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Flooding Roundup: High Water in the Rockies

By Kate Schwab, 6-02-11

A recent snapshot of high water in Etna, Wyoming. Photo by Flickr user knottyboy.

Heavy rain and snowfall, combined with rapidly melting snowpack, are sending rivers and streams over their banks in western states.

Weber County, Utah, is being hit especially hard this week with flood warnings on two area rivers. According to the National Weather Service, a flood warning remains in effect till noon Friday for Weber County on the south forth of the Ogden River near Huntsville, where melting snow is causing the water to rise. The river is presently about 0.2 feet below its flood stage of 4.6 feet. Threatening campgrounds, homes and farms, the river was expected to flood Thursday and continue for the next few days.

The nearby Weber River and its Lost Creek tributary are also flooding for the same reason.  High or actual flood-stage waters have been reported all along the two waterways. The bridge on Lost Creek road at the confluence of the two streams is expected to flood. Flooding between Echo Reservoir and Weber Canyon is expected to hit low fields, roads, and the towns of Morgan and Uintah. Perhaps most significantly, the snowmelt buildup is threatening a levee system above Plain City, and the levee is believed to be in real danger of failing.

Rising waters are predicted through the weekend. The water is not expected to fully recede until mid-June.

Also in Utah, the Sevier River is about 0.36 feet above flood stage and is affecting local buildings and rural roads. A flood warning for southwestern Sanpete, southeastern Juab, Western Sevier and Central Piute counties is in effect and may be extended.

Snowmelt is also swelling the Green River near Jensen in Uintah County, where the water was 0.1 feet above flood-stage Thursday. A slow buildup of excess waters expected through the weekend, with more flooding by Sunday. The river is at 10.9 feet, but the situation is comparable to the area’s 1983 flood, when the water hit 11.4 feet.

Most of Wyoming is under either a flood watch or warning right now. Runoff from the Sierra Madre Range has been filling the Little Snake River and local creeks. Baggs, Dixon and Savery are all expected to flood. The flooded North Platte River at Saratoga is affecting Carbon County and still rising. At Etna, the Salt River has been high but fairly steady; it is now predicted to rise within a few days thanks to increasingly warm temperatures. However, a cold front moving across the area Thursday was expected to begin slowing the snowmelt.

Colorado’s north-central Jackson County is dealing with minor spillover into low-lying areas from the Illinois River, which has been running high. The river is expected to swell through Saturday. The Colorado River, along with Troublesome, Muddy and Willow creeks, is also under a flood advisory through Friday. Along the state line with Utah, residents of Mesa and Grand counties have been advised to keep an eye on the river, especially for agricultural and recreational users.

At the same time, high winds up to 50 mph followed by freezing temperatures were forecast for western Colorado and eastern Utah on Thursday night. Eastern Colorado is presently under a “red flag warning” from the National Weather Service; low humidity, fuels buildup, and winds up to 55 mph are driving local concerns about wildfire. A wind advisory for drivers in much of this area has also been issued.

More snow is expected for Montana and Idaho, with up to 5 new inches of accumulation on Lost Trail Pass expected Thursday. Idaho’s Okanogan River, Pend Oreille River and St. Joe River are all flooding. The Snake River is 0.9 feet above flood stage and hitting farms, roads and property near Shelley and Firth.

In Montana, the Missouri River has been rising near Ulm all week and residents could see actual flooding by Friday. Thunderstorms and scattered rain are expected to send creeks and streams over their banks in Meagher, Cascade, Judith Basin, Fergus, Choteau and Blaine counties within days. In Petroleum and West Garfield counties, rain continues to swell local streams. The Musselshell River is 5.1 feet above flood stage at Mosby. Heavy rain in Valley and Phillips counties is flooding the Milk River and local creeks. Flood stage for the Milk River is 25 feet, but the river has already hit 31.5 feet at Glasgow.

The National Weather Service reminds people in affected areas to move to high ground. Most flood deaths are caused by driving in flooded regions; drivers are advised to avoid any location with flooded roads. Individuals in flooded locations are also warned not to try driving over water-covered bridges or crossing streams on foot.

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