National Weather Service Bismarck ND
11:13 AM CDT Tue Apr 11 2023
...RUNOFF FROM SNOWMELT WAS INCREASING ACROSS WESTERN AND CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...
Water from melting snow was establishing pathways to the rivers and streams across western and central North Dakota.
Some of the more prominent rivers and streams that were already receiving runoff include: the Little Muddy River near Williston, the Little Missouri River, the Knife and Heart rivers, Square Butte Creek in northeast Morton County, Cedar Creek and the Cannonball River, and the Yellowstone River from Montana to the confluence with the Missouri.
This pattern of water runoff from melting snow will work its way eastward over the next few days with continued mild temperatures. This includes but is not limited to: Beaver Creek through Emmons
County and its upstream branches in Logan and McIntosh counties, Apple Creek through Burleigh County, along with Burnt and Hay creeks, and Painted Woods and Turtle Creeks in McLean County.
This pattern of water runoff will make its way out into the Prairie Pothole Region and cause all lakes and wetlands in closed, or semi-closed basins, to begin to rise. Other small streams and rivers
that will produce strong runoff include: White Earth River in Mountrail County and Deep Water Creek in McLean County.
Later this week, water runoff should commence in the James River Basin, including: Pipestem Creek, the James River, Cottonwood, Bone Hill and Beaver creeks, and the Maple and Elm rivers through LaMoure and Dickey counties.
For the Souris (Mouse) River and its tributaries, runoff will continue to increase over the next few days. This includes: the Des Lacs and Wintering rivers, Deep Creek and all the coulees north and
west of Minot, Willow Creek, and Long Creek in Divide County.
Rapid rises are expected in nearly all rivers and streams draining western and central North Dakota, but dry soils underlying the snowpack are still expected to temper the runoff. However, flooding
of nearby low-lying areas is a distinct risk going forward.
