Muddy Creek At Vaughn flow report
As of July 15, 2026, Muddy Creek At Vaughn is flowing at 155 cfs with a gage height of 3.92 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06088500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Muddy Creek At Vaughn at a glance
How Muddy Creek At Vaughn is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Muddy Creek At Vaughn is flowing at 155 cfs, with the water sitting 3.92 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #06088500 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 230 cfs, peaking at 485 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Montana flow report.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #06088500).
Percentiles are flow-duration values computed from this gauge’s observed daily record as archived by Snoflo. Return periods are Weibull plotting-position estimates from observed annual maxima, provided as general reference context only. Always verify against official USGS NWIS records. Part of Snoflo for Engineering.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Muddy Creek At Vaughn Mt is expected to rise from today's 155 cfs, toward roughly 175 cfs by 2026-07-20 (likely range 135-226 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
| Date | Expected (p50) | Likely range (p25–p75) | vs normal | Projected stage |
|---|
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.
Muddy Creek At Vaughn
The creek is fed by snowmelt and rain, with no major tributaries or dams in the area. Seasonal trends show higher flows in the spring and lower flows in the summer and fall. Interestingly, Muddy Creek is known for its high sediment load, which gives it a distinct muddy color. This sediment comes from the surrounding agricultural land and eroded hillsides. Overall, Muddy Creek provides a unique opportunity for researchers and students to study the hydrology and sediment transport of a small, rural stream in Montana.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Muddy Creek At Vaughn's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Muddy Creek At Vaughn Mt | 155 cfs |
| Sun River Near Vaughn Mt | 506 cfs |
| Missouri River Near Ulm Mt | 3,610 cfs |
| Lake Creek Near Power Mt | 30 cfs |
| Sun River At Simms Mt | 119 cfs |
| Missouri River At Cascade Mt | 3,820 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Muddy Creek At Vaughn. 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 |
|---|---|
| Mt Mesonet Benton Lake | 0 in |
| Great Falls Airport | 0 in |
| Sun River Se | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Fairfield 6.0 Ese | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Fairfield 5.6 Ne | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Fairfield 5.0 Nne | 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 Muddy Creek At Vaughn in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Muddy Creek At Vaughn crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Muddy Creek At Vaughn
Where does the streamflow data for Muddy Creek At Vaughn come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06088500. 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 Muddy Creek At Vaughn 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 Muddy Creek At Vaughn report
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