Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor is flowing at 1,050 cfs with a gage height of 5.69 ft, receding 5% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12350250, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor at a glance
How Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor is flowing at 1,050 cfs, with the water sitting 5.69 ft at the gage. Flow is down 5% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #12350250 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,672 cfs, peaking at 2,520 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Nr Victor Mt is expected to recede from today's 1050 cfs, toward roughly 703 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 262-1887 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
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.
Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor
The flow of the river is primarily influenced by snowmelt and rainfall, with potential tributaries being the West Fork of the Bitterroot and the East Fork of the Bitterroot. There are no major dams on the river. During the spring, the river experiences high flows due to snowmelt, while summer flows are generally lower. Interesting facts about the hydrology of the river include the presence of riparian vegetation that helps stabilize banks and the potential for flash floods during heavy rain events.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Nr Victor Mt | 1,050 cfs |
| Bitterroot River Near Missoula Mt | 2,010 cfs |
| Rock Creek Near Clinton Mt | 625 cfs |
| Clark Fork Below Missoula Mt | 4,790 cfs |
| Clark Fork At Turah Bridge Nr Bonner Mt | 1,260 cfs |
| Clark Fork Above Missoula Mt | 2,790 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor. 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 |
|---|---|
| Nohrsc Skalkaho Summit | 0 in |
| Skalkaho Summit | 0 in |
| Daly Creek | 0 in |
| Daly Creek | 0 in |
| Hamilton 9.2 Ssw | 0 in |
| Savage Pass | 1 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor.
Boat launches
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River runs
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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 Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor
Where does the streamflow data for Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12350250. 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 Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor 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 Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Near Victor report
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