April sun raises Inland NW stream flows

The National Weather Service this afternoon is warning residents that smaller streams and rivers are on the rise in the region after warm weather has triggered a rush of snow melt. Rivers are expected to remain well below flood stage as they crest this week. The flows should slow as cooler weather arrives this week, forecasters said. They said people along rivers should be careful. The Coeur d’Alene River at Cataldo was at 38.5 feet on Wednesday and well below flood stage of 43 feet. It was near its expected crest. Elsewhere, the Kettle River near Ferry was at 13.8 feet and should rise nearly another foot by Friday morning, remaining below flood stage at 18.5 feet. The Entiat, Wenatchee, Okanogan, Stehekin and Methow rivers were also on the rise in Central Washington.