All posts by nfpa

Small stream flood advisory posted for Northern Flathead County; Stillwater River flooding near Kalispell

Flood Information, News, ,

Some folks are getting their feet wet down-valley. The National Weather Service has posted an urban and small stream flood advisory for Northern Flathead County and the Stillwater River is beginning to come over its banks near Kalispell. River levels are still modest on the North Fork.

For the full text of official flood advisories and warnings, click the weather graphic in the sidebar and follow the links in the “Active Advisory” section. A link to the same information can also be found on the Flood Information page.

Larry Wilson: Sondreson Hall and the Flying Farmers

Commentary, News, , ,

Larry Wilson reflects on the passing of Ruth Sondreson and the many contributions the Sondresons made to the North Fork . . .

Mostly, I enjoy writing this column. The North Fork is special to me, and to the folks I write about, and we have special concerns about how to best preserve the area and the things that make it special. Among those things are the fish and wildlife, the forest, the river, and, of course, the rural lifestyle. That means we often disagree on how to protect the North Fork.

Occasionally, though, I have to write about sad or even tragic events, since living in a special place doesn’t shield us from the cycle of life. This week is one of those times.

We received word that Ruth Sondreson died on April 14. Ruth was the last person I know who was instrumental in the building of the North Fork Community Hall, which was later named Sondreson Hall.

Continue reading . . .

Heavy snowpack brings early start for bear troubles

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

Besides the flood threat, heavy snowpack in the mountains means that bears emerging from hibernation are foraging further down-valley for food. Bear managers have had a busy time of it dealing with nuisance bears. The Daily Inter Lake surveys the situation . . .

With too much snow at higher elevations and an abundance of food attractions in the valleys, grizzly bears and black bears have been stirring up trouble lately.

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Officials say flooding threat looms across state; Governor adds a positive spin

Flood Information, News, ,

Here’s the Associated Press write-up on the looming flood threat for Montana. The story includes statements from Gov. Brian Schweitzer putting a somewhat positive spin on the matter . . .

More flood threats loom for Montana as an already-deep mountain snowpack increases and a cool spring brings more moisture.

River basins in the mountains are nearly double their average snowpack levels, and eastern Montana has already dealt with some rivers and flooding in places. The National Weather Service said flood threats could persist into early July due to the cool weather.

“It is going to be a big flood year,” said Gina Loss, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service. “There is not any part of the state void of any chance of flooding.”

Continue reading . . .

Western Montana braces for flood waters; more rain is a concern

Flood Information, News,

Everyone is waiting for the real start of the spring runoff. Of particular concern is the forecast arrival of rain toward the end of the week. The Missoulian has the story . . .

Much of western Montana continued Monday to play a waiting game with its gravest flooding dangers this spring, thanks to cooler-than-normal temperatures.

A prolonged warming trend will release massive moisture still contained in mountain snowpacks. When it comes, officials say it will be the start of a “pretty prolonged flood season.”

But it’s more precipitation, not hot weather, the National Weather Service has its immediate eye on.

Continue reading . . .

Flooding problems beginning in Flathead County

Flood Information, News, ,

Things aren’t really rolling yet, but issues with rising waters are beginning to appear within Flathead County and the surrounding region. The Daily Inter Lake surveys the situation . . .

High water has started to cause some problems at the outset of a flood season that is expected to last for weeks.

The Montana Department of Transportation put machinery to work Monday removing downed trees from the Stillwater River to prevent damage to a bridge crossing on Twin Bridges Road west of Whitefish.

“It was a debris removal just to prevent them from obstructing the bridge,” department spokeswoman Lori Ryan said Monday afternoon.

The Stillwater River that flows through Kalispell nearly reached its 7-foot action stage Monday, just shy of its 7.5-foot flood stage.

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Environmental group seeks delay in proposed endangered species settlement

Environmental Issues, News, , , ,

Last week, WildEarth Guardians cut a deal with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to clear the long-neglected backlog of candidates for the Endangered Species List. Today, the Center for Biological Diversity entered the fray . . .

An environmental group asked a federal judge on Monday to delay action on a proposed legal settlement that would require the government to consider new protections for hundreds of imperiled animals and plants.

The Center for Biological Diversity filed court documents in Washington, D.C., seeking to put the settlement agreement on hold. The Tucson, Ariz., group said the deal was hatched in secret and suffers from serious flaws.

Announced last week, the agreement between the Obama administration and Denver-based WildEarth Guardians received strong praise from many conservation groups.

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(UPDATE: The Center for Biological Diversity got a federal judge to put the deal on hold.)

National Weather Service says cold front will delay possible flooding

Flood Information, News, ,

Here’s a good survey of river conditions and general flood forecasting from the Missoulian . . .

Now that the rivers have your attention, spend the next week getting ready for the real western Montana flood season.

While the Yaak and Fisher rivers around Eureka and Libby are nearing flood stage, the Clark Fork, Flathead and Bitterroot drainages may hold back another week before they really let go, according to National Weather Service warning coordinator Marty Whitmore.

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Late snow melt presents forest challenges; Hay Creek Road closed

News, ,

Saturated soils and a delayed spring runoff are causing a lot of problems in the Flathead National Forest. In the North Fork, for instance, Hay Creek Road is closed due to a slump. Today’s Daily Inter Lake has the story . . .

Warming temperatures and snow melt are contributing to increased water levels in rivers and lakes, and saturated soils across the Flathead National Forest, especially on roads and trails.

Forest officials urge all forest users to use caution when encountering deep snow, downed trees, blocked roads and trails, wet and muddy conditions, or high and fast-moving water.

“We encourage all forest users to contact a local Forest Service office to obtain current information about road and trail conditions, access, and ideas for alternate travel routes,” said Denise Germann, the forest’s public affairs officer. “Recreationists on or near a river, stream or lake should use extreme caution as water levels may fluctuate quickly.”

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Longtime park ranger retires

News, ,
Jack Potter at Cosley Lake

Today’s Daily Inter Lake joins the chorus of folks saying nice things about Jack Potter on the occasion of his retirement . . .

Some reporters over the years have affectionately called him “Jack Pot,” because Jack Potter is a treasure trove of information for anything related to Glacier National Park.

Any type of animal, any plant, any place, any trail, any aspect of the park, Potter pretty much knows it all after a 41-year career in the park that came to an end with his recent retirement. But it really won’t come to an end, because Potter and his wife, Rachel, intend to carry on with volunteer work in the park for years to come.

“I just wanted to do something different,” said Potter, who was the park’s chief of science and resource management. “I just wanted to go out at a time when I was still enthusiastic about the job and still making a contribution.”

Continue reading . . .