All eyes are on the Yaak and Fisher rivers this week in Lincoln County, as warm temperatures, melting snow and rain could have both rivers hitting flood stage on Wednesday. The National Weather Service in Missoula issued a flood watch for all of Lincoln County that is in effect until Friday.
Hydrologist Ray Nickless said small streams pose the highest risk of flooding and low-lying roads could be the first affected, as well as some structures at river level.
“There are a few cabins and homes along the Yaak and so as we get further in the week, depending on what we get for weather, we’ll want to keep an eye on that,” Nickless said.
The National Weather Service predicted that a storm on Thursday would bring up to an inch of rain to Northwest Montana.
Although flooding is starting to become a concern in Lincoln County, Nickless said farther to the east in the Flathead Valley it will be less of a problem. Melting snow and rain will lead to a rise in area rivers, but it’s unlikely any will hit flood stage in the foreseeable future.