WATER DATA |
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nd/nwis/rt
To find the real time flow data on the Little Missouri River, log on to the listed site, hold your mouse pointer over your chosen location, wait a second, and the data will appear. If you choose Marmarth, then Medora, then Watford City, you will know whether the river is rising or falling. Remember the river flows from Marmarth towards Watford, so if the river is at 1 foot at Marmarth, 2 feet at Medora, and 3 feet at Watford, it is falling, and if reversed is going to rise. As we receive more input from users we will let you know how that data translates into your ability to cross both at Sully and near Elkhorn. A group of us did cross on horseback, at Sully, when the river was at 4.17 feet, and I would not recommend it. I believe that any reading over 3 feet requires a very experienced horse and rider. There are developing sink holes and a very strong current carrying objects at great speed towards you that increase the hazard. I believe that bikers or hiker would not be able to cross at anywhere near that depth, but will update as users help us correlate the flow data with actual crossing experiences.
WEATHER DATA |
NDAWN weather sites. Provides weather data from automated weather stations located in nearby towns. http://ndawn.ndsu.nodak.edu/daily-table-form.html
Provides historic weather data and is updated daily. Real time information is available by phone for the following locations. Though these automated weather sites are not on the trail they can provide an idea as to weather conditions in the immediate area.
Beach – 701-872-3016
Bowman – 701-523-3380
Dickinson – 701-483-2097
Sidney – 406-433-6657
Watford City – 701-842-4031
Weather data is provided in the following order; rainfall since midnight, yesterday’s rainfall, current air temperature, minimum air temperature since midnight, maximum air temperature since midnight, wind direction, wind speed, relative humidity, dew point, and bare soil temperature. The caller can terminate the call at any time after the star (*) key is pressed.
Webcam at Painted Canyon, Roosevelt National Park - http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/WebCams/parks/throcam/throcam.cfm
View of the badlands at Painted Canyon updated every 15 minutes. Current weather conditions as well as air quality measurements are listed. This webcam is about 10 miles east of the Maah Daah Hey trail.