Clark Fork At Deer Lodge flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Clark Fork At Deer Lodge is flowing at 167 cfs with a gage height of 2.63 ft, receding 10% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12324200, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Clark Fork At Deer Lodge at a glance
How Clark Fork At Deer Lodge is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Clark Fork At Deer Lodge is flowing at 167 cfs, with the water sitting 2.63 ft at the gage. Flow is down 10% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #12324200 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 247 cfs, peaking at 342 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Clark Fork At Deer Lodge Mt is expected to recede from today's 167 cfs, toward roughly 143 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 62-331 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
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.
Clark Fork At Deer Lodge
The flow provider for the streamgauge is the US Geological Survey. The river receives water from several tributaries, including the Blackfoot River and the Bitterroot River, and is regulated by several dams, including the Milltown Dam and the Thompson Falls Dam. The hydrology of the river is influenced by seasonal trends, with the highest flows occurring in the spring due to snowmelt. Interestingly, the Clark Fork River was the site of the largest environmental cleanup project in US history, due to contamination from a former copper smelter in the area.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Clark Fork At Deer Lodge's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Clark Fork At Deer Lodge Mt | 167 cfs |
| Little Blackfoot River Near Garrison Mt | 155 cfs |
| Lost Creek Near Galen | 6 cfs |
| Clark Fork Near Galen Mt | 147 cfs |
| Warm Springs Creek At Warm Springs Mt | 70 cfs |
| Silver Bow Creek At Warm Springs Mt | 66 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Clark Fork At Deer Lodge. 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 |
|---|---|
| Anaconda | 0 in |
| Warm Springs | 0 in |
| Warm Springs | 0 in |
| Anaconda 7.4 Nw | 0 in |
| Rocker Peak | 0 in |
| Rocker Peak | 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 Clark Fork At Deer Lodge in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Clark Fork At Deer Lodge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Clark Fork At Deer Lodge
Where does the streamflow data for Clark Fork At Deer Lodge come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12324200. 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 Clark Fork At Deer Lodge 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 Clark Fork At Deer Lodge report
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