Floodwaters slow to recede around Burns, more flooding possible

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Devastating flooding remains a threat around Burns in Harney County as snowmelt continues.

Flood improvements come to the Burns area on Sunday as the National Weather Service puts an end to the more than week-long "Flood Warning." The Silvies River has already started to recede with river levels returning to the "Action" flooding phase.

The higher snowpack around the high terrain north of Burns is helping to swell the Silvies River as it heads toward Malheur Lake in Harney County. Warmer spring temperatures have helped speed up the melting process and will likely push the river back to the "minor flood" stage by the weekend. So, improvements have started to take shape, but more flooding is still possible this spring.