Flood stage changed for main river

The National Weather Service has lowered the flood stage benchmark for the Flathead River at Columbia Falls from 14 feet to 13 feet.

The change, announced Thursday, was done in coordination with the Flathead County Office of Emergency Services.

“The flood stage for this location was changed after surveys of the 2011 and 2012 floods revealed additional flooding taking place below the 14-foot level,” a National Weather Service press release states. 

“When water levels reach between 13 and 14 feet, crop lands are flooded and county roads are inundated along the Flathead River from near Evergreen to the confluence with Flathead Lake.”

During future high water events the flood stage will continue to be evaluated for accuracy, the release states.

Warm weather in the Northwest Montana forecast — highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s for the next few days — should continue to push river levels upward, according to the National Weather Service.

The Flathead River is expected to peak Monday and Tuesday at 12.73 feet, just short of the new flood stage.

On Friday, the river was running at 11.5 feet at the Columbia Falls gauge.

The North Fork Flathead River at the Canadian border is forecast to peak at 9.95 feet Sunday and Monday. Flood stage is 10.5 feet.

The Middle Fork Flathead River at West Glacier is expected to peak Monday at 7.77 feet, well below flood stage of 10 feet.