Spring Runoff Season To Continue

SPRING RUNOFF SEASON TO CONTINUE

Most of the tributaries to the Missouri River have been under a very
active melt pattern over the past week. Runoff has been generated
and streams across western and southern North Dakota have risen in
response to the runoff. For the most part this has happened with few
problems, but western and central North Dakota are not yet out from
under the risk of ice related problems.

Some streams continue to have significant ice remaining even as
water levels subside. It will take many days for this ice to melt
without much water flowing through the system.  Other streams, such
as those in the northern half of the state still hold most of their
winter ice cover. In particular, as the melt season progresses in
the Souris River basin, ice can still pose a threat to rapid river
rises and ice jams as runoff enters the stream.

Similarly, river gage fluctuations on the Missouri River near
Williston suggest ice cover is very unstable and likely to be on the
move sooner, rather than later.

In short, things have progressed very well thus far in the spring
runoff season, but as we go forward...please feel free to report any
unexpected high water observed in your area to your local emergency
management for relay to the National Weather Service.