Stillwater County MSU Extension Responds to Historic Flooding

Published: 2022
By Lee Schmelzer

In the early morning hours of June 13, the creeks and streams draining the Beartooth Mountains rose dramatically to flows of 23,400 cubic feet per second, nearly doubling the previous record high, and equaling two and a half times flood stage. Before the water receded, 11 local homes were destroyed, six were unreachable, and more than 80 were damaged. Three county and state bridges and eight private bridges were washed out. Numerous private and public roads were washed out. Some ranchers were especially hard hit and lost access to their fields and ranches. Working directly with the Stillwater County Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Incident Management Team, Stillwater County MSU Extension mobilized resources and began to pull information from MSU, state, and federal disaster recovery publications to quickly create a dedicated website and post relevant information to social media platforms. One community leader relayed that MSU Extension’s website was the best place to find helpful recovery information. DES referred all agriculture questions to Stillwater County MSU Extension. An immediate unmet need was to help ensure safe drinking water for all residents in flood areas, especially while residents were experiencing a very trying, stressful, and costly time. With help from the MSU Extension Water Quality Specialist and University Administration, Stillwater County MSU Extension secured an EPA-approved portable water quality testing lab. Within 10 days of the flood, Stillwater County residents had access to free bacteria water testing twice a week and could receive results within 24 hours. Between June 23 and the end of September, 195 water sample tests were completed. At least 82 wells tested had flood water flowing over the top of the wellhead and 33 more wells had water flowing around the wellhead. Of the 195 water samples, 62 showed the presence of Total Coliform Bacteria and of those, 40 samples tested positive for E.coli. All landowners were sent written and video instructions for shock chlorination treatment. Subsequently, 35 wells were retested to ensure they were no longer contaminated. Of those wells that were difficult to clear (i.e. shallow wells and older hand-dug wells), several necessitated drilling new wells or connecting to other safe drinking water sources on the property. Information on properly abandoning wells was provided when needed. This service spared residents an estimated $16,600 in testing costs county-wide.