Missouri River At Fort Benton Flow Report
As of July 20, 2026, Missouri River At Fort Benton is flowing at 5,410 cfs with a gage height of 2.22 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06090800, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Missouri River At Fort Benton at a glance
How Missouri River At Fort Benton is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Missouri River At Fort Benton is flowing at 5,410 cfs, with the water sitting 2.22 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #06090800 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 5,259 cfs, peaking at 5,680 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Montana flow report.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #06090800).
Estimate flows at an ungauged site
Drainage-area ratio transfer from this gauge . Most reliable for hydrologically similar sites in the same watershed with area ratios between roughly 0.5 and 1.5.
Percentiles are flow-duration values computed from this gauge’s observed daily record as archived by Snoflo. Return periods are Weibull plotting-position estimates from observed annual maxima, provided as general reference context only. Always verify against official USGS NWIS records. Part of Snoflo for Engineering.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Missouri River At Fort Benton Mt is expected to hold near today's 5410 cfs, toward roughly 4975 cfs by 2026-07-25 (likely range 3788-6534 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
| Date | Expected (p50) | Likely range (p25–p75) | vs normal | Projected stage |
|---|
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.
Missouri River At Fort Benton
The river's main constituents are snowmelt and precipitation. The Fort Peck Dam and the Canyon Ferry Dam are two significant tributaries that affect the river's flow. The river experiences seasonal trends with the highest flow during spring and early summer due to snowmelt. In contrast, the lowest flow is in winter when the river is mostly frozen. One quirky fact is that Fort Benton is known as the "birthplace of Montana" because it was the head of navigation on the Missouri River and served as a busy trading post during the 1800s.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Missouri River At Fort Benton's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Missouri River At Fort Benton Mt | 5,410 cfs |
| Marias River Near Loma Mt | 1,400 cfs |
| Teton River At Loma Mt | 13 cfs |
| Missouri River At Virgelle Mt | 6,250 cfs |
| Missouri River Near Great Falls Mt | 4,450 cfs |
| Lake Creek Near Power Mt | 30 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Missouri River At Fort Benton. 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 |
|---|---|
| Fort Benton | 0 in |
| Loma | 0 in |
| Brady 27 Ene (The Knees) | 0 in |
| Big Sandy Se | 0 in |
| Mt Mesonet Benton Lake | 0 in |
| Inverness S | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Missouri River At Fort Benton.
Boat launches
See all →
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 Missouri River At Fort Benton in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Missouri River At Fort Benton crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Missouri River At Fort Benton
Where does the streamflow data for Missouri River At Fort Benton come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06090800. 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 Missouri River At Fort Benton 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 Missouri River At Fort Benton report
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