snowmelt News

Alaska River Flooding from Snowmelt Sweeps Away One Home

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — One home was swept away by a raging river, with several other homes and cabins lining the Copper River in eastern Alaska also in danger of being lost because of the eroding riverbank, officials said Wednesday. …

California Gives Rivers More Room to Flow to Stem Flood Risk

MODESTO, Calif. (AP) — Between vast almond orchards and dairy pastures in the heart of California’s farm country sits a property being redesigned to look like it did 150 years ago, before levees restricted the flow of rivers that weave …

Dirty Snow and Warm Temps Aid Red River Valley Snowmelt

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Any fears of an extended spring flooding season in the Red River Valley have been virtually eliminated thanks in large part to the soil-stained snow that helped absorb warmth from the sun, the National Weather Service …

Snow, Rain, Brings Flood Concerns to Pacific Northwest

SEATTLE (AP)–The latest storm to hit the Pacific Northwest brought flood warnings, the shutdown of a major mountain pass, school closures and icy roads Thursday. Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass in Washington state’s Cascade mountains was closed Thursday due to …

Dry Spell Raises Concern of Drought’s Return in California

It’s been almost a year since Los Angeles residents felt any real rain, and precious little snow is in the Sierras, but water managers say it’s too early for fears that California is sliding back into drought as abruptly as …

Researchers Improving West Coast Rain on Snow Flooding Forecasts

Many of the worst West Coast winter floods pack a double punch. Heavy rains and melting snow wash down the mountains together to breach riverbanks, wash out roads and flood buildings. These events are unpredictable and difficult to forecast. Yet …

Idaho Governor Declares Disaster for Soggy Bonner County

Idaho’s governor has issued a disaster declaration to help Bonner County in northern Idaho deal with record rain and snowmelt that have damaged roads and triggered landslides. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter approved the declaration this week. Idaho Bureau of Homeland …