Blackfoot River Near Bonner flow report
As of July 14, 2026, Blackfoot River Near Bonner is flowing at 1,470 cfs with a gage height of 3.08 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12340000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Blackfoot River Near Bonner at a glance
How Blackfoot River Near Bonner is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Blackfoot River Near Bonner is flowing at 1,470 cfs, with the water sitting 3.08 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #12340000 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,819 cfs, peaking at 2,280 cfs.
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
Over the next 5 days, Blackfoot River Near Bonner Mt is expected to recede from today's 1470 cfs, toward roughly 1299 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 799-2112 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
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.
Blackfoot River Near Bonner
The river receives significant contributions from its tributaries, such as the Clearwater River, which is known for its pristine waters. The flow of the Blackfoot River typically peaks during the spring and early summer months due to snowmelt, and declines during the fall and winter months. Although there are several dams on the river, they have little effect on the river's flow due to their low capacity. The hydrology of the Blackfoot River is interesting due to its historical significance in the novel "A River Runs Through It" by Norman Maclean. The river is also known for its excellent fishing opportunities for brown and rainbow trout.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Blackfoot River Near Bonner's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Blackfoot River Near Bonner Mt | 1,470 cfs |
| Clark Fork At Turah Bridge Nr Bonner Mt | 1,210 cfs |
| Clark Fork Above Missoula Mt | 2,700 cfs |
| Rock Creek Near Clinton Mt | 618 cfs |
| Bitterroot River Near Missoula Mt | 1,930 cfs |
| Clark Fork Below Missoula Mt | 4,580 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Blackfoot River Near Bonner. 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 |
|---|---|
| Potomac | 0 in |
| Stuart Mountain | 0 in |
| Stuart Mountain | 1 in |
| Missoula 6 Nw Wfo | 0 in |
| Missoula | 0 in |
| Missoula 4.4 W | 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 Blackfoot River Near Bonner in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Blackfoot River Near Bonner crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Blackfoot River Near Bonner
Where does the streamflow data for Blackfoot River Near Bonner come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12340000. 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 Blackfoot River Near Bonner 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 Blackfoot River Near Bonner report
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