Flooding in Montana, May 1 to 31, 1997

Snowmelt flooding caused numerous road closures and road washouts throughout the region. In Flathead County, at least three road washouts were reported and one bridge damaged. At least 50 homes were flooded, mainly along Ashley Creek and the Stillwater, Swan and Whitefish Rivers. 50 people were isolated along Truman Creek, which washed out an access road. In Missoula County, at least four bridges were damaged, including a collapsed bridge on Sun Ray Lane in Lolo. Hardest hit was property along the Clark Fork River, Lolo and Rock Creeks. Several culverts and dikes were damaged. In Sanders County, extensive flooding occurred from Plains to Thompson Falls. One road washout resulted in 10 homes being isolated west of Plains along Eddy Creek. At least two bridges were damaged in the county, while four homes were flooded along the Clark Fork River near Plains. In Lake County, five structures were damaged from ground and spring water resulting from snowmelt near Woods Bay. Route 35 near Woods Bay was closed since late April, with 60 acres of flooding. The Jocko River flooded two homes and three trailers, and damaged one bridge. The Swan River flooded one home while the Little Bitterroot River flooded and damaged two bridges. In Ravalli County, six bridges were damaged from snowmelt flooding on the Bitterroot River, with bridges also damaged over Sleeping Child and Skalkaho Creeks. One home lost its foundation and several had water in basements along the Bitterroot River. In Mineral County, snowmelt flooding caused four-25 foot sections of guard rail from Interstate 90 to hang into the Clark Fork River. A 60-foot section of frontage road along the interstate was washed away seven miles east of Superior. In Lincoln County, flooding caused about 15 homes and many roads, culverts and dikes to be flooded along the Yaak River, while one bridge was damaged on O'Brien Creek.