Flood helps restore health of Red River.

Byline: Brad Dokken

Apr. 16--The Flood of 1997 was devastating, but it also helped draw attention to the Red River in ways that might not have occurred without the disaster, officials say. Recreation. Flood corridors that give the river more room during times of high water. Funding, both state and federal. Increased awareness of the river's importance to valley residents. All of these benefits resulted, at least in part, from the Flood of 1997. "I think people are beginning to understand the value of the river," said Lynn Schlueter, special projects biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Devils Lake. "It's a nice place to go. It's not that far away. And those people living along the river corridor -- which is a lot of North Dakota's population -- are learning they have access to some tremendous recreational fishing."

Perhaps the biggest, most noticeable …