County looks for help to curtail Beaver Creek floods

Three times in recent years floods along Beaver Creek have caused substantial damage.

Hill County officials are trying to complete a study to find out what can be done to stop the floods.

County Commissioner Mark Peterson said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has spent more that $1.5 million to restore the areas around the creek, but he said the federal government is not going to continue to fund flood relief unless the county does something to stop the flooding.

So, Peterson was in Helena Tuesday, trying to secure $125,000 in state funds to conduct a study.

The county submitted an application, and it was ranked 101 on the list of state priority projects.

The problem is the top 100 are scheduled to be funded.

He said the county is looking at three particular areas where floods have been the most severe:

• On Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation

• Within Beaver Creek Park

• Along the area between highways 2 and 87

In the Rocky Boy area, he said, trees were clear cut in an effort to eradicate a beetle infestation, he said.

But in cutting down the trees, they increased the chance of flooding, he said.

He said he believes there are steps that can be taken further downstream that would help reduce the chance of flooding.

Peterson said he will be visiting lawmakers and other state officials in hopes of securing the money.

The commissioner spoke to community representatives through the weekly television conversation with local lawmakers sponsored by the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce and Havre Public Schools.