Reservoir breached in Blaine County

A Blaine County reservoir was breached Tuesday, with officials working on managing the damage today, and increasing levels of the Milk River expected to cause lowland flooding near Harlem by today.

Commissioner Vic Miller, public information officer for Blaine County, said this morning that the reservoir north of Zurich known as Swank Reservoir breached Tuesday.

Zurich has not been affected, and landowners in the area have been notified.

Bureau of Land Management officials are at the scene with construction equipment working on the breach, Miller said.

He said people are urged not to travel to Zurich Park until enough water has been released through the controlled breach.

Flooding also is expected by the Harlem area later today, no later than Thursday.

Flooding already is occurring north of the town, with Thirty Mile Creek reported overflowing its banks with Thirty Mile Road closed north of the town due to water washing out the road.

The National Weather Service earlier Tuesday had issued a warning that flooding near Harlem was expected by Friday morning, with levels potentially high enough to impact streets and homes in Harlem and Chinook by Tuesday.

Miller said this morning that the Milk River's levels are expected to peak over the weekend before Monday, at near 24 feet.

Historically, at a 24-foot level the river has caused flooding in Harlem and Chinook, the National Weather Service reports.

Miller urged local residents not to travel over roads with water, and people in need of shelter to contact Laurie Huestis at the Disaster and Emergency Services office at 357-3310.

The Weather Service also has issued a winter weather advisory for north-central Montana.

Starting at midnight, snow is expected to hit Cut Bank, moving east and hitting the Havre area by early Thursday morning. The snow is expected to taper off by Thursday evening.

The Weather Service warned travelers that increasing winds Thursday afternoon could lead to blowing snow and reduced visibilities, with an accumulation of 2 inches to 4 inches expected through the period.

Road surfaces also may become slick due to slush and wet snow, and drivers are urged to use caution.