Kootenai River Below Libby Dam Near Libby flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Kootenai River Below Libby Dam Near Libby is flowing at 8,980 cfs with a gage height of 19.83 ft. Source: USGS gauge #12301933, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Kootenai River Below Libby Dam Near Libby at a glance
How Kootenai River Below Libby Dam Near Libby is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Kootenai River Below Libby Dam Near Libby is flowing at 8,980 cfs, with the water sitting 19.83 ft at the gage.
This is USGS gauge #12301933 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 9,285 cfs, peaking at 9,980 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Kootenai River Bl Libby Dam Nr Libby Mt is expected to hold near today's 8980 cfs, toward roughly 8652 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 5149-14537 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.
Kootenai River Below Libby Dam Near Libby
The flow of the river is affected by snowmelt, precipitation, and dam operations. The Kootenai River is fed by several tributaries, including the Yaak River and the Fisher River. The Libby Dam, located upstream, controls the flow and maintains a stable level for hydropower and flood control. Seasonal trends show higher flows in the spring and lower flows in the winter. Interesting facts about the hydrology include the creation of a habitat for the endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon through dam operations and the occasional occurrence of ice jams during the winter.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Kootenai River Below Libby Dam Near Libby's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Kootenai River Bl Libby Dam Nr Libby Mt | 8,980 cfs |
| Fisher River Near Libby Mt | 127 cfs |
| Yaak River Near Troy Mt | 242 cfs |
| Tobacco River Near Eureka Mt | 388 cfs |
| Kootenai River At Leonia Id | 9,950 cfs |
| Clark Fork River Below Cabinet Gorge Dam Id | 13,000 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Kootenai River Below Libby Dam 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 |
| Hand Creek | — |
| Hand Creek | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Kootenai River Below Libby Dam 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 Kootenai River Below Libby Dam 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 Kootenai River Below Libby Dam Near Libby crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Kootenai River Below Libby Dam Near Libby
Where does the streamflow data for Kootenai River Below Libby Dam Near Libby come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12301933. 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 Kootenai River Below Libby Dam 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 Kootenai River Below Libby Dam Near Libby report
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