The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1920-03-19
POWDER RIVER TAKES THE BIT WHEN ICE BREAKS. OVERLOOKING CHANNELS
TORRENT Of WATER N BIG POWDER AND TRIBUTARIES AS
RESULT Of MELTING ICE MO,sN0W- ROAD
C0NO| O|TOT MM0RAllfO
Powder River. Let 'er buck,

Powder River. Let 'er buck,
With low murmering yon in the
distance and gradually gaining vol
time as if wild ocean waves we're
dashing against unbreakable cliffs
along shaggy beach. came the warn
ing about 10 o'clock last Saturday
morning that old Powder river had
broken its leashes and was coming,
heralded by the continuous and
ewe-inspiring, creaking and moan.
ing noises OF ice breaking up.
The time Of the year had advanced
when the phlegmatic stream was sud
denly changed from its sluggishness
tatO roaring torrent defying any
opposing force in it's path. intent
upon only one thing destruction to
any obstacle. That was old Powder
and she was bucking right.
Warm weather had thrown water
jltc TIL entire course of the river,
extending back over 200 miles to it's
source in Wyoming and she was
rarin' to go-to live UP to her repu-
tation: "A mile wide. three feet
deep and hell only knows where she
goes
Like a cayalcade ca other process
sion of imposing array here came the
vanguard preceded by slight Use
In the channel as ii lGushing up bit
to welcome the advance. Giant
tiocks of ice crystals brilliant with
the suns rays as ii armored with
-teel, r.sins obloags 80 height
cf 20 feet. would take a commanding
position. leading the miles OF strug-
cling followers and then suddenly
would crash back into oblivion. un-
dtrmined by some jealous rival.
And then several contenders would
lean to fame only to be relegated to
tho rear or perchanc suffer assassi-
nation by an unworthy subject. Al
ways were there aspirants to lead
the mighty hosts.
On came the ice hordes, their
forces decimated by interior disturb
snces but requirements quickly fill
ing up the gaps picked up from the
biways and swelling the channel un-
til the overflow extended to old beds
hong since discarded for easier
passage. So eager were the recruits
forthe fray that solid acre blocks OF
ice over a foot thick would move
INTO line whether opportunely or not,
propelled by some snbtelranean
force. Other great eSpanses OF ice
angered by neishhors overriding them
or still enjoying the winters sicSta
until aroused 10y the comMo1ion
would nose up through the dense
mass proclaiming freedom and then
topple over into the confusion.
WIKI loud acclaim the vanguard OF
the procession had passed 4 spec
tacle that deties adequate descrip-
tion.
Thus far the bridges at Moorhead
and Droadus We're the only impedi
ments and here the first conflicts
we're staged. Wave after wave from
the impetuous and irresistible iced
river advanced and wave after wave
they We're moved down. Protecting
ahe huge concrete piers were V
shaped devices cleaving in twain the
approaching miniature icebergs. The
bridges repulsed all advances agains,
their destruction. Failing in the
effort Powder adopted other tactics
which were effectual by placing the
bridges out of commission. Rein
,orcement from the rivers channels
,ad been rushed to the right and
ief, wings and surrounded man.
Aui.ding, cutting of all avenue ot
escape and probably establishing 8
record for high water at this season
Of the year.
Old Powder was loose and hat
taken the bit in her teeth. She was
not to be bridged. The water was
rolled. heavy with silt. mostly mut
and sand. The onslaught continued
until the full volume of water reach
ed height of 20 feet above the nor
NAL water mark. Telephone warn
ings had been flashed ahead so tina
AL precautions had been taken I,
remove livestock from bottom lands