Here is a slideshow for photos from Victor Crossing. The first photo is May 11 and the last is May 22.
Today the river is dropping but if the weather warms a lot, it could rise again as the snow-pack melts.
For now, it is below flood stage except in the very low areas.
Jack is flying over the river as I type this with a friend. I will blog some photos from the flight when he gets home.
Click here for Wapiti Waters USGS Stream Flow Links.
The photo is of the Bitterroot River south of Victor Crossing. It was taken yesterday about 2:00 pm. Since then, it rose about 3000 cubic feet per second (CFS) – from approximately 10,000 to 13,000 CFS.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning, as of Tuesday afternoon, for the Bitterroot River in the Darby and Victor areas.
With tributaries rising on the heels warm weekend temperatures, officials with the National Weather Service say rapid snow melt has raised the likelihood of flooding.
The Bitterroot River was measured at 7.3 feet late Tuesday morning, with flood stage at 7.5 feet. The National Weather Service warns that flood waters can be expected to inundate several roads in Ravalli County.
The service issued a flood watch for the South Fork of the Clearwater River near Stites, Idaho. The South Fork of the river is expected to reach flood stages late Tuesday or Wednesday morning.
From the RAVALLI REPUBLIC Online.
Click here for Wapiti Waters links to USGS Streamflow Data – River water level information.
I will post a slideshow soon of the river from normal levels, to higher levels, to flood stage (if it happens) at Victor Crossing.
The photo to the right is from May 11 at Victor Crossing which is about the middle of the Bitterroot. You can see that it is fairly clear and big, but not bank-full or in the run-off stage.
The weather this spring has been cool, cool, cool. The photo below was taken May 12. Yes, it was snowing. The snow-pack in the mountains is growing not shrinking.
It was a couple of cold days in May! Dave came down from northwestern Montana and his daughter KJ came over from Idaho to fish two days with Jack.
It was great to see them both and to catch some trout. Thanks to you both, hope to see you again soon.
All the photos are from KJ’s camera, thanks for sending them in – see them in the Picasa slideshow below.
We drove through the Big Hole Valley a few days ago on our way to Bozeman and Billings. The slideshow below starts just east of Lost Trail Pass (it was snowing on our way over) and then visits the Big Hole River near Wisdom, Wise River, and Divide, Montana. Click the town names for more information on the Visit Montana site.
The river was big and fast, the weather was overcast and in the 45 degree range, but we saw a few boats with people fishing…not sure what the success rate was.
For USGS water data/flow information for the Big Hole River at Maiden Rock near Divide MT click this link.
Jack is a permited Fly Fishing Outfitter for the Big Hole, has fished and guided on it for over 30 years, and loves that special high mountain valley. Click Wapiti Waters Big Hole web page for more information, including more links.
To see the slideshow in a new window, click Big Hole River Slideshow on SmugMug.
Interesting facts about the Big Hole:
