Flood watch issued for Lincoln, Sanders counties

The National Weather Service in Missoula issued a flood watch late Tuesday morning for Lincoln and Sanders counties beginning this evening and continuing through Wednesday afternoon.

Forecasters say rain will increase this evening lasting into Wednesday afternoon. The combination of warm temperatures will cause an increase in melt from a primed snowpack that has increased in the last week. 

The Bull Lake area figures to get the most rain, according to forecasters, possibly more than one inch, between now and Wednesday night.

Flows in streams and creeks may increase quickly and reach critical levels. Mainstem rivers, such as the Kootenai, are expected to remain below flood stage at this point.

Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.

According to the U.S. Geological Service, the Fisher River is running normal with a discharge rate of 574 cubic feet of water per second.

The Yaak River is also running at normal levels, discharging 758 cubic feet of water per second.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the snowpack, as of March 16, in the Kootenai region is still only at 79% of normal. The Lower Clark Fork is at 89%.

But, in the current water that began Oct. 1, 2025, the Kootenai is at 116% while the Lower Clark Fork is at 113%.