This is How Quick a Flood Can Happen in Montana

The weather in Montana can be beautiful when you throw open the camper door first thing in the morning and by the time the coffee is brewed and you step back out, bam! There are snowflakes and you didn't bring a shovel.

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We all know how quickly the weather can change in our state. But this one had an element of surprise to it for some campers in Lewis and Clark County with our recent rains.

Riverside Campground Now Closed Near Canyon Ferry in Montana

In a social media post, the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office announced that the area near the Riverside Campground has now been closed by the Bureau of Reclamation due to flash flooding within the area.

Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office via Facebook

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According to the release, there was nearly 3ft of water at the campground, making it difficult for campers to leave the area:

September 11, at approximately 6:16pm there was a flash flood in the area of Riverside Campground. Tri-Lakes Fire, York Fire, County Road and the Sheriff's Office responded to the area. At the time there was approximately three feet of water in parts of Riverside Campground. Campers were able to successfully evacuate the campground and BOR has temporarily closed Riverside Campground.

Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office via Facebook

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Other Areas Also Closed Due to Road Damage Near Campground

Travellers will also need to avoid parts of Jim Town Road between Riverside Campground and Ward Road that were also damaged from water runoff. Construction repair crews are currently onsite repairing those roadways.

Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office via Facebook

LOOK: Historic 2022 Flooding in Southern Montana Not Soon to Be Forgotten

Widespread flooding wiped out roads, bridges, buildings, and powerlines throughout riverside communities from Yellowstone National Park and Paradise Valley to Red Lodge. The Yellowstone River winding through Billings crested Tuesday, June 14, 2022. At 11:30 a.m. the National Weather Service in Billings reported the river rose above flood stage and was forecasted to hit 14.7 feet, nearly hitting the 15-foot record set in 1997.

Gallery Credit: Rachel Helgeson

Yellowstone National Park Rebuilds After Historic Flooding

After catastrophic flooding damaged portions of Yellowstone National Park in June of 2022, major reconstruction was necessary to make the park passable again. The following are photos of the improvement projects at Old Gardiner Road and the Northeast Entrance Road. All photos are courtesy of the National Park Service, photographer Jacob W. Frank.