Heavy rains, plugged culvert closes Sun Road

Heavy rains in Glacier National Park have forced the closure of the Going-to-the-Sun Road on the west side at the foot of Lake McDonald.

Water and debris have washed over the highway where a culvert occasionally plugs up during high water about midway between the Apgar Campground and Lake McDonald Lodge.

West Glacier has seen 2.5 inches of rain from March 14 through March 15, as it rained even at higher elevations through most of the weekend.

The Montana Department of Transportation reported water running over U.S.  2 at several locations between West Glacier and Essex. Mud slides were also reported, but the slides were not stopping traffic as of Monday morning.

The National Weather Service issued a warning for small stream flooding in Flathead and Lincoln counties. Streams in Glacier Park were running very high and muddy, as the rain was coupled with snowmelt. Visitors are urged to use extreme caution near any of the Park’s waterways at this time.