Missouri River river run
Missouri River
The Whitewater River Run on the Missouri River in Montana is a popular destination for kayakers and rafters alike. The ideal streamflow range for this stretch of the river is between 3,000 and 20,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The class rating for this run ranges from Class II to Class III, making it a moderate challenge for experienced paddlers. The segment mileage for this run is approximately 16 miles long, starting at the town of Wolf Creek and ending at the Hardy Creek Boat Ramp.
The specific rapids and obstacles on this run include the House Rock Rapid, Pine Creek Rapid, and the Bonecrusher Rapid. House Rock Rapid is a Class III rapid that can be tricky to navigate due to the large boulder in the middle of the channel. Pine Creek Rapid is a Class II-III rapid that requires precise maneuvering through a series of waves and rocks. The Bonecrusher Rapid is a Class III rapid that features a large rock in the middle of the channel, creating a challenging obstacle.
Specific regulations for this area include a permit requirement for commercial outfitters, as well as restrictions on the use of glass containers and alcohol. Additionally, all boaters are required to have personal flotation devices (PFDs) on board and wear them at all times while on the river. Overall, the Whitewater River Run on the Missouri River offers a fun and challenging experience for adventurous paddlers, with beautiful scenery and exciting rapids to navigate.
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 Missouri River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River Bl Hauser Lake Nr Helena Mt | 3,350 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Near Helena Mt | 24 cfs | → |
| Missouri River Bl Holter Dam Nr Wolf Cr Mt | 3,330 cfs | → |
| Prickly Pear Creek Near Clancy Mt | 36 cfs | → |
| Little Prickly Pear Cr At Wolf Cr Mt | 70 cfs | → |
| Tenmile Creek Near Rimini Mt | 16 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
- Hauser Dam Road Helena Valley Northeast
- White Sandy Boat Ramp
- Cross Drive Helena Valley Northeast
- York Road Lewis And Clark County
- Smith Road Helena Valley Northeast
- Devils Elbow Boat Ramp
Other river runs
- Town Of Nelson, Sec. 12, T12n, R2w To Missouri River, Sec. 19, T12n, R2w
- Hauser Dam, Sec. 29, T12n, R2w To Cochran Gulch, Sec. 18, T12n, R2w
- Falls, Sec. 25, T14n, R4e To Smith River, Sec. 25, T14n, R3e
Campgrounds
- White Sandy
- Black Sandy State Park
- White Sandy Campground
- Devils Elbow Campground
- Spokane Bay
- Beartooth Landing
Fishing spots
- Missouri River Fishing Access Site
- Prickly Pear Creek
- Hauser Reservoir
- Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir
- Silver Creek
- Spring Meadow Lake
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 Missouri 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 Missouri River
What's the optimal flow for Missouri 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 Missouri River.