Flood waters may have crested on Beaver Creek

While water levels have hit their highest mark in Beaver Creek in at least 10 years, if not more, the worst seems to be over, and the water levels seem to be dropping.

Hill County Commission Chair Mike Wendland said this morning that the level of water coming into Beaver Creek Reservoir south of Havre finally seems to be going down.

"So, we're hoping we're past the crest," he said.

La t e snowstorms in the B e a r 's Paw Mountains followed by the recent warm we a t h e r has raised the level of Beaver Creek, inundating campgrounds on Beaver Creek Park, leaving water running over the spillways of all dams in the area and flooding lowland areas between Beaver Creek Dam and the Milk River, including playing areas on Beaver Creek Golf Course.

Water also had been increasing in Blaine County, with the county officials keeping a close eye on lowland areas on the Milk River and its tributaries, particularly roads and bridges.

Blaine County Commissioner Vic Miller, public information officer for the county, said this morning that it appears that the surge of water from the Bear's Paws should not cause major problems in the county.

The county personnel still are closely monitoring Clear Creek in western Blaine County and to the Milk River itself, Miller Added.

Wendland said Wednesday that the Hill County officials had hoped the levels would start to recede Tuesday night wi th cooler weather, but increased flooding — probably caused by rainfall Tuesday night and Wednesday morning — had increased the water levels instead.

Wendland said how much work needs to be done on the park is unknown at this point.

With the campgrounds, roads, culverts and some bridges under water, it is impossible to know the extent of damage, he said.

"We'll let the water subside, and then we'll assess the damage," he said.

No one had reported damages to the main highway in Beaver Creek Park as of this morning, Wendland said.

Some flooding across the highway had been reported earlier south of the park, and some flooding was reported several miles off the park on Sucker Creek County Road. The county road and bridge department had worked on the flooding on Sucker Creek, Wendland said today.

He said the flooding will require quite a bit of cleanup and reclamation, and may keep the park unusable through the Memorial Day weekend, although he added that people could call the park office to see what is available.

"People probably will need to make alternative plans," Wendland said.