Beulah Beacon News
Snowstorm dejavu all over again
After stymieing Santa with the Christmas blizzard of 2009, Mother Nature was at it again Easter weekend by hindering the Easter Bunny’s way with wind, rain and sleet that eventually turned into an all-out blizzard in some areas of the state.
Knife River continues to drop
The Knife River continues to drop despite heavy rains Friday.
The flood is canceled
A flood forecast released by the National Weather Service at 8:36 a.m. Tuesday predicts that the Knife River at the Hazen river gauge will crest at 20.4 feet, a half foot short of flood stage. At 1 p.m. that forecast was updated to 20.6 feet.
Calving conditions much improved
Mercer County ranchers are seeing much improved calving conditions over last year’s cold wet mess.
Knife River level falling, but overtopping roads
The Knife River crested below flood level Thursday, but still managed to close a couple of roads in Mercer County. The National Weather service predicts a second higher crest over the weekend.
Flood risk lessened, flood prep continues
An unprecedented extended thaw has lessened the chance of a damaging flood on the Knife River, although some risk remains, according to a National Weather Service hydrologist.
Zap and Beulah continue to prepare for the worst case
Despite an improved flood forecast, communities along the Knife River and Spring Creek are continuing their flood fighting preparations just in case.
Beulah says NO!
By a 7-0 vote, the Beulah City Council said “thanks but no thanks” to the offer from the Army Corps of Engineers of an emergency levee to protect against this year’s flood.
Zap turns out for sandbagging party
Young and old, from across the street and down the road, a strong contingent of area residents gathered to help Zap prepare for high water as the snow melts.
Flood odds remain high
A stretch of dry weather in February has stabilized the probability of flooding along the Knife River and its tributaries. However, barring an uncharacteristically slow melt, the National Weather Service predicts that some flooding is almost inevitable.
