Stevensville rancher Hans McPherson testified before the US Senate Agriculture Committee this week about the need for reliable livestock disaster relief in the next Farm Bill.
Disaster programs in the 2008 Farm Bill are now providing help to farmers and ranchers in Montana affected by the recent flooding
Flooding in North Dakota was expected to enter record territory on Friday, with the Souris River expected to peak over the weekend, breaking a record set in 1881.
If you don't believe we have record-level snowpack, just try to get into the high backcountry of the Bitterroots. Todd McKay of the Bitterroot National Forest reported many roads are still closed because of blockages of not inches, but feet of snow
OK, I know you all have plans for this weekend. But Mother Nature has thrown a few roadblocks your way...maybe. It all depends on where you're headed.
The Skalkaho Pass is closed due to water over the road and some road damage from flooding, according to the Montana Department of Transportation
The entire Bitterroot River remains under a Flood Warning from the National Weather Service, though the river is generally below flood stage.
However, the streams and creeks in the valley have been causing frustration and closures - the major closure being Highway 38 - The Skalkaho Highway and Skalkaho Pass southeast of Hamilton
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the Bitterroot River near Darby and a Flood Watch for the rest of the valley this week.
The river level is expected to crest about a half foot above flood stage by Thursday
Here are recent developments in the flooding situation in the valley and the region.
The Montana Food Bank Network is trying to help the folks in the Lodge Grass area and other folks in eastern Montana who've been hit hard by the spring flooding.
They've set up a donation site at their website www.mfbn.org.
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The rivers and streams in the Bitterroot Valley continue to run bankfull or a little over their banks in places. And the water is full of debris and dirt from the spring runoff.
The Weather Service has the Bitterroot under a "Flood Watch" and the levels as of Wednesday, May 25, at 11am are: Darby - 6
The Bitterroot River gauges have continued to show levels well below flood stage, as cool weather continues in Western Montana.
Friday evening, the gauge at Darby was at 5.32 feet and the Bell Crossing gauge near Victor was at 9:03 feet, both were two feet below flood stage