Muddy water

Montana Outdoors

May 21, 2011

Muddy water

Filed under: Montana — Tags: Clark Fork of the Columbia River — montucky @ 9:19 pm

The Clark Fork of the Columbia river is about at its peak flow now and while it does spread out a lot that is normal for this time of year and not a flood problem. In an area of rapids not far from my house the water level is eight to ten feet higher at the moment than it is during late summer and winter. The photo does not quite show the proper perspective, but the river is a mile away and a thousand feet below the end of the meadow and the flowers.

Comments (25)

25 Comments »

It looks like the river is right up to the top of the banks. The Yellowstone is up about 4′ now but our peak flow is still a ways away. Everyone in livingston is hoping it dosen’t come all at once this year, if it does there is going to be some flooding.

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Comment by Jim — May 22, 2011 @ 6:28 am

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- I hope the Yellowstone doesn’t flood too. The Clark Fork still has room to grow before it floods anywhere. In ’97 it had several feet more than now and didn’t do much damage in this area. Still lots of snow up high though.
  
  I’m more concerned about the fishery below the big burn from the Chippy Creek fire of a few years ago. THere still isn’t much vegetation there to old,the snow melt.
  
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  Comment by montucky — May 22, 2011 @ 7:37 am
  
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That long straight line between the meadow and the river must be the railroad tracks. Right ??
We’re looking across the river at the mtns.
Great photo for sure

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Comment by Frances Schenck — May 22, 2011 @ 11:46 am

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- The line that shows is river road east. The railroad is out of sight between the flowers in the foreground and the river. The photo was taken facing south from a thousand feet up the south slope of the mountains between Plains and Paradise. Patrick’s Knob is in the background.
  
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  Comment by montucky — May 22, 2011 @ 11:54 am
  
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Hi Montucky, It seems to be a season of higher rivers. I have seen the Columbia River in Oregon where it is just huge. Have a super nice day. Great picture!

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Comment by wildlifewatcher — May 22, 2011 @ 11:54 am

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- It is our usual high water season here because of the melting snow. So far the water in this river hasn’t been any higher than normal, but it should stay high longer this year.
  
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  Comment by montucky — May 22, 2011 @ 8:23 pm
  
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A work of art… this would be lovely framed and hanging on the wall anywhere! Just lovely in every way…

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Comment by Victoria — May 22, 2011 @ 2:26 pm

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- Thanks Tory! The climb to that spot goes up a thousand feet in a mile, but the views from there are worth the hike.
  
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  Comment by montucky — May 22, 2011 @ 8:26 pm
  
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Okay now, that is starting to look like spring. Does the snow runoff always get muddy?

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Comment by sandy — May 22, 2011 @ 2:56 pm

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- The larger rivers do get muddy. Many of the smaller streams are running high, but clear.
  
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  Comment by montucky — May 22, 2011 @ 8:27 pm
  
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What a beautiful view…

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Comment by Stacey Dawn — May 22, 2011 @ 4:18 pm

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- I like it. It’s very enjoyable to sit there for awhile and enjoy the breeze coming up the slope.
  
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  Comment by montucky — May 22, 2011 @ 8:29 pm
  
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I’m used to muddy… that’s about all we have. The rivers all seem to be at their maximum (or over) right now. I hope this one stays within it’s banks.

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Comment by kcjewel — May 22, 2011 @ 5:35 pm

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- In general, people have respected the power and potential of this river and not built very many things in harm’s way.
  
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  Comment by montucky — May 22, 2011 @ 8:31 pm
  
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Even your mud is pretty up there.

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Comment by Candace — May 22, 2011 @ 7:33 pm

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- It is very pretty here now that everything is green. The forests are celebrating spring. In a few weeks the rivers will be clear again.
  
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  Comment by montucky — May 22, 2011 @ 8:47 pm
  
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  - Do you think it will happen so soon, Montucky? I suspect the high roil-y waters will last longer than usual, based on the continued snowpack – and accumulation – we are getting this spring. And the rain showers only add to it. I bet the fishermen will have to bide their time this year.
    
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    Comment by Kim — May 23, 2011 @ 9:01 am
    
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The view is extraordinary… the mountains, the flowers, the trees! So beautiful!!! =)

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Comment by Tricia — May 23, 2011 @ 9:45 am

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- It’s so good to see the flowers and the greens again after the long winter! That scene was a serendipity, a reward for a tough hike.
  
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  Comment by Anonymous — May 23, 2011 @ 9:35 pm
  
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- It’s so good to see the flowers and the greens again after the long winter! This scene was a serendipity, a reward for a tough hike.
  
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  Comment by montucky — May 23, 2011 @ 9:37 pm
  
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OH no, I forgot the sky, too!!! =)

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Comment by Tricia — May 23, 2011 @ 9:45 am

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Beautiful photos. I love the way your camera captures the texture of the flowers, particularly the top one.

There’s a river less than a mile from us that floods quite a lot, but thankfully we’re a bit higher than the flood plain area that gets the worst of it.

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Comment by Val — May 23, 2011 @ 5:19 pm

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- We have always been careful to stay out of potential or possible flooding situations. Here, while the river is close, we are good fifty feet above it, and from here we can enjoy seeing the high water.
  
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  Comment by montucky — May 23, 2011 @ 9:39 pm
  
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I stared You photo for long time admiring all that I could find. Fantastic scenery. I love it.

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Comment by sartenada — May 27, 2011 @ 12:19 am

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- It is a small, wild meadow that overlooks the valley. I had been exploring way up at the head of it, then stumbled upon this scene on the way back toward the trail.
  
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  Comment by montucky — May 27, 2011 @ 10:06 pm
  
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