Firehole River Near West Yellowstone flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Firehole River Near West Yellowstone is flowing at 213 cfs with a gage height of 2.95 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06036905, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Firehole River Near West Yellowstone at a glance
How Firehole River Near West Yellowstone is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Firehole River Near West Yellowstone is flowing at 213 cfs, with the water sitting 2.95 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #06036905 in Wyoming. Over the past 10 days the average has been 219 cfs, peaking at 227 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Firehole River Near West Yellowstone Mt is expected to hold near today's 213 cfs, toward roughly 217 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 182-259 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 Wyoming 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.
Firehole River Near West Yellowstone
The stream gauge measures the river's flow, which is dependent on snowmelt and precipitation. The river is fed by several tributaries, including the Little Firehole River and Nez Perce Creek. There are no major dams on the river, allowing for its natural flow. Seasonal trends include peak flow in June due to snow melt and low flow in September. Interesting facts about the hydrology include the river's name, which comes from the steam rising from the riverbed and the fact that it is one of the few rivers in the world where you can legally swim in a hot spring.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Firehole River Near West Yellowstone's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Firehole River Near West Yellowstone Mt | 213 cfs |
| Gibbon River At Madison Jct | 83 cfs |
| Madison River Near West Yellowstone Mt | 315 cfs |
| Tantalus Creek At Norris Junction | 3 cfs |
| Big Springs At Big Springs Id | 128 cfs |
| Henrys Fork Nr Lake Id | 194 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Firehole River Near West Yellowstone. 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 |
|---|---|
| West Yellowstone | 0 in |
| Old Faithful Rs - Coop | 30 in |
| Nohrsc West Yellowstone | 0 in |
| Madison Plateau | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Madison Plateau | 0 in |
| Whiskey Creek | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Firehole River Near West Yellowstone.
Nearby reservoirs
See all →
Boat launches
See all →
River runs
See all →
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 Firehole River Near West Yellowstone in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Firehole River Near West Yellowstone crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Firehole River Near West Yellowstone
Where does the streamflow data for Firehole River Near West Yellowstone come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06036905. 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 Firehole River Near West Yellowstone 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 Firehole River Near West Yellowstone report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
- Flow alerts — get pinged the moment this river hits your range
- Save favorites — every river, lake & snowpack in one place
- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app