Big Horn and Washakie County Residents Warned of Ice Jams and Flooding Along Big Horn River

The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents living in Manderson, Greybull, and Lovell to be wary of a week of potential flooding along the Big Horn River.

The Big Horn River is experiencing ice jams, which has led to low-level flooding in areas throughout the river path. Therefore, the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office is warning anyone who lives along the river from the Big Horn/Washakie County line to Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area to be extremely cautious.

On Thursday, March 16, the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office issued a Safety Alert for anyone living or working along the Big Horn River. Specific areas of concern are residences along the Big Horn River north through Manderson, Greybull, and to the Yellowtail Habitat area near Lovell.

As ice jams break up downstream, the flow is encountering bottlenecks and additional jams that will create dams blocking the inflow water stream, creating localized flooding. As the weather fluctuates between colder and warmer, it will also affect the flows and jams.

Courtesy Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office

Flooding caused by ice james can rapidly occur and can be dangerous to livestock, equipment, and human safety.

The situation can go from no risk to rapid flash flooding in a matter of minutes. Ranchers and residents should consider moving livestock and equipment to higher elevations to ensure safety of property and avoid traveling down flood-covered roads.

Unfortunately, the situation is unlikely to end soon. Because flooding is largely dependent on the weather and water flows coming from upstream, it’s expected that conditions will remain “touch and go” for the next 72 hours – and possibly up to a week.

Anyone who is in the area must be careful when traveling, recreating or working near these low-lying areas next to the river.

Courtesy Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office