Don’t get me wrong, we’re in peak season in Montana and Idaho. In fact, Idaho’s Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests have both swollen and fast-flowing stream washouts.
Part of Pierce Superior Road (FS 250 Road) washed out along Orogrande Creek (pictured above). The washout is at mile post 21, about eight miles upstream from the creek’s confluence with the North Fork of the Clearwater River. North Fork District Ranger Andrew Skowlund blamed the water accumulation on traffic jams: “We lost about 18 feet of road width and about four feet of shoulder.”
The Nez Perce-Clearwater Forest also noted a washout on Slate Creek Road #345 resulting in the closure of “full-size vehicles” in the Salmon River Ranger District.
What about Bitterroot Valley?
Back in Montana, in the Bitterroot Valley, the USGS Bitterroot River gauge at Bell Crossing near Victor showed a predicted high reading of 10.5 feet this weekend (flood stage is at 11 feet). So be careful along the banks, which can be very soft and dangerous with a full and fast river.
In the Bitterroot National Forest, Tod McKay reported flooding at Slate Creek Campground at the top of the West Fork, which closed the back loop of the site. The front loop is however open. And, at the top of the East Fork, Spring Gulch Campground could be closed if the river gets too high. It has been flooded in previous years.
There is the opposite water problem at Lake Como. The floating landing stage will not yet be installed due to the low level of the lake. It will be installed soon. Always check with local ranger stations or the Bitterroot National Forest Facebook page for the latest information. For example, Nez Perce Pass has partially reopened, according to a recent report.
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