Yellowstone River At Forsyth flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Yellowstone River At Forsyth is flowing at 9,900 cfs with a gage height of 2.96 ft, receding 6% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06295000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Yellowstone River At Forsyth at a glance
How Yellowstone River At Forsyth is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Yellowstone River At Forsyth is flowing at 9,900 cfs, with the water sitting 2.96 ft at the gage. Flow is down 6% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #06295000 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 11,440 cfs, peaking at 13,300 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Yellowstone River At Forsyth Mt is expected to recede from today's 10600 cfs, toward roughly 8589 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 4631-15928 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.
Yellowstone River At Forsyth
Its flow is influenced by several factors including snowmelt, precipitation, and reservoir releases. The river also receives water from tributaries like the Tongue River, Powder River, and Bighorn River. There are several dams along the river's course, including the smaller Rosebud Dam and the massive Fort Peck Dam. The river experiences seasonal trends with higher flows in the spring and early summer and lower flows in the fall and winter. Interesting facts about the Yellowstone River include its role as the longest free-flowing river in the continental United States and its designation as a wild and scenic river.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Yellowstone River At Forsyth's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Yellowstone River At Forsyth Mt | 9,900 cfs |
| Tongue R Bl Brandenberg Bridge Nr Ashland Mt | 235 cfs |
| Bighorn River Ab Tullock Cr Nr Bighorn Mt | 1,580 cfs |
| Yellowstone River At Miles City Mt | 9,880 cfs |
| Tongue River At Miles City Mt | 25 cfs |
| Pumpkin Creek Near Miles City Mt | 0 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Yellowstone River At Forsyth. 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 |
|---|---|
| Forsyth | 0 in |
| Colstrip | 0 in |
| Hysham 25 Sse | 0 in |
| Brandenberg | 0 in |
| Ingomar 14 Ne | 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 Yellowstone River At Forsyth in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Yellowstone River At Forsyth crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Yellowstone River At Forsyth
Where does the streamflow data for Yellowstone River At Forsyth come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06295000. 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 Yellowstone River At Forsyth 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 Yellowstone River At Forsyth report
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