Lots of rain, little flooding

The threat of any major flooding on the mainstem Flathead River has diminished after a weekend of steady rain that brought almost 3 inches or more in many areas.

The Hungry Horse Dam was able to control flows into the mainstem from the South Fork noted National Weather meteorologist Trent Smith.

The Flathead River in Columbia Falls was at action stage as of Tuesday morning. The city of Columbia Falls has closed the lower end of River’s Edge Park as water is flowing through that area.

Noisy Basin topped out at 5.5 inches in the past four days.

Smith said rockslides and small stream flooding is still a concern, with reports of small stream flooding in the Mission Valley and near Polson.

One plus is the rain has changed to snow in higher elevations, with 5 to 10 inches of snow above 6,000 feet expected in Glacier National Park.

The North Fork is at about 8 feet currently. Flood stage is 13 feet. The Middle Fork is about 7.5 feet at West Glacier. Flood stage is 10 feet.

This week could see more rain, especially Thursday.