Madison River river run
Madison River
One of the notable rapids on the Madison River is the "Kitchen Sink," located about 10 miles downstream from Ennis. This rapid is a class III and requires careful navigation through a series of boulders and drops. Other rapids to watch out for include "Brennan's Wave," "The Notch," and "Boat Eater."
To ensure safety and preserve the natural environment, specific regulations are in place for the Madison River. For example, all rafters must wear a personal flotation device and carry a whistle. Additionally, there are fishing restrictions in certain areas to protect the river's trout population.
Overall, the Madison River Whitewater River Run offers a thrilling experience for rafters and kayakers. However, it's important to be aware of the specific regulations and potential hazards before embarking on the journey.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Madison River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Madison River Bl Ennis Lake Nr Mcallister Mt | 1,380 cfs | → |
| Madison River Ab Powerplant Nr Mcallister Mt | 242 cfs | → |
| Willow Creek Near Harrison Mt | 10 cfs | → |
| Gallatin River Near Gallatin Gateway Mt | 2,030 cfs | → |
| Jefferson River Near Three Forks Mt | 2,640 cfs | → |
| Gallatin River At Logan Mt | 1,760 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Boat launches
- Canaday Boat Launch
- Warm Springs Day Use
- Mt 84 Gallatin County
- Montana Highway 84 Madison County
- Madison Road 18367, Gallatin County
- Power House Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Trapper Springs Rec Site
- Lee Metcalf Wilderness
- Harrison Lake Fas
- Spanish Creek Cabin
- Potosi Campground And Picnic Area
- Potosi
Fishing spots
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Madison River as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About Madison River
What's the optimal flow for Madison River?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Madison River.