Boaters And Recreationists Cautioned As River Levels Rise

Print

Boaters and recreationists should use caution along northwest Montana waterways this coming weekend and into next week.

With the above-normal snowpack and water content in the mountains and the predicted warm air temperatures, flows of the Flathead River, its North and Middle Forks, and several other rivers are expected to rise sharply. Officials caution that the Flathead River near Columbia Falls could reach 2-feet above flood stage by late Sunday or Monday. This may cause flooding in the following Flathead River Fishing Access Sites: Teakettle, Kokanee Bend, Old Steel Bridge, and Sportsman’s Bridge. Recreationists should use common sense and avoid these areas.

Boaters are advised to not venture onto the Flathead River until flood-stage flows recede. The water is very cold from melting snowpack and the flows will be high and powerful. Snags and debris will also come down the river, creating dangerous conditions. Flathead Lake boaters are advised to watch for floating debris in the north end.

Smaller streams are predicted to reach near flood stage levels. These include the Whitefish, Stillwater, Swan, and Thompson rivers and Prospect Creek. The Fisher and the Yaak rivers are expected to reach or exceed flood stage.

Recreationists would be wise to focus on area lakes until after the peak of river runoff subsides.