Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister flow report

Montana, USA USGS #06040800 ↗

As of July 12, 2026, Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister is flowing at 244 cfs with a gage height of 3.88 ft, rising 6% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06040800, refreshed throughout the day.

⚠ Heat Advisory · Heat Advisory issued July 12 at 8:17AM MDT until July 13 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Stale data This gauge hasn’t reported in days (last reading unknown). The readings below may not reflect current conditions.
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Right now · latest observation
Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister
USGS gauge #06040800
244 cfs streamflow
Latest reading from this gauge.
Gage height
3.88ft
Water temp
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% of median
Since yesterday
↑ 6%
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Conditions summary

Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister at a glance

How Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.

Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister is flowing at 244 cfs, with the water sitting 3.88 ft at the gage. Flow is up 6% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.

This is USGS gauge #06040800 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 167 cfs, peaking at 244 cfs.

Over the next 5 days, Madison River Ab Powerplant Nr Mcallister Mt is expected to hold near today's 244 cfs, toward roughly 221 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 70-697 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.

Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister on the map Open map →
Site IDUSGS 06040800
Last updated2026-07-12
Gage height, ft3.88 ft
Streamflow, ft³/s244.0 ft3/s
Max recorded6,580 cfs
Streamflow outlook

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.

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Historical context

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.

Detailed forecast

Weather Forecast

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day forecast

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.

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About this location

Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister

The primary constituents of this flow are snowmelt and precipitation. The powerplant is located on the Madison River, which runs through Yellowstone National Park and is fed by several tributaries, including the Firehole, Gibbon, and Nez Perce creeks. Seasonally, the flow is highest in the spring due to snowmelt and can vary greatly depending on precipitation levels. Interestingly, the Madison River is known for its world-class fly fishing and is a popular destination for anglers.

Regional streamflow

Nearby streamflow levels

Cross-check Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.

Regional snowpack

Nearby snowpack data

Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.

SNOTEL stationSnowpack
Ennis 0 in
Lower Twin 0 in
Nohrsc Lower Twin
Nohrsc Albro Lake
Albro Lake 0 in
Nohrsc Lone Mountain
Nearby recreation

Plan a trip

Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister.

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 Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister in the Snoflo app

Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.

FAQ

About Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister

Where does the streamflow data for Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister come from?

Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06040800. 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 Madison River Above Powerplant Near Mcallister 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.