Fisher River Near Libby flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Fisher River Near Libby is flowing at 127 cfs with a gage height of 3.05 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12302055, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Fisher River Near Libby at a glance
How Fisher River Near Libby is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Fisher River Near Libby is flowing at 127 cfs, with the water sitting 3.05 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #12302055 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 144 cfs, peaking at 172 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Fisher River Near Libby Mt is expected to hold near today's 127 cfs, toward roughly 116 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 64-212 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.
Fisher River Near Libby
The main water contributors to the river are precipitation and snowmelt. There are no notable tributaries or dams that affect the flow of water in the river. The streamflow shows a seasonal trend, with the highest flow occurring in May and June due to snowmelt, and the lowest flow in September and October. The river is home to a variety of fish, including rainbow and brook trout. Interesting facts about the Fisher River include its location in the Kootenai National Forest and its designation as a wild and scenic river by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Fisher River Near Libby's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Fisher River Near Libby Mt | 127 cfs |
| Kootenai River Bl Libby Dam Nr Libby Mt | 8,980 cfs |
| Yaak River Near Troy Mt | 242 cfs |
| Kootenai River At Leonia Id | 9,950 cfs |
| Tobacco River Near Eureka Mt | 388 cfs |
| Clark Fork River Below Cabinet Gorge Dam Id | 13,000 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Fisher River Near Libby. 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 |
|---|---|
| Libby | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Banfield Mountain | 0 in |
| Banfield Mountain | 0 in |
| Poorman Creek | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Poorman Creek | 0 in |
| Hand Creek | — |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Fisher River Near Libby.
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 Fisher River Near Libby in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Fisher River Near Libby crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Fisher River Near Libby
Where does the streamflow data for Fisher River Near Libby come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12302055. 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 Fisher River Near Libby 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 Fisher River Near Libby report
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