Powder River At Moorhead flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Powder River At Moorhead is flowing at 35 cfs with a gage height of 1.81 ft, receding 30% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06324500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Powder River At Moorhead at a glance
How Powder River At Moorhead is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Powder River At Moorhead is flowing at 35 cfs, with the water sitting 1.81 ft at the gage. Flow is down 30% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #06324500 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 68 cfs, peaking at 131 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Powder River At Moorhead Mt is expected to recede from today's 34 cfs, toward roughly 29 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 9-98 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.
Powder River At Moorhead
The river's flow is influenced by precipitation and snowmelt in the surrounding area, and its seasonal trends reflect the changing water levels throughout the year. The river has been dammed in several locations for irrigation purposes, including the Powder River Reservoir. The hydrology of the Powder River is important for both recreational activities and agricultural irrigation, and its flow is carefully monitored by the US Geological Survey. One interesting fact about the river is that it was named for the sediment that was believed to resemble gunpowder.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Powder River At Moorhead's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Powder River At Moorhead Mt | 35 cfs |
| Clear Creek Near Arvada | 256 cfs |
| Little Powder River Ab Dry Creek | 3 cfs |
| Wild Horse Creek Near Arvada | 0 cfs |
| Powder River At Arvada | 29 cfs |
| Hanging Woman Creek Near Birney Mt | 0 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Powder River At Moorhead. 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 |
|---|---|
| Moorhead 9 Ne | 0 in |
| Otter E | 0 in |
| Biddle 8sw | 0 in |
| Ashland E | 0 in |
| Clearmont 15ese - Wy Mesonet | 0 in |
| Biddle 18se - Wy Mesonet | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Powder River At Moorhead.
Boat launches
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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 Powder River At Moorhead in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Powder River At Moorhead crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Powder River At Moorhead
Where does the streamflow data for Powder River At Moorhead come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06324500. 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 Powder River At Moorhead 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 Powder River At Moorhead report
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