Missouri River At Bismarck flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Missouri River At Bismarck is flowing at 18,800 cfs with a gage height of 5.29 ft. Source: USGS gauge #06342500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Missouri River At Bismarck at a glance
How Missouri River At Bismarck is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Missouri River At Bismarck is flowing at 18,800 cfs, with the water sitting 5.29 ft at the gage.
This is USGS gauge #06342500 in North Dakota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 18,870 cfs, peaking at 19,000 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Missouri River At Bismarck is expected to hold near today's 18800 cfs, toward roughly 18222 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 11595-28638 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 North Dakota 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.
Missouri River At Bismarck
The river's flow is influenced by various tributaries, including the Heart River and the Knife River. Additionally, the Garrison Dam, located upstream from Bismarck, can affect the river's flow. The river's flow exhibits seasonal trends, with peak flows typically occurring in the spring due to snowmelt. Interesting facts about the river include its historical importance as a trade route for Native Americans and European settlers, as well as its role in the Lewis and Clark expedition. The river also serves as a source of drinking water and irrigation for nearby communities.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Missouri River At Bismarck's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Missouri River At Bismarck | 18,800 cfs |
| Hay Creek At Main Avenue In Bismarck | 2 cfs |
| Burnt Creek Nr Bismarck | 4 cfs |
| Heart River Nr Mandan | 78 cfs |
| Apple Creek Nr Menoken | 58 cfs |
| Heart River At Stark Bridge Nr Judson | 88 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Missouri River At Bismarck. 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 |
|---|---|
| Wfo-Bismarck | 0 in |
| Bismarck | 0 in |
| Mckenzie Ndawn | 0 in |
| Center | 0 in |
| Sanger Ndawn | 0 in |
| Steele 5nw Ndawn | 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 Missouri River At Bismarck 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 Bismarck crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Missouri River At Bismarck
Where does the streamflow data for Missouri River At Bismarck come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06342500. 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 Bismarck 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 Bismarck report
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