FARGO, N.D. (May 21, 2009)—The National Weather Service says the Red River has fallen below flood stage in Fargo, N.D. after a record 61 days out of its banks.

The state Department of Emergency Services estimates that 18 million sandbags were used throughout North Dakota during the spring fight against floodwaters, which translates to nearly 30 for every man, woman and child in the state.

The Army Corps of Engineers has removed almost all of the sandbags in Fargo and should complete the job by the end of the weekend.

The 105,000 sandbags in Valley City should start to come down next week, and city officials plan to turn the broken wood pallets used to transport them into a bonfire at a community celebration.