Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia is flowing at 785 cfs with a gage height of 5.43 ft, receding 19% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12355000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia at a glance
How Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia is flowing at 785 cfs, with the water sitting 5.43 ft at the gage. Flow is down 19% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #12355000 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,286 cfs, peaking at 1,950 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia is expected to recede from today's 785 cfs, toward roughly 649 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 340-1236 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.
Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia
The river provides water for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and recreational activities. It is fed by several smaller tributaries, including the North Fork Flathead River and the Middle Fork Flathead River. The river flow is heavily influenced by seasonal trends, with peak flows occurring in May and June due to snowmelt. The river is also impacted by several dams, including the Hungry Horse Dam and the Kerr Dam. One interesting fact about the Flathead River is that it is home to several species of fish, including the Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout, and Mountain Whitefish.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia | 785 cfs |
| Tobacco River Near Eureka Mt | 388 cfs |
| N F Flathead River Nr Columbia Falls Mt | 3,400 cfs |
| Swiftcurrent Cr Ab Swiftcurrent Lk At Many Glacier | 113 cfs |
| Swiftcurrent Creek At Many Glacier Mt | 223 cfs |
| Middle Fork Flathead River Nr West Glacier Mt | 3,730 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia. 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 |
|---|---|
| Grave Creek | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Grave Creek | 0 in |
| Link Mountain | 0 in |
| Stahl Peak | 18 in |
| Stahl Peak | 171 in |
| 14a17 - Stryker Basin | 0 in |
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 Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia
Where does the streamflow data for Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12355000. 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 Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia 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.
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