Montana
Spring runoff on Montana rivers poses serious safety risks
BOZEMAN — Montana’s rivers are still running high and cold this spring — and while that’s good news for fish, it poses serious risks for recreators.
Even with a lighter-than-average snowpack, river conditions across the state remain hazardous. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is urging anyone planning to get on the water to prepare carefully, know current conditions, and understand every hazard along the full length of their route before launching.
WATCH: Montana’s rivers are still running high and cold this spring — even with lighter snowpack. Before you hit the water, FWP says preparation could save your life
Spring runoff on Montana rivers poses serious safety risks
Morgan Jacobsen of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks pointed to specific locations as examples of the dangers that can catch people off guard.
“The Highway 89 Bridge has some, you know, particular dangers at that site with the pylons of the bridge, and that’s caused problems for people before, so knowing your trip and knowing what hazards exist as best you can, doing that research is always a good idea,” Jacobsen said.
Spring runoff serves an important ecological function for Montana’s fisheries, acting as a kind of seasonal reset for rivers and streams.
“Flooding plays an important ecological function. It washes out sediment and provides new, clean gravels that are important for fish spawning. Creates new habitat for a variety of species, and it’s a good thing, but when it comes to recreation, it’s something you’ve got to be careful with,” Jacobsen said.
FWP is not discouraging people from getting on the water, but the agency is emphasizing that safety planning must come first — especially during high water.
“We’re not saying people can’t come on the water by any means, and you know, especially in high flooding conditions, and because of those dangers, it’s not recommended, but if you are going to recreate, you know, you’re doing it at your own risk. Make sure that you take precautions so that you can make it home safely,” Jacobsen said.
Anyone heading out on Montana’s rivers this spring should check current conditions, know their route, carry and wear a personal flotation device, and be prepared for water that was snow just minutes before entering the river.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Alani Bankhead, running for the U.S. Senate, launched an attack Monday on the University of Montana campus against independent candidate Seth Bodnar, its former president.
Bankhead, who won the Democratic nomination for Senate on June 2, argued Bodnar did not have the capacity to lead and still “deflects” responsibility for gender discrimination allegations in a lawsuit settled in 2024.
Bankhead made her arguments at a campaign event on the heels of a primary win many considered a surprise. Her remarks drew a small crowd to campus and a handful of media.
Behind her, supporters held signs with allegations from the lawsuit.
“Under President Bodnar’s leadership and in violation of UM’s policies and federal law, women’s choices and actions were unreasonably contradicted and questioned,” said one.
In her speech, Bankhead invoked Jeannette Rankin, a Montanan who in 1916 was the first woman elected to Congress.
“Jeannette wouldn’t stand for anyone who discriminates to be in a leadership position,” Bankhead said.
The gender discrimination lawsuit was filed in 2021 against the Montana University System and UM, and it resulted in a $350,000 settlement.
Bodnar led UM for eight years until stepping down this year to run for office. His campaign said he made equity a priority at UM and promoted women.
Bankhead is a 21-year military veteran and graduate of Air War College of the U.S. Air Force.
Bankhead said Rankin noted she “would be nastier” if she had her life to live over, and “in Jeannette’s honor, I’m about to get nasty.”
She repeated allegations in the lawsuit that Bodnar told a UM employee “her weight prevented her from being the face of the University of Montana” and that one of the 18 plaintiffs in the lawsuit “was forced to work with her stalker.”
In a response at the time, UM described the allegations in the lawsuit as “inflammatory,” “argumentative assertions,” and “not statements of fact.”
The lawsuit was settled before the allegations were substantiated or dismissed by the court.
In a statement Monday, Bodnar’s campaign said that he elevated women at the flagship; when he arrived on campus, just one academic dean was a woman, but seven of 13 were women when he left.
Bankhead, fueled by outside money including more than $2.5 million by the Progressive Vet Political Action Committee, surprised many Montanans by winning the Democratic nomination in the primary.
Monday, the same day Bankhead leveled her criticisms, Bodnar announced a slate of endorsements across the political spectrum, including from former Gov. Marc Racicot, a Republican, to former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat.
Bodnar has heavily outraised his opponents.
But Sabato’s Crystal Ball projects the U.S. Senate race in Montana is likely to go to the Republican, Kurt Alme, former U.S. Attorney for Montana and recruit of outgoing U.S. Sen. Steve Daines.
Bankhead pointed to Bodnar’s experience in the U.S. military and as a West Point graduate as reason he should know it’s important as a leader to be accountable and admit mistakes to build trust and credibility.
“This is not about blame,” Bankhead said. “It’s about maintaining trust, demonstrating moral courage, and ensuring that leaders are seen as responsible stewards of their units and their missions.”
One person asked Bankhead how she planned to win having raised just $23,000 in her campaign given the millions going to her opponents.
Bankhead said critics dismissed her in the primary, but she won anyway. She also said Montanans don’t want politicians who are bought and paid for.
Bankhead has repeatedly been asked if she will step down to clear the way for Bodnar, who could appeal to some Republican voters in a red state. She’s vowed to stay in the race.
Monday, Bankhead said Montana Democratic Party bylaws state the party must have a candidate on the ballot, so Bodnar should drop out as the independent.
“If dropping out was the right move to pave the way for a better candidate, I would absolutely do it because the stakes are so high,” Bankhead said. “But Seth Bodnar is absolutely the last person on the face of this earth I would ever drop out of this race for.”
KALISPELL – A 28-year-old Helena man was killed after being struck by a pickup truck while walking on U.S. Highway 2 near Kalispell.
The Montana Highway Patrol reports the incident happened Saturday, just before 3 a.m. at mile marker 117.
The man, whose name was not released, was struck while walking on a section of the highway that has no shoulders and was wearing all dark clothing, the patrol report states.
The pickup truck, driven by an 18-year-old woman from Eureka, was westbound on the highway when the driver activated the high beams, illuminating the pedestrian in the lane.
The truck hit the pedestrian on the front driver’s side bumper.
The driver of the truck stopped to wait for emergency responders, the patrol report states.
All four occupants of the truck were wearing seat belts and escaped injury, although the report indicates that the driver was taken to a hospital in Kalispell.
The passengers in the truck included a 16-year-old girl from Kalispell, a 20-year-old man also from Kalispell, and a 17-year-old girl whose residence was unknown, according to the patrol report.
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