FARGO (AP) - Gov. John Hoeven issued a disaster declaration Monday for communities in the Red River Valley, where rivers are rising after a weekend of heavy rain.

The governor's action, following an emergency declaration by Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker, is aimed at paving the way for state and federal aid.

Hoeven said the Richland County Commission joined Walaker in submitting an emergency declarations to the state. The southeastern community of Milnor, in Sargent County, also issued a disaster declaration and began building a dike to prevent flooding from Storm Lake, the governor said.

"These conditions are creating hardships for homeowners, our farmers and communities," Hoeven said. "We're working with local officials and the Army Corps of Engineers to help."

In Fargo, the corps plans to build a downtown levee.

City officials said they knew of no homes in danger from the Red River. It is expected to crest at around 33 feet or 34 feet by early Friday, the National Weather Service said. Flood stage in Fargo is 18 feet.

More rain is forecast for Wednesday through Friday, possibly adding to the flood threat, officials said.

"This has been a very unusual year. As far as I'm concerned, it's a record. This is the seventh time that the Red River has gone for another crest," Walaker said.

"We've had some scares and so forth all spring, but we've dodged a bullet quite well. It appears this next one is going to be a little more serious," he said.

The river level Monday was at about 22 feet, Walaker said. The Red is expected to rise about 4 feet each day, City Engineer Mark Bittner said.

Walaker estimated the flood-fighting cost at more than $100,000.

Trollwood, a park and performing arts center near the river, has requested 9,000 sandbags, City Administrator Pat Zavoral said.

Park District officials are preparing to move the Roger Maris golf tournament if river crest predictions come true and the city's Edgewood Golf Course floods.

Crews have been building a dike on the north side of the city's Jack Williams Stadium.

"If the numbers (for the Red River crest) stay at 32, 33 (feet), the water would cover most of our big parks," Park District Director Roger Gress said. If the grass dies, he said, "it would take a month and a half to bring it back. That's worst-case scenario."

To the south, more than 40 roads and bridges in Richland County were closed after heavy weekend rain, county officials said

The National Weather Service said Monday that the Red had crested in Wahpeton, but it was expected to remain above major flood stage there until Wednesday.

"We've seen the water drop quite a bit in the western part of our county," said Tim Schulte, a Richland County highway engineer.

"We have about 40, 45 bridges and road closures, and a lot of the water did come up and go back down real quick," Schulte said. "So we're actually making those repairs. We're hoping that we just have to spot a few loads of gravel."