MISSOULA – The Bitterroot River will continue to rise this weekend and has potential to reach moderate flood stages by Monday.
The river is predicted to hit levels not seen since 1997 which has prompted officials to warn residents in the Lolo area who live near the river to take extra precautions through the weekend and stay alert and informed.
The National Weather Service in Missoula has extended the Flood Warning for the Bitterroot River near Missoula until further notice. The river level has reached 12.0 feet and will rise to around 12.5 feet Tuesday.
Flood stage on the Bitterroot River is 11.0 feet and moderate flood stage is 13.0 feet. At 12.0 feet, flooding of farmland and some roads along the
Bitterroot River from Lolo to the confluence with the Clark Fork River is possible.
Sand and sandbags are available at the Lolo Community Center on US Highway 93 South.
Meanwhile, The Clark Fork River is expected to see water levels rise slightly through Sunday before leveling off for a day or two. The National Weather Service has extended the Flood Warning for. the Clark Fork River below Missoula in Mineral and Missoula counties until further notice.
The river is expected to crest to near 11.5 feet over the weekend with minor flooding is forecast. At 11.0 feet, flooding of low lying areas adjacent to the river
is possible just west of Missoula to Frenchtown.
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