St. Regis River nears flood stage as snowpack melts

The banks of the Clark Fork River are swollen with muddy, high water as spring temperatures start to melt the high mountain snow. According to a statement released by Mineral County Floodplain Administrator, Tim Read, area snowpack monitors indicate a snowpack level that is nearing 100 percent of average or above. Though there are no reports of flooding so far, if there is a lot of rain, and higher temperatures, then flooding could occur. Read said that high water events in Mineral County usually occur in the month of April.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the St. Regis River is close to flood stage. As of March 19, it was at a 99 percentile and anything over that is considered flood stage. The report also showed flood stage at eight feet and the river is currently at 7.26 feet. The river is also raging at 4,630 cubic feet per second.

The Clark Fork River is at 25,300 cfs. The Clark Fork’s flood stage is 19 feet and it is currently at 12.77 feet and at 94 percent, or six percent below flood stage. The Mineral County Environmental Health and Planning Department recently sent out an article reminding residents who live near streams and rivers that flood insurance policies must be in effect 30 days preceding a high water event that impacts building improvements.

“The time for planning and preparation, which includes obtaining flood insurance, is now,” said Read.