Flood warnings in effect

The Daily Inter Lake

Flood warnings remained in effect for Flathead and Lincoln counties for today, even though the National Weather Service downgraded peak flow estimates for rivers and streams in both counties.

The Flathead River at Columbia Falls had risen to 12.4 feet, just below its 14-foot flood stage by Sunday afternoon. The National Weather Service projected the river to crest at 13.6 feet by Tuesday, a peak-flow that is lower than the service has forecast in recent days.

Similar downward adjustments were made for most other rivers in the region. And flows on all rivers in Northwest Montana are projected to drop throughout this week.

The Middle Fork Flathead River at West Glacier, however, still was projected to exceed its 10-foot flood stage late Sunday, reaching a peak flow of 10.46 feet by this afternoon.

The service maintained official flood warnings for the Middle Fork and the North Fork Flathead River through Tuesday afternoon.

The North Fork was projected to reach its 12-foot flood stage at Polebridge late Sunday night, cresting at 12.26 feet.

Cindy Mullaney, director of Flathead County Office of Emergency Services, said Sunday afternoon that plans are in place to respond if necessary.

"Things are looking pretty good so far," she said. "At this point, we are just waiting to see if anything happens."

In Lincoln County, the Fisher River reached its 7.5-foot floot stage near Libby early Sunday morning and was projected to crest at 7.89 feet by early this morning.

The Yaak River near Troy reached its 8-foot flood stage Saturday and was projected to reach a peak flow of 8.7 feet by this afternoon.