Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity is flowing at 40 cfs with a gage height of 2.06 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12323600, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity at a glance
How Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity is flowing at 40 cfs, with the water sitting 2.06 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #12323600 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 44 cfs, peaking at 55 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity Mt is expected to recede from today's 39 cfs, toward roughly 32 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 14-73 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.
Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity
The flow providers and constituents of the stream include both natural sources and anthropogenic sources such as mine waste and sewage effluent. The stream is also impacted by several tributaries and dams, including Warm Springs Creek and Warm Springs Ponds. Seasonal trends in flow are influenced by snowmelt and precipitation, with peak flows occurring in the spring and early summer. An interesting fact about the hydrology of Silver Bow Creek is that it has been designated a Superfund site due to contamination from mining activities, and restoration efforts are ongoing.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity Mt | 39 cfs |
| Willow Creek At Opportunity | 9 cfs |
| Mill Creek At Opportunity | 13 cfs |
| Warm Springs Creek Near Anaconda Mt | 119 cfs |
| Silver Bow Creek At Warm Springs Mt | 66 cfs |
| Warm Springs Creek At Warm Springs Mt | 73 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity. 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 |
| Anaconda 7.4 Nw | 0 in |
| Barker Lakes | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Barker Lakes | — |
| Warm Springs | 0 in |
| Warm Springs | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity.
Boat launches
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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 Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity
Where does the streamflow data for Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12323600. 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 Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity 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 Silver Bow Creek At Opportunity report
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