Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder is flowing at 212 cfs with a gage height of 3.21 ft, rising 8% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06020600, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder at a glance
How Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder is flowing at 212 cfs, with the water sitting 3.21 ft at the gage. Flow is up 8% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #06020600 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 149 cfs, peaking at 212 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Ruby River Bl Reservoir Nr Alder Mt is expected to hold near today's 197 cfs, toward roughly 204 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 176-238 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.
Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder
The Ruby River is primarily fed by snow melt and springs and is regulated by two dams: the Ruby River Dam and the Alder Dam. The water flow in the Ruby River varies seasonally, with peak flow occurring in late May and early June due to snow melt runoff. Interesting facts about the hydrology of the Ruby River include its popularity among fly fishermen for its trout population and its historical significance as a major transportation route during the gold rush era.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Ruby River Bl Reservoir Nr Alder Mt | 212 cfs |
| Ruby River Ab Reservoir Nr Alder Mt | 116 cfs |
| Madison River Near Cameron Mt | 1,300 cfs |
| Beaverhead River Near Twin Bridges Mt | 62 cfs |
| Ruby River Near Twin Bridges Mt | 85 cfs |
| Big Hole River Near Glen Mt | 1,010 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder. 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 |
|---|---|
| Short Creek | 0 in |
| Clover Meadow | 1 in |
| Short Creek | 0 in |
| Clover Meadow | 0 in |
| Ennis | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Lower Twin | 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 Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder
Where does the streamflow data for Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06020600. 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 Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder 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 Ruby River Below Reservoir Near Alder report
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