activities are quite accessible. The Red River is generally a calm, slow-moving river perfect for a quiet canoe trip. Swimming is less popular since the river is often too cold for most folks. However, some people enjoy taking a dip during the height of summer.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Tony Webster / CC BY-SA 2.0 – License / Original
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