June 2022 Unprecedented Flooding in South-Central Montana

Precipitation / Snow Melt

The Beartooths and Absarokas received anywhere from 0.8 inches to over 5 inches of rainfall over the course of June 10th through June 13th. This combined with anywhere from 2 to nearly 5 inches of snow melt equivalent, leading to a total water event of at least 4 to 9 inches. Below is a table showing how much snow melt and precipitation were observed at the Snotel sites.

Measured precipitation and snow-water equivalent melt at the Snotel sites from June 10th - June 13th.

Environment / Meteorology

Below is a collection of radar, model, and precipitation data.  The model data included suggested the potential for heavier rainfall across the region with the driving force being an atmospheric river.  The contribution of the rainfall combined with rapid snowmelt exacerbated the runoff and resulted in a devastating flooding event. 

Radar loop Sunday June 12th 6pm-Midnight

Precipitation Return Intervals for selected SNOTEL sites.	Model depiction of forecast atmospheric river focused into the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains

Mesoscale model ensemble (Composite Reflectivity). Suggests heavier rainfall potential.	Model Precipitable Water Climatology.  Shows highly anomalous PW values focused into the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains. Model run from 12Z on June 10th.	North American Ensemble Forecast System (NAEFS) Mean Integrated Water Vapor Transport showing standardized anomaly values of 6-8 focused into the higher terrain of southwest Montana and northwest Wyoming.

From the Fisher Creek SNOTEL, 3 miles north of Cooke City, MT.  Graph showing the median precipitation and snow water equivalent from 91-20 and current water year snow water equivalent and precipitation.  Area highlighted shows the rapid increase in precipitation while a rapid snowmelt was occurring.  This set the stage for a significant flooding event.

Carbon County

Significant flooding occurred on Rock Creek with water flowing through the town of Red Lodge. Evacuations were needed.

• A significant number of bridges and roads were lost, including the 19th and 9th street bridges in town.
• North Side bridge on East Side Road south of Red Lodge washed out.
• Water main was compromised and all town water was shut off for a period of time.
• Red Lodge NW Energy customers lost power for a time due to severe flooding compromising the service lines.

Areas That Were Evacuated

• Access via the North of South Entrances of East Side Road.
• Area east of Broadway and west of Rock Creek from 19th Street to 16th Street.
• Park Avenue
• South Kainu Avenue
• Island at Rock Creek - Kainu
• Shelter was set up at the Gruell Building at the Carbon County Fairgrounds.
• Church of the Rockies also served as an evacuation shelter.
• Area west of US212/Broadway Ave., between the intersections with 19th Street and south to Adams Ave on the east side of Adams Avenue.
• Lovers Lane in Belfry.
• Town of Fromberg, locations east of 3rd Street East.

Road Closures

• Hwy 212 between 14th St and West Fork Rd
• 19th Street Bridge
• Area east of Broadway from 19th to 14th
• Roads along the creek
• Kainu lane
• Park Ave
• Meeteetsee Trail at Rock Creek
• East Rosebud Rd #2177 on the Beartooth Ranger District
• East River Street is closed at 3rd Street due to flood issues (Fromberg)

Hydrographs

Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone near Belfry crested at 12.93 feet, shattering the previous record flood stage of 9.97 feet set on 06/09/1981.	Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone at Edgar crested at 12.98 feet, shattering the previous record of 9.5 feet set on 06/01/2020.	Rock Creek near Red Lodge, MT rose to 8.68' prior to the gauge becoming damaged.	West Fork Rock Creek near Red Lodge rose to 6.22' with debris clearly impacting the gauge.

Photos

13th Street Bridge at Rock Creek in Red Lodge, MT. Photo by Carbon County DES.	19th Street Bridge at Rock Creek in Red Lodge, MT. Photo by Carbon County DES.	Water over East Rosebud Road in Custer Gallatin National Forest. Photo by Heidi Meili with NBC MT.	Road washed out in Red Lodge, MT. Photo by Carbon County DES.

Bank erosion nears the new track in Red Lodge, MT. Photo by Carbon County DES.	Erosion nears a house in Red Lodge, MT. Photo by Carbon County DES.	Historic flooding in Red Lodge, MT. Photo by Carbon County DES.	Red Lodge, MT. Photo by Drew Daniel.

Montana National Guard conducts water rescues in Red Lodge, MT.	Ariel view from the Montana National Guard.	Historic flooding in Red Lodge, MT. Photo by Carbon County DES.	Red Lodge, MT. Photo by Drew Daniel.

Park County

Significant flooding occurred along the Yellowstone and other smaller creeks throughout Park County, including the backside of the Absarokas in the Cooke City / Silver Gate area. Extensive flooding throughout Park County washed out bridges, roads, and left communities and homes isolated. It also made drinking water unsafe in many areas.

The town of Gardiner became isolated and was surrounded by water. A Do Not Drink order for water was issued for the area after a water main broke. Cooke City and Silver Gate also were isolated and surrounded by water. The communities were isolated from each other.

