Warm, Rainy Weather Brings Bitterroot River Level Up

The 80-degree temperatures and lines of thunderstorms have caused the Bitterroot River levels to rise and triggered a small streams flooding advisory from the National Weather Service.

A few small streams in the Bitterroot Valley are running out of their banks in places. There was a temporary road closure near Victor on Middle Bear Creek Road At Tushapaw Road Thursday afternoon. The road has since been reopened.

Meanwhile, the U.S.G.S. river gauges showed the main stem of the Bitterroot River closer to flood stage. At 1:45 p.m. Thursday, June 1, the Bell Crossing level was 9.91 feet with flood stage at 11 feet.

Conner's gauge was above 6 feet on June 1 with a reading of 6.34 feet at 1:15 p.m. with flood stage at 7.5 feet. Neither gauge is expected to go over flood stage in the next few days.

The river is eroding banks in parts of the Hamilton River Park, taking out some trees and a natural streamside trail. Caution tape has been placed in dangerous areas.

The muddy waterway is also carrying branches, logs and other debris downstream.