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N.D. (AP) – Fargo officials plan to scale back flood protection efforts after a lower Red River crest prediction by the National Weather Service.

The weather service on Wednesday updated its forecast to show the range of the river peak to be between 38 and 40 feet, down a couple of feet from earlier predictions. Forecasters say the revision is due mostly to an ideal melt cycle and expectations for below-normal precipitation.

Fargo officials say there’s still work to be done to protect properties, but the lower crest prediction should lower the number of sandbags needed from 1.8 million to about 400,000.

The district commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. Michael Price will be reviewing projects and meeting with local officials about efforts to protect residents from what’s expected to be the fourth major Red River flood in five years.

North Dakota National Guard officials say about 80 soldiers are in Fargo helping with flood fighting efforts.