Flooding in Montana, March 21 to 31, 2019

During the afternoon of March 21st, at the Hinsdale forecast point (BCHM8) along Beaver Creek, recent snow melt and an ice jam caused the river level to suddenly rise above the flood stage of 14.0 feet at 4:47 PM MST. The creek crested at 17.15 feet at 12:12 AM MST on the 23rd. As the ice jam gradually cleared, the creek fell back down below flood stage temporarily during the afternoon of the 24th, then rose again above flood stage near mid day on the 25th. The creek finally fell below flood stage to end this flood event at 10:13 AM MST on the 27th.

During the evening of March 21st, at the Glendive forecast point (GNDM8) along the Yellowstone River, an ice jam caused the river level to briefly rise above the flood stage of 53.5 feet at 10:12 PM MST. The river crested at 54.96 feet at 10:56 AM MST on the 22nd. As the ice jam quickly cleared, the river suddenly fell back down below flood stage at 11:55 AM MST on the 22nd.

McCone County Sheriff's Office reported that some area back roads are impassible due to recent snow melt causing rising creek levels along the smaller tributaries feeding into the Redwater River. Most impacts were along and near the Brockway East Road and and the Dry Ash Creek Road due to culverts washing out along the Tusler Creek. Flood start and end times are estimated.

Richland County DES Coordinator reported the Yellowstone River out of its banks and flooding low lying areas east and south of Highway 200 due to an ice jam just east of Fairview. Flood start and end times estimated.

During the morning of March 22nd, at the Poplar forecast point (PLRM8) along the Poplar River, recent snow melt and possible ice jams caused the river level to rise above the flood stage of 13.0 feet at 9:39 AM MST. The river crested at 20.61 feet at 1:43 PM MST on the 25th. The river level remained high and flooding continued through the end of the month.

During the early morning of March 23rd, at the Saco forecast point (SACM8) along the Milk River, recent snow melt and a possible ice jams caused the river level to quickly rise above the flood stage of 20.0 feet at 4:35 AM MST. Between multiple ice jams, the river level dropped back down below flood stage for just a few hours the next day before rising above flood stage again. The river crested at 21.97 feet at 1:54 PM MST on the 25th. As the ice jam gradually cleared, the river fell back down below flood stage at 11:00 PM MST on the 27th.

During the morning of March 23rd, at the Tampico forecast point (TMPM8) along the Milk River, recent snow melt caused the river level to quickly rise above the flood stage of 23.0 feet at 7:19 AM MST. The creek crested at 27.37 feet at 5:12 PM MST on the 27th. The river level remained high and flooding continued through the end of the month.

During mid-day on March 23rd, at the Glasgow forecast point (GLWM8) along the Milk River, recent snow melt caused the river level to rise above the flood stage of 25.0 feet at 12:27 PM MST. The river crested at 31.37 feet at 7:41 PM MST on the 28th. The river level remained high and flooding continued through the end of the month.

During the morning of March 24th, at the Sidney forecast point (SIDM8) along the Yellowstone River, an ice jam caused the river level to briefly rise above the flood stage of 19.0 feet at 7:52 AM MST. The river crested at 19.59 feet at 1:27 PM MST on the 24th. As the ice jam cleared, the river fell back down below flood stage at 4:55 PM MST on the 24th.

During the morning of March 24th, at the Nashua forecast point (NSHM8) along the Milk River, recent snow melt caused the river level to rise above the flood stage of 20.0 feet at 10:29 AM MST. The river crested at 27.47 feet at 4:43 PM MST on the 26th. The river level remained high and flooding continued through the end of the month.