Drought conditions persist

SANDERS COUNTY – As warm temperatures and dry weather conditions continue to be the norm across northwestern Montana effects of the drought conditions are impacting Sanders County.

Hydrologists with the National Weather Service are reporting record low stream flows for several area rivers including the Clark Fork, Flathead, St. Regis and Yaak rivers.

Ray Nickless a hydrologist in Missoula with the National Weather Service said the current low flows are a result of a combination of factors.

He stated the early melt of a below average snow pack combined with an unseasonably warm spring with extremely low levels of precipitation have all contributed to the current record flow levels seen in area rivers.

“We knew we were going to have low stream flows this summer, but we didn’t think it would get this low,” Nickless said.

The hydrologist noted the hottest June on record was a factor in pushing the low stream flows of the early season to their current record low levels.

According to Nickless, Sanders, Mineral, Lincoln, Flathead and Lake counties are experiencing the lowest stream flows in the state.

The Hydrologic Statement issued by the National Weather Service for the first week of August showed several area waterways breaking low flow records, which have stood for years.

The NWS’s August 4th readings showed the Clark Fork River flowing at 5,380 cubic feet per second (cfs) breaking the previous record of 5,420cfs set in 1938.

In early August the North Fork of the Flathead River was flowing at 873cfs lower than the flow of 902cfs recorded in 1941.

Last week’s readings showed the St. Regis River at 76cfs lower than the mark of 96cfs set in 1973.

In the state’s northwestern corner the Yaak River also set a record with gauges showing 100cfs lower than the previous low mark set in 1977 at 107cfs.

No immediate relief appears to be on the way for the region’s rivers as the Weekly Water and Climate Update issued by the United States Department of Agriculture predicted no relief of drought conditions as extremely warm temperatures are likely to persist across the western portion of the nation.

Nickless noted no relief appears to be on the way but added he is hopeful some beneficial weather will head the region’s way as the summer winds down.

“We are hoping for some rain events in August to keep the fire conditions manageable and to reduce stress on fisheries,” Nickless said.