Sun River Near Vaughn Flow Report
As of July 25, 2026, Sun River Near Vaughn is flowing at 610 cfs with a gage height of 2.49 ft, receding 7% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06089000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Sun River Near Vaughn at a glance
How Sun River Near Vaughn is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Sun River Near Vaughn is flowing at 610 cfs, with the water sitting 2.49 ft at the gage. Flow is down 7% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #06089000 in Montana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 638 cfs, peaking at 727 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 #06089000).
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, Sun River Near Vaughn Mt is expected to recede from today's 610 cfs, toward roughly 544 cfs by 2026-07-30 (likely range 398-746 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
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.
Sun River Near Vaughn
There are no major tributaries or dams in close proximity. The river typically experiences a strong seasonal flow, with peak flows occurring during the spring and early summer months. Interestingly, the Sun River is home to a variety of fish species, including the westslope cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish. However, the river is also prone to floods, with two major floods occurring in 1964 and 2011. Overall, the Sun River is an important source of water and habitat for wildlife in Montana.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Sun River Near Vaughn's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Sun River Near Vaughn Mount | 610 cfs |
| Muddy Creek At Vaughn Mount | 253 cfs |
| Missouri River Near Ulm Mount | 3,380 cfs |
| Lake Creek Near Power Mount | 30 cfs |
| Missouri River At Cascade Mount | 3,650 cfs |
| Sun River At Simms Mount | 92 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Sun River Near Vaughn. 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 |
|---|---|
| Great Falls Airport | 0 in |
| Mt Mesonet Benton Lake | 0 in |
| Sun River Se | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Fairfield 6.0 Ese | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Fairfield 5.6 Ne | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Fairfield 5.0 Nne | 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 Sun River Near Vaughn in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Sun River Near Vaughn crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Sun River Near Vaughn
What is the Sun River Near Vaughn flow rate right now?
As of July 25, 2026, Sun River Near Vaughn is flowing at 610 cfs. The live value, gage height, and 24-hour trend are shown at the top of this page.
Is the Sun River Near Vaughn running high or low right now?
Check the percent of median figure on this page: above 100% means Sun River Near Vaughn is running higher than normal for the date, below 100% means lower. The 24-hour trend shows whether it's rising or falling.
Where does the streamflow data for Sun River Near Vaughn come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06089000. 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 Sun River Near Vaughn 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 Sun River Near Vaughn report
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