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NWS issues flood warning on Gallatin

High waters and flooding are currently impacting several areas in southwest Montana leading to evacuations and unsafe conditions.

With ongoing snowmelt with rainfall over the Gallatin and Madison Mountains, the National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Gallatin River including near Logan.

The "moderate risk" warning was issued from the evening of June 12 until Thursday, June 16.

Montana FWP officials Monday reported portions of the Missouri Headwaters State Park near Three Forks are closed due to high water levels. The FWP also closed all Jefferson River fishing access sites from Cardwell Bridge to the Missouri Headwaters State Park. They also closed all Gallatin and East Gallatin fishing access sites.

Northwestern Energy has reported that Hegben Dam and Ennis Lake are full and they will be releasing more water out of the dam as needed.

Due to hazardous flooding conditions, Yellowstone National Park has temporarily closed its entrances and is evacuating all visitors through the south and West Yellowstone gates due to flooding at the other entrances.

Before visitors or residents head north from the park to seek accommodations, they are encouraged to check for availability. There is limited lodging in Bozeman, and there is no cellular service for 70 miles between West Yellowstone and Bozeman.

There will be erosion mitigation along the roadway in the Gallatin Canyon on U.S. Highway 191. Traffic will be delayed.

On Tuesday morning, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte declared a statewide disaster due to flooding.

The Gallatin Gateway Fire Department reported Sunday that water from the Gallatin River was over Axtell Gateway South Road in several areas.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

recently reported that cool, wet conditions improved the snowpack.

Hydrologist Eric Larson said April and May combined brought more precipitation than January through March at most SNOTEL sites in the region.

"Many sites, particularly in southwest Montana, have received over 10 inches in the last two months. High elevations in the Beartooths, Northern Gallatin Range, and the Tobacco Root Mountains received over 15 inches in the last two months, which is double what they received in January through March," Larson said.

 
 
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