Volunteers Sought for Sandbagging

Sandbagging operations will continue this weekend on the South Fork, in anticipation of a larger than usual spring runoff.

Park County Homeland Security Coordinator Mart Knapp led 9 volunteers last weekend on the North Fork, filling over 500 sandbags in less than an hour and a half. He’s hoping for more participation on the South Fork tomorrow, when they gather at the Ishawooa trailhead at 2 p.m.

Knapp adds that while 500 sandbags may not seem like a lot for the amount of water that could come down, it’s a start.

Knapp reported that the recent cooler weather has helped the runoff situation momentarily, because if rain or warm weather occurs in the higher elevations, the snow will melt more quickly. That will cause a rapid rise in water levels. On the other hand, he says that if the weather warms up more gradually, the runoff will occur in a more manageable fashion, allowing emergency crews to stay ahead of the potential flooding.

-Photo of sandbagging precautions in Greybull along Bighorn River