Fresh snow in the Bitterroot Mountains this morning
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| Taken west of Victor, Montana looking west at Totem Peaks and Bear Creek drainage. New snow means more water for the rivers this summer. |
Mid-March update for Bitterroot River
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| Tucker Crossing on the middle Bitterroot, looking southeast at the Sapphire Mountains |
This month has been good for the snowpack. The Bitterroot Mountains have been receiving and storing snow at the higher elevations. There have been some teaser warm days, but the current week (third full week of March) will be cooler in temperatures and more snow is in the forecast.
Sunday (3/18) Evening’s First Alert Forecast: Slushy Snow Tonight for MISSOULA COUNTY
By Adam Painter
Meteorologist
NWCC – Montana MAP with SNOTEL Current Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) % of Normal
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| Stream flow data in the middle Bitterroot River |
Late Feb photos of middle Bitterroot River
Here are photos of the Bitterroot near Bell Crossing on February 26, 2012. The cubic feet per second (CFS) was about 570. Temperature was in the low 30 degree range. Beautiful day. We like to give the fish a break in the winter while they are struggling to survive the cold, low water but I do like to chronicle the river in photos. Interesting to look back from year to year and compare winter conditions with spring, summer, and fall fishing observations. We love our rivers and all that lives in and on them. It is exciting to watch them as they change through the seasons.
All the river photos are taken from Bell Crossing Bridge looking north.
MONTANA SNOTEL Snow Water Equivalent Update 2.26.12
Finally after a pretty dry winter, we are getting more snow. Most of Montana was below 100% snow water equivalent, but that has changed and is forecasted to improve. A wet weather pattern is expected for early March. That is GREAT news for our rivers.Click the image for a larger view.
Riverside Cottage vacation rental on East Fork of the
Wapiti Waters recommends this cottage for a couple or a couple of guys that are interested in fishing the upper Bitterroot River and even the Big Hole River in Montana. It is affordable, clean, private and quiet. There are year-round activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, canoe, cross country and downhill skiing. Lost Trail Powder Mountain and Chief Joseph Pass cross country ski trails are about 40 miles south. Painted Rocks Reservoir and Trapper Peak are 22 miles southwest on West Fork road.
This bright and cheery spacious river cottage sits
just 50′ from the river’s edge. Come and enjoy the luxury of your own
fishing hole and relax in the private treed setting.
It is a one bedroom home and is newly renovated and
completely outfitted for your comfort. A comfortable futon couch can be
used as an extra double bed, sleeping a total of four people. The
covered porch facing the river provides a great outdoor living space.
Its location in the southern end of the Bitterroot Valley makes this
home a recreationalist’s dream.
completely outfitted for your comfort. A comfortable futon couch can be
used as an extra double bed, sleeping a total of four people. The
covered porch facing the river provides a great outdoor living space.
Its location in the southern end of the Bitterroot Valley makes this
home a recreationalist’s dream.
The cottage is managed by Amy Sage of SweetSage Vacation Rental. You can reach her at (406) 642-6400 or sweetsage@bitterroot.com.
Photos of upper Bitterroot River, Jan 27, 2012
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| Bitterroot River at Darby Bridge looking north. 252 CFS on Jan 27, 2012 at 5:30 PM |
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| Bitterroot River at Darby Bridge looking south. 252 CFS on Jan 27, 2012 at 5:30 PM |
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| Click on image to see larger view – works for the photos, too. |
The river looks beautiful. Jack and I were driving home from a great day at Lost Trail Pass ski area. A few days ago the ski area got 8 inches of new snow. The skiing was wonderful. We wanted to see the upper river up close and personal so we drove in to the old bridge just east of Darby, Montana.
