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FGUS73 KBIS 062101

ESFBIS

NDC015-059-081800-



Hydrologic Outlook

National Weather Service Bismarck ND

301 PM CST Wed Mar 6 2024



...MISSOURI RIVER IS ONCE AGAIN MAKING ICE...



Given the recent cold weather, the Missouri River has again been 

forming ice below Garrison Dam. Thus far, ice has filled the 

recently cleared portion of the Missouri River from roughly Apple 

Creek Wildlife Management Area to about three-fourths of a mile 

upstream of where 12th street southeast turns into Oahe Bend. This 

would roughly be equal to a little less than five miles of new ice 

in the river.



The upstream edge of immobile ice as of Wednesday morning was 

roughly three and a half miles downstream of Fort Abraham Lincoln 

and Fox Island. While the future rate of ice formation is difficult 

to predict, forecast overnight lows in the single digits for both 

Thursday and Friday mornings will continue to encourage ice 

formation. It should be expected that the upstream edge of 

continuous ice on the river will migrate upstream. Based on how much 

ice has already been put in place, it is possible that the upstream 

edge of continuous ice will reach the Fox Island area before warmer 

weather enters the area on Friday. By late Saturday, warmer weather 

will once again reverse this process and start removing ice.



Importantly, pre-ice river levels were about 3.5 feet below that 

observed prior to last week's ice jam due to already planned lower 

releases out of Garrison Dam. This suggests that a return to water 

levels experienced in late February is not likely.



$$



Schlag