Jefferson River Near Three Forks flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Jefferson River Near Three Forks is flowing at 1,200 cfs with a gage height of 3.31 ft, receding 9% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06036650, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Jefferson River Near Three Forks at a glance
How Jefferson River Near Three Forks is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Jefferson River Near Three Forks is flowing at 1,200 cfs, with the water sitting 3.31 ft at the gage. Flow is down 9% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #06036650 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,991 cfs, peaking at 3,240 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Jefferson River Near Three Forks Mt is expected to recede from today's 1330 cfs, toward roughly 964 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 399-2331 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.
Jefferson River Near Three Forks
It is fed by several smaller streams, including the Ruby River and the Beaverhead River. The river's flow is influenced by snowpack and precipitation levels, resulting in seasonal flow variations. The river's flow is also impacted by the construction of Hebgen Lake Dam and other irrigation diversions. Interestingly, the Jefferson River was named after Thomas Jefferson, who sent the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore the area in the early 1800s. Today, the river continues to be a popular destination for fishing, kayaking, and other recreational activities.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Jefferson River Near Three Forks's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Jefferson River Near Three Forks Mt | 1,200 cfs |
| Gallatin River At Logan Mt | 450 cfs |
| Willow Creek Near Harrison Mt | 14 cfs |
| Missouri River At Toston Mt | 3,810 cfs |
| Madison River Bl Ennis Lake Nr Mcallister Mt | 1,190 cfs |
| Madison River Ab Powerplant Nr Mcallister Mt | 242 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Jefferson River Near Three Forks. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bozeman Gallatin Field Airport | 0 in |
| Albro Lake | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Albro Lake | — |
| Mt Mesonet Bozeman | 0 in |
| Lower Twin | 0 in |
| Bozeman Montana State Univ | 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 Jefferson River Near Three Forks in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Jefferson River Near Three Forks crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Jefferson River Near Three Forks
Where does the streamflow data for Jefferson River Near Three Forks come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06036650. 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 Jefferson River Near Three Forks 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 Jefferson River Near Three Forks report
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