GREAT FALLS — After rising water levels threatened to flood some home in Choteau on Wednesday, Mayor Chris Hindoien said there hasn’t been any more widespread flooding.
Hindoien said, “Once we got the water flowing fast enough, it pretty much took care of itself.”
Hindoien added that some sunshine would help keep the creek flowing smoothly and ensure that the city stays flood-free.
“Some sunshine would be a godsend,” Hindoien said.
However, a change in the weather could cause the ice to jam and the the waters to rise once again.
Because of that, the flood warning will stay in effect until Friday at 2:15 pm - - at which point city officials can either extend the flood warning or roll back to a flooding advisory instead.
Hindoien shared the following message on the town Facebook page on Thursday afternoon:
We are experiencing a little bit more water leaving Spring Creek between 3rd ST NE and 1st ST NE (Dutton Highway) seeping both east and west of the creek. Water is flowing both on top of and under the ice. The Choteau Park along Spring Creek is experiencing flooding and icing stretching into the park. The walking bridge is off limits and cordoned off. Farther downstream we are still seeing water flowing again on top and below the ice.
You can visually see how the culverts under the roads are nearly to the top with ice, yet we see it flowing through. The National Weather Service U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) will continue our Flood Warning through 2:15 pm Friday January 17, 2020. We will converse with them at this time and make any necessary changes to the situation then.
We are in communication with our County and State Partners as we work throughout the day and night. Sunshine on our shoulders would make us real happy! The sun helps - the nights hinder, more sun, more flow.
We are seeing folks with water continuing to pump. We have seen some new faces in the City Office as well to fill out paperwork on water issues. Please, this is to benefit us all for planning and future preparedness.
Thanks again - we are open to your questions and will work diligently to get you the answers if we are unable to provide them. There is a wealth of knowledge here in Choteau on this issue - we are a strong and healthy community. We work together to help our neighbors - nobody is alone during this event.
Thank you,
Chris Hindoien - Mayor
We will keep you updated on any changes to flood conditions in Choteau as we receive more information.
(JANUARY 15, 2020) A flood warning has been issued in the city of Choteau because of ice jams in Spring Creek.
Water is currently flowing out of the creek and into both the residential area east of the creek on 3rd Street NE, 4th Street NE, and 3rd Avenue NE and the railroad right of way to the west.
The flow has improved in the creek and water that was backed up is dropping; the water has been reported up to six inches deep on some streets.
If the water levels continue to rise, some houses may be threatened by the flood waters.
The situation started on Tuesday when readings from the Teton River flow meter west of town began to show elevated water levels.
“As those changes indicated ice in the Teton, It normally is a strong indicator that the water level inside the city limits is going to rise," said Choteau mayor Chris Hindoien.
Town officials expect that they could see water damage in parts of town that haven’t seen such in a long time. If people do have damage, help is available: “If you start seeing water in your basement and you have never had it there before, we ask you to reach out to the city. You can call me, call the city," said Hindoien.
