UPDATE: Flood Watch Issued for Little Snake River in Southwest Carbon County

UPDATE:

Due to snowmelt and the possibility of heavy rain later this week, a Flood Watch has been issued for the Little Snake River in southwest Carbon County.

The watch is in effect from Wednesday morning through late Friday night and includes the towns of Baggs and Dixon.

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne says there's a possibility the watch could be upgraded to a warning, and those living in flood-prone areas should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Cheyenne WY
1121 AM MDT Mon May 1 2023

...The following watch is for the Little Snake River Basin in Carbon
County...

WYZ111-021200-
/O.NEW.KCYS.FA.A.0001.230503T1200Z-230506T1200Z/
/00000.0.RS.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Southwest Carbon County-
Including the cities of Baggs
1121 AM MDT Mon May 1 2023

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY
NIGHT...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt is possible.

* WHERE...A portion of south central Wyoming, including the
  following area, Southwest Carbon County.

* WHEN...From Wednesday morning through late Friday night.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
  creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
  Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Area creeks and
  streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
  - Warming temperatures will lead to increasing snow melt. Heavy
    rainfall also possible as early as Wednesday afternoon that
    will continue into Thursday. The Little Snake River at Dixon
    is already running at or near bankfull at this time.
  - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared
to take action should flooding develop.

Due to ongoing very warm temperatures and possible rainfall later this week leading to rapid snowmelt, a Flood Watch has been issued for the Little Snake River in southwest Carbon County from Wednesday through Saturday. This includes the cities of Baggs and Dixon. Monitor forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings in the coming days. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Spring runoff season is here and the National Weather Service in Cheyenne is reminding people to use caution near flowing water.

The NWS says streams and rivers next to the Snowy and Sierra Madre ranges continue to run high, and the Little Snake River in southwest Carbon County near Baggs has reached action stage.

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As of 4:15 a.m. on Monday, May 1, the Little Snake River at Baggs was at 6.59 feet. Action stage is 6.5 feet and flood stage is 7.5 feet.

The NWS says mitigation steps may need to be taken in preparation for possible flooding.

6 AM May 1st - With the return of warmer temperatures and active mountain snowmelt, streams and rivers adjacent to the Snowy and Sierra Madre Ranges continue to run high. The Little Snake River in southwest Carbon County near Baggs has currently reached Action Stage. Use caution near swollen river banks.