AM 1240 KLYQ » Bitterroot River

Who is On the Bitterroot River and What Do They Like?

Steve Fullerton — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:08:05 +0000

Everyone knows that the Bitterroot and Blackfoot Rivers are popular during the summer months - but how popular?

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park, the University of Montana, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management are teaming up for a study of river use on the Blackfoot River and the West Fork and main stem of the Bitterroot River

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Snow Levels and Lack of Rain May Lead to Dry Season

Steve Fullerton — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:24:20 +0000

The snowfall was a little below normal and rainfall was much lower than expected in Southwest Montana this spring.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has released its streamflow forecast for the Bitterroot River drainage, which is Ravalli County's major river

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Bitterroot Streams are Rolling High and Fast – Keep Off!

Steve Fullerton — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:32:37 +0000

Each year, officials warn recreationists to stay off the Bitterroot River.

It's high water time in the Rockies and that means all rivers and streams are running near the top of their banks, and occasionally cresting over the edge

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Diminishing Bitterroot Snowpack May Lower Summer Streamflow

Steve Fullerton — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:33:44 +0000

With another month of less than expected snowfall, the Bitterroot River drainage is now the lowest percentage in Montana, with 85 percent of average.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reported weather patterns in March favored the northern part of Montana with more snow in the St Mary-Milk River Basin with 108 of average at the beginning of April, a gain of about 5 percent

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Bitterroot River Snowpack and Streamflow are Now Below Average

Steve Fullerton — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:11:05 +0000

Now, recreationists and farmers and ranchers are looking at the streamflow forecasts for the valley.

The most recent figures from the USDA Natural Resources and conservation Service (NRCS) show the levels are below average and much below levels last year

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Snowpack Drifts Lower in the Bitterroot Mountains

Steve Fullerton — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 08:44:13 +0000

The latest snow survey shows only 86 percent of average snowpack in the Bitterroot River drainage.

The monthly survey by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) showed the Bitterroot and the rest of Western Montana snowfields below average

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Bitterroot Snowpack is Lower Than Last Year

Steve Fullerton — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:01:40 +0000

The first snow survey of 2013 from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana showed over normal snowpack for the Missouri River Headwaters, but below normal for the Columbia River Headwaters, which includes the Clark Fork and the Bitterroot Rivers

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Bitterroot River Included in Statewide Fisheries Plan

Steve Fullerton — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 07:06:51 +0000

A long-term plan is being developed.

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Montana Snow Levels Vary Widely

Steve Fullerton — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 09:46:34 +0000

Bitterroot River drainage is a little below average.

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Bitterroot is a Fast, Full River

Steve Fullerton — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:06:38 +0000

Here's a warning about high water season.

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Bitterroot River Level Backs Off Slowly

Steve Fullerton — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 23:23:36 +0000

The drop is already happening.

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Bitterroot River Reaches Flood Stage – Barely

Steve Fullerton — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:41:45 +0000

The river and stream channels are full.

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Bitterroot River Level Jumps Up Early

Steve Fullerton — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:12:43 +0000

The river at Bell Crossing jumped from 7.7 feet Sunday evening to 10.22 feet Wednesday afternoon.

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Revised River Rules In Effect

Steve Fullerton — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:28:39 +0000

The new boating regulations for the rivers around Missoula have gone into effect, as of November 26.
The rules are aimed at motorized boats on the Bitterroot, Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers. On the Bitterroot River, spring unrestricted motorized travel has been eliminated

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Rollin' with the Riverfest

Steve Fullerton — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:18:31 +0000

Saturday, August 13, was the first Bitterroot Riverfest, sponsored by the Bitterroot Water Forum as a way to celebrate the water quality and quantity in the valley. From late morning to early afternoon, kids played in a variety of family-oriented activities

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Watchin' the Water – June 22

Steve Fullerton — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:22:58 +0000

Hot weather and a lot of snowpack equals continued high water in Western Montana. That includes the Bitterroot Valley. Streams and creeks have been running high for months and the Bitterroot River is again flirting with flood stage

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Watchin' the Water – June 13

Steve Fullerton — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:02:06 +0000

The Bitterroot River is running high and muddy, but not over flood stage. In fact, officials don't expect it to approach flood stage until the middle of next week - around June 22.
Monday, June 13, the Bitterroot River was at 6

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Water Watchin' – June 9

Steve Fullerton — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:43:00 +0000

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

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Watchin' the Water – June 8

Steve Fullerton — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:02:13 +0000

The Bitterroot River reached flood stage Wednesday, then dropped back below the official flood level.
Officials credit the cool weather for the slight drop and don't anticipate the Bitterroot River to get above flood stage again until late next week

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Flood Warning – Again

Steve Fullerton — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:32:20 +0000

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

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