Belle Fourche River Near Alva flow report
As of July 15, 2026, Belle Fourche River Near Alva is flowing at 14 cfs, receding 12% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06428200, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Belle Fourche River Near Alva at a glance
How Belle Fourche River Near Alva is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Belle Fourche River Near Alva is flowing at 14 cfs, with the water sitting 1.33 ft at the gage. Flow is down 12% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #06428200 in Wyoming. Over the past 10 days the average has been 16 cfs, peaking at 20 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Wyoming flow report.
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.
Belle Fourche River Near Alva
The river has several potential tributaries, including Redwater Creek and Hay Creek. Seasonally, the river experiences higher flows during the spring and early summer months due to snowmelt. The Belle Fourche River is also impacted by the Keyhole Dam, which can affect flow rates downstream. Interestingly, the Belle Fourche River is named after the French word for "beautiful fork," referring to the river's confluence with several other streams.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Belle Fourche River Near Alva's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Belle Fourche River Near Alva | 14 cfs |
| Belle Fourche R At Wy-Sd State Line | 1 cfs |
| Murray Ditch Ab Headgate At Wy-Sd State Line | 11 cfs |
| Redwater Cr At Wy-Sd State Line | 5 cfs |
| Sand Creek Near Ranch A | 36 cfs |
| Crow Creek Near Beulah | 32 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Belle Fourche River Near Alva. 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 |
|---|---|
| Alva 12nnw - Wy Mesonet | 0 in |
| Hulett 6nw - Wy Mesonet | 0 in |
| Aladdin 5sw - Wy Mesonet | 0 in |
| Cole Canyon | 0 in |
| Cole Canyon (Snotel) | 0 in |
| Devils Tower 16wnw - Wy Mesonet | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Belle Fourche River Near Alva.
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 Belle Fourche River Near Alva in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Belle Fourche River Near Alva crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Belle Fourche River Near Alva
Where does the streamflow data for Belle Fourche River Near Alva come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06428200. 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 Belle Fourche River Near Alva 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 Belle Fourche River Near Alva report
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