Flathead River Near Polson flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Flathead River Near Polson is flowing at 13,200 cfs with a gage height of 7.71 ft, receding 7% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12372000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Flathead River Near Polson at a glance
How Flathead River Near Polson is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Flathead River Near Polson is flowing at 13,200 cfs, with the water sitting 7.71 ft at the gage. Flow is down 7% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #12372000 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 16,500 cfs, peaking at 24,600 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Flathead River Near Polson Mt is expected to recede from today's 14200 cfs, toward roughly 11668 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 6451-21106 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.
Flathead River Near Polson
Flow providers and constituents include melting snowpack, groundwater discharge, and precipitation. The river is fed by several tributaries including the Jocko River and the Stillwater River, and is regulated by several dams including Kerr Dam and Flathead Lake Dam. Seasonal trends show high flows during spring runoff and low flows during the summer months, with potential for drought conditions. The Flathead River is home to a diverse array of fish species, including rainbow trout, bull trout, and westslope cutthroat trout. Interesting facts include the presence of native tribes along the river and the river's connection to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Flathead River Near Polson's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Flathead River Near Polson Mt | 13,200 cfs |
| South Crow Creek Near Ronan Mt | 9 cfs |
| Mill Cr Ab Bassoo Cr Nr Niarada Mt | 2 cfs |
| Flathead River At Perma Mt | 13,700 cfs |
| Swan River Near Bigfork Mt | 1,530 cfs |
| Mission Cr Ab Reservoir Nr St Ignatius Mt | 61 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Flathead River Near Polson. 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 |
|---|---|
| Nohrsc Bisson Creek | 0 in |
| Bisson Creek | 0 in |
| Ronan 4.1 Ne | 0 in |
| Moss Peak | 0 in |
| Moss Peak | 0 in |
| Nohrsc 14b04 - Blacktail/Colocated With Wxl82 | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Flathead River Near Polson.
Nearby reservoirs
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Boat launches
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River runs
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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 Flathead River Near Polson in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Flathead River Near Polson crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Flathead River Near Polson
Where does the streamflow data for Flathead River Near Polson come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12372000. 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 Flathead River Near Polson 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 Flathead River Near Polson report
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