• Carbella Bridge was washed out.
• 89 was closed from MM 13-15 in Yankee Jim Canyon due to a mudslide with rocks and water on roadway.
• River crested Hwy 89 at MM 51 and was closed.
• Gardiner to Mammoth closed due to rocks and water on roadway. Road washed out in many places.
• 3 feet of water over the Joe Brown Fishing Access site.
• 4 feet of water over the road at Silver Gate
• 3 bridges on Soda Butte Creek were washed out.
• Mul Heron Bridge was closed due to downed tree and water on bridge. Upper half of Cinnibar Bain inaccessible.
• Cooke City had no Fresh Water.
• The Yellowstone Ranger District office in Livingston closed due to advancing flood waters.
• Many people landlocked, including the communities of Gardiner, Cooke City, Silver Gate, the Cinnabar Basin, Tom Miner Basin, stretches of U.S. Highway 89 South, Mill Creek, and Old Yellowstone Trail.
• Mill Creek Bridge and Pine Creek Bridge are the only two operational bridges in Paradise Valley.

Livingston Areas that were Evacuated

• Ninth Street Island
• Much of the east side of Livingston under a pre-evacuation order. This includes from B Street east and Lewis Street south.
• Emergency shelter activated at Hope Lutheran Church at 2152 Graf Street in Bozeman.

Hydrographs

Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs peaked at 13.88 feet, shattering the previous record of 11.5 feet set on 06/14/1918.	Yellowstone River near Livingston peaked at 11.63 feet, surpassing the previous record of 10.72 feet set on 06/06/1997.	Gardner River near Mammoth peaked at 5.76 feet, surpassing its previous record of 5.09 feet set on 06/05/2010.	Soda Butte Creek near Silver Gate remained below Action Stage.

Photos

US-89 16 miles north of Gardiner, MT. Photo by Eric Newhouse.	US-89 just south of Livingston, MT. Photo by Melody Histed.	Point of Rocks bridge in Park County severely damaged. Photo by Christy Jones.	Severe flooding occurred throughout much of Park County. Photo by Bradley Warren.

Sweet Grass County

Road Closures

• Main Boulder Road south of Graham Creek Trailhead. Area affected was south of McLeod, MT on the Main Boulder Road.

Hydrographs

Boulder River at Big Timber peaked at 8.49 feet, just slightly below the record of 9 feet set on 06/05/1997.	East Boulder River near McLeod.

Stillwater County

• 3:30 AM on Monday, June 13th calls start coming in about flooding along the Stillwater River
• Nye Road at Stillwater Mine collapses leaving limited access to the mine complex
• Mine bridge to their secondary complex is severely damaged and impassable
• Rescue operation at the Woodbine Campground past the Sibanye-Stillwater mine in Nye involving 68 people who were stranded due to the Nye Road being washed out. They were transported by raft on the Stillwater River past the portion of the Nye Road that is now gone.
• Evacuation ordered for parts of Stillwater County near Nye/Stillwater Mine area via Code RED
• Reed Point area was beginning to flood. County Roads and Bridges was able to divert most water away from town.
• Bridge washed out in the vicinity of Chicken Creek on West Rosebud Rd.
• Extensive flooding around Columbus, Absarokee, Nye, and Fishtail.
• Many voluntary evacuations as well as rescues from homes.
• Many roads flooded and impassable.
• Bridge at Riddle's Cliff is washed out.
• A cabin was floating downstream and heading towards the Nye Bridge.

Hydrographs

Stillwater River near Absarokee shattered the previous record crest of 7.17 feet set on 06/02/2020 and peaked at 10 feet.	West Rosebud Creek near Emerald Lake Campground.	West Rosebud Creek near Roscoe.

Photos

Road washed out on the Stillwater between Nye and the mine.	Closer view of the washout. Photo by Nye Volunteer Fire Department.	Washout on Nye Road.	Road washed out near the mine in Stillwater County. Photo from Stillwater County News.

Bridge at Woodbine to the falls crushed by debris. Photo by Justin Sheely.	Debris piling up along the Stillwater River. Photo by Justin Sheely.	Cabin along the Stillwater River. Photo by Stillwater County News.	Stillwater River. Photo from Stillwater County News.

Yellowstone County

The mainstem of the Yellowstone River experienced historic flooding.

• The Water Plant for the City of Billings was forced to shut down for a period of time. It reopened at full capacity the next day.

Hydrographs

Preliminary gauge data at the Yellowstone River at Billings peaked at 16.50 feet, beating the previous all-time record of 15.00 feet set on 06/12/1997.

Sheridan County WY

Only minor flooding impacts across Sheridan County. Mostly typical low-lying areas that flooded.

Hydrographs

Goose Creek at Sheridan remained well below flood stage.	Little Goose Creek at Big Horn remained around a foot below its crest on May 30, 2022.	Big Goose Creek below Beaver Creek.	Tongue River near Dayton remained well below flood stage. Minor flooding was seen in low-lying areas.