Methow River at 14.75 feet at 5:15 at Winthrop
Re: Methow River at 14.75 feet at 5:15 at Winthrop
The river was getting close to Goat Creek road yesterday near the bridge and still rising. Looks like more rain is on the way for next week too!
Re: Methow River at 14.75 feet at 5:15 at Winthrop
The gauge "Methow River Above Goat Creek Near Mazama" hit a height of 18.67' yesterday morning (Dec 11 at 7:00AM). Since then it's fallen to 17.12' (morning of Dec 12). For comparison, the recent peak height during Spring runoff was 19.59' on May 5, 2023. So we got close to the recent Spring peak.
If the river gets much higher during the next storm then we may see some water on Highway 20 a short distance up-valley from the Weeman Bridge. There is a low spot there that sometimes gets flooded during years with high Spring runoff. The river is currently dropping, the next storm is expected to bring less rain, and much of the lowland snow has already melted, so we might get lucky. On the other hand, the river will be starting at a higher level than with the last storm and any unfrozen ground is thoroughly saturated, so it might be worse.
It should be interesting!
Andy
If the river gets much higher during the next storm then we may see some water on Highway 20 a short distance up-valley from the Weeman Bridge. There is a low spot there that sometimes gets flooded during years with high Spring runoff. The river is currently dropping, the next storm is expected to bring less rain, and much of the lowland snow has already melted, so we might get lucky. On the other hand, the river will be starting at a higher level than with the last storm and any unfrozen ground is thoroughly saturated, so it might be worse.
It should be interesting!
Andy
Re: Methow River at 14.75 feet at 5:15 at Winthrop
The year the bridge over, is it Eureka Cr. and I don't remember the year,
got wiped out, the river was at 8,000 Cfs. That was a rarity.
Hoping for snow, like the forecast says for next week.
got wiped out, the river was at 8,000 Cfs. That was a rarity.
Hoping for snow, like the forecast says for next week.
Pearl Cherrington
Re: Methow River at 14.75 feet at 5:15 at Winthrop
I saw a Facebook post with some aerial photos of HWY 20 near the Silver Star gate - and above. Looked like multiple mud and rock slides across the road…plus maybe some washouts. I cant imagine WSDOT would try to tackle these this late in the year. May be a slow open next spring?
Sorry…cant figure out how to post a link.
Sorry…cant figure out how to post a link.