PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (MT) Flooding continues in eastern Montana

Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2019 19:17:05 EDT

Summary: Minor to major flooding from snowmelt-runoff and ice-jams continues in eastern Montana.

Gage-heights at eight (8) U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in eastern Montana are exceeding National Weather Service (NWS) minor to major flood stages. Lowland snowmelt-runoff and ice-jams are the cause of most of the flooding, exacerbated by frozen soils. Record peak gage-heights are being observed on the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir. Milk River flooding continues with downstream sites forecasted to remain above flood stage until Thursday April 4.

Four crews of two hydrographers were attempting high-flow measurements today. Ice flows have prevented discharge measurements and flooded roads have hampered access. One streamgage cantilever boom gage has been destroyed by ice. A second streamgage likely will be lost in the next 24 hours (see https://twitter.com/USGS_MT/status/1110992530156347392).

Cooperators, stakeholders, and the general public are being kept informed by multiple methods including NWSChat, telephone conversations, e-mail, and social media. Photographs of hydrographers measuring flood- and high-flows with text for context and links to data are being posted at Twitter and Instagram accounts @USGS_WY and @USGS_MT.

Interactive flood map for the Milk River, northeastern Montana