News you can use
Blaine County Commissioner Vic Miller said Wednesday that water levels are down in the Milk River and its tributaries, although water is still across roads in some parts of the county.
"Unusual cold weather has given the Milk River a chance to catch up and pass water on to the east, " Miller said.
The chance of severe flooding has been a major concern in Hill and Blaine counties this year, with heavy snowpack and high moisture content in the snow giving the chance of rapidly rising stream and river levels. That prompted concern about flooding in the communities of Chinook and Harlem.
The National Weather Service had a flood warning in effect for the Harlem area for nearly two weeks.
Miller said that while the water levels have dropped, the chance of snow and rain and high moisture content in the soil, which would prevent absorption of much snowmelt or precipitation, still raises concerns.
The reservoir BR 12 near Zurich had been breached during runoff, but was repaired quickly. Miller said officials began releasing water from BR 12 Sunday to get the reservoir back to the desired level, and releases are expected to begin from Anita Reservoir within the next seven days.
The releases from BR 12 have not created any apparent increases in the level of the Milk River, and the releases from Anita Reservoir will be monitored for their effect, Miller said.
He said there are areas with water across roads in the county, and that people are urged to not drive across open water on roads. Areas of concern will be signed.
Reader Comments(0)