Bighorn River Near St. Xavier flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Bighorn River Near St. Xavier is flowing at 1,470 cfs with a gage height of 59.45 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06287000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Bighorn River Near St. Xavier at a glance
How Bighorn River Near St. Xavier is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Bighorn River Near St. Xavier is flowing at 1,470 cfs, with the water sitting 59.45 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #06287000 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,514 cfs, peaking at 1,600 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Bighorn River Near St. Xavier is expected to hold near today's 1520 cfs, toward roughly 1506 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 770-2944 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Montana flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
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.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Bighorn River Near St. Xavier
Xavier, MT stream gauge is a popular destination for fly fishing enthusiasts due to its consistent water flow provided by the Yellowtail Dam. The river is fed by various tributaries, including the Little Bighorn River and the Pryor Creek. In the summer months, water levels tend to be lower and warmer, while winter brings higher flows and colder temperatures. The hydrology of the Bighorn River has been the subject of several studies due to its importance as a source of water for irrigation and its impact on local ecosystems. Interesting facts about the river include its designation as a blue ribbon trout stream and its historical significance as a hunting ground for Native American tribes.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Bighorn River Near St. Xavier's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Bighorn River Near St. Xavier | 1,470 cfs |
| Little Bighorn River At State Line Nr Wyola Mt | 101 cfs |
| West Pass Creek Near Parkman | 10 cfs |
| East Pass Creek Near Dayton | 12 cfs |
| Little Bighorn River Near Hardin Mt | 65 cfs |
| Pryor Creek Nr Huntley Mt | 21 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Bighorn River Near St. Xavier. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Lodge Grass W | 0 in |
| Mt Mesonet Crow Agency | 0 in |
| Hardin | 0 in |
| Hardin 0.6 Ene | 0 in |
| Bald Mtn. | 1 in |
| Nohrsc Bald Mountain Snotel | — |
River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Bighorn River Near St. Xavier in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Bighorn River Near St. Xavier crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Bighorn River Near St. Xavier
Where does the streamflow data for Bighorn River Near St. Xavier come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06287000. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Bighorn River Near St. Xavier rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Bighorn River Near St. Xavier report
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