Belle Fourche River Flow Today
As of October 12, 2026 at 1:00 AM, the Belle Fourche River is flowing at 12 cfs near Elm Springs, SD — 13% of normal for the date and up 24% in 24 hours. 2 of 3 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 2.6 to 12 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Belle Fourche River map
See the Belle Fourche River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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Belle Fourche River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Elm Springs, the Belle Fourche River is running 12 cfs — 13% of normal, up 24% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 25% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is rising at Elm Springs (+24%).
How the Belle Fourche River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Moorcroft4,101 ft 2.6 cfs37%
- Elm Springs2,180 ft 12 cfs13%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Belle Fourche River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (25%).
Belle Fourche River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Belle Fourche River Below Moorcroft WY
Oct 12, 1:15 AM · USGS 06426500 |
2.6 cfs | 37% | +14% | 1.10 ft | 11.9 ft below | 4,101 ft |
|
Belle Fourche River Near Alva WY
Last reported Jun 18 · USGS 06428200 |
14 cfs | · | · | 1.33 ft | · | 3,590 ft |
|
Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs SD
Oct 12, 1:00 AM · USGS 06438000 |
12 cfs | 13% | +24% | 3.72 ft | 15.3 ft below | 2,180 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Dams & reservoirs on the Belle Fourche River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Belle Fourche River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Belle Fourche River
The Belle Fourche River is a tributary of the Cheyenne River, and it is located in the western region of South Dakota. The river is approximately 290 miles long, and it flows through Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota. Historically, the Belle Fourche River was an important source of water for Native American tribes, and later, it played a significant role in the growth of the cattle industry in the area. Today, the Belle Fourche River is widely used for recreational purposes, such as fishing, boating, and camping. The Angostura Dam, located on the river in South Dakota, is a significant hydroelectric power source and provides water for irrigation and recreational purposes. Other dams on the river include the Orman Dam, the Keