DAILY FORECAST: Sunny temperatures, and dam releases

IDAHO FALLS — Flooding continues along the Portneuf River and Bear River for Friday, March 24.

The Bear River in Bear Lake County has risen to above flood stage, measuring at 8.6 feet. The rising water, caused by snowmelt and runoff, has necessitated dam releases at Soda Springs and Grace. As a result, minor flooding along streams and across fields and low lying areas is expected along the Bear River from west of Niter, to Thatcher, to Riverdale and Preston, and southward to the Idaho/Utah border.

Additionally, the high flows will impact the Pegram and Dingle area. Extensive flooding of lowlands and pasture along the river is expected by Saturday. Water around one foot deep will cover a portion of Pegram Road just north of Pegram. Driveway access will be cut off to some low=lying homes next to the river near Dingle.

Roads near Pegram have been damaged by flowing water. Water also is expected to impact U.S. Highway 26, northeast of Carey.

The Portneuf River in Pocatello is measuring 9.8 feet and minor flooding is occurring along its banks. The river is expected to rise to 10.1 feet by Sunday night, causing moderate to significant flooding of agricultural land in the Inkom and Blackrock area. Lowland flooding also will occur along sections of the river in Pocatello from the Portneuf Gap to the Cheyenne Avenue Bridge and downstream of the concrete channel beginning at Sacajawea Park.

Ditches, streams and creeks are full or nearly full in Oneida, Blaine, Bingham, Bear Lake, Caribou and Minidoka counties.

There is moderate flooding of rural roads and basements in the following communities: Montpelier, Saint Charles, Dingle, Paris, Bloomington, Bern, Ovid, Border Summit, Pegram, Carey, Picabo, Gannett, Fish Haven, Aberdeen, Springfield, Moreland, Pingree, Taber and Sterling.

The National Weather Service says snowmelt is causing flooding on U.S. Route 191 north of Malad between Devils Creek Reservoir and Power House Road. Water has also been reported on State Highway 36 between Interstate 15 and Deep Creek Reservoir.

Flooded fields are being reported in the following counties: Caribou, Bear Lake, Bingham, Jefferson and Oneida.

The following cities also remain under a flood watch until Thursday: Burley, Rupert, Heyburn, Stanley, Clayton, St. Anthony, Ashton, Island Park, Driggs, Victor, Malad City, Oakley, Rockland, Henry, Soda Springs, Downey, Lava Hot Springs, Preston, Montpelier, Hailey, Ketchum, Bellevue, Arco, Challis and Mackay.

No major road closures are being reported as of 8 a.m. Friday.

SEE YOUR COMPLETE EASTIDAHONEWS.COM 10-DAY FORECAST HERE

DAILY FORECAST:

Idaho Falls, Rigby, Rexburg

The Upper Snake River Plain will be sunny today with highs of 48 to 55 degrees and south winds of 10 to 20 mph. There is a 70 percent chance of rain at night with lows of 33 to 41 degrees and continued wind.

Pocatello and Blackfoot

The Lower Snake River Plain will be sunny today with highs of 48 to 58 degrees and south winds of 10 to 20 mph. At night there is a 70 percent chance of rain with lows of 35 to 42 degrees and continued wind.

St. Anthony, Ashton, Island Park, Driggs and Victor

The Upper Valley and Teton Valley will be sunny today with highs of 44 to 52 degrees. There is a chance of rain and snow at night with up to 3 inches of snow predicted above 6,300 feet. Lows of 31 to 38 degrees are expected.

Arco, Challis, and Mackay

The Lost River area will be mostly sun today with a slight chance of snow in the afternoon. It’ll be breezy with highs of 44 to 54 degrees. Nighttime will be mostly cloudy with a chance for rain and snow. Up to 3 inches of snow could fall with lows of 29 to 36 degrees.

Henry, Soda Springs, Downey, and Lava Hot Springs

The Caribou Highlands will be sunny today with highs of 44 to 54 degrees. During the night there will be a chance of rain and snow with up to 2 inches possible above 6,400 feet. Lows of 31 to 38 degrees are expected.

SEE THE NWS WEATHER MAP HERE