 The city was struck by a severe flood in 1997 , causing extensive damage . With Fargo upstream from the bulk of the waters and Winnipeg with its flood control structures , Grand Forks became the hardest hit city in the Red River Valley . During the height of the flooding , a major fire also destroyed eleven buildings in the downtown area . Many neighborhoods had to be demolished to make way for a new levee system , which was ultimately completed ten years later . The land bordering the Red River was turned into a massive park known as the Greater Grand Forks Greenway . Since the flood , Grand Forks has seen both public and private developments throughout town . Two new , large sports venues opened in 2001 , including the Alerus Center and the Ralph Engelstad Arena . In 2007 , the Winnipeg @-@ based Canad Inns hotel chain opened a 13 @-@ story hotel and waterpark adjacent to the Alerus Center . By 2007 Grand Forks had a larger population than it did before the 1997 flood , and area employment and taxable sales had also surpassed pre @-@ flood levels . 
