Missouri River At Cascade flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Missouri River At Cascade is flowing at 3,900 cfs with a gage height of 6.83 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06074000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Missouri River At Cascade at a glance
How Missouri River At Cascade is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Missouri River At Cascade is flowing at 3,900 cfs, with the water sitting 6.83 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #06074000 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 4,095 cfs, peaking at 4,410 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Missouri River At Cascade Mt is expected to hold near today's 3920 cfs, toward roughly 3821 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 3060-4772 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.
Missouri River At Cascade
The river is fed by various tributaries such as the Sun River and Dearborn River, and is regulated by several dams including the Holter Dam. Seasonal trends in flow are influenced by snowmelt and precipitation, with high flows in spring and early summer. Interestingly, the Missouri River at Cascade MT is known for its significant hydroelectric power production, with the Holter Dam generating up to 185 megawatts of electricity. Overall, the site serves as an important resource for understanding and managing the hydrology of the Missouri River basin.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Missouri River At Cascade's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Missouri River At Cascade Mt | 3,900 cfs |
| Smith River Near Eden Mt | 262 cfs |
| Missouri River Near Ulm Mt | 3,690 cfs |
| Dearborn River Near Craig Mt | 139 cfs |
| Sun River At Simms Mt | 127 cfs |
| Sun River Near Vaughn Mt | 515 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Missouri River At Cascade. 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 |
|---|---|
| Sun River Se | 0 in |
| Great Falls Airport | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Fairfield 6.0 Ese | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Fairfield 5.6 Ne | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Fairfield 5.0 Nne | 0 in |
| Mt Mesonet Benton Lake | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Missouri River At Cascade.
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 Missouri River At Cascade in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Missouri River At Cascade crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Missouri River At Cascade
Where does the streamflow data for Missouri River At Cascade come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06074000. 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 Missouri River At Cascade 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 Missouri River At Cascade report
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