Watch Montana Kids Making the Best Out of Flooding with Kayaks
We all know how the saying goes. "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." Currently, in Montana, it is more like "when flood waters turn your yard into a lake, bust out the kayaks."
Flood waters continue to soak much of Montana. The devastation from the flood waters in and around Yellowstone Park is making national news. The town of Red Lodge had a raging river flowing right through the heart of town. Further downstream, places like Billings are seeing water levels rise to uncomfortable levels. With warmer temperatures in the forecast, it is only going to make things worse. As snowpack levels will quickly melt, beating even more watershed.
Meanwhile, in the Bitterroot Valley, the Bitterroot River is swelling to high levels on the banks. Current water levels on much of the river are near the official flood stage. Runoff is only going to add to the water level. Places like Darby are seeing water over the banks.
Video footage of kids playing in their flooded yard was recently posted online. The video shows kids in Darby kayaking in their front yard after flood waters swelled.
Meanwhile, other kayaker footage surfaced online recently, showing some insane thrill-seekers taking advantage of the raging flood waters. In a far more dangerous kayaking experience, watch footage of 3 crazy kayakers navigating floodwaters along that Gallatin River. Water levels are traveling as fast as 19,000 CFS. A normal "fast" speed is 7,000 CFS. To say this kayaking stunt is deadly is a complete understatement. Officials are asking citizens to stay away from flood waters--please do not try this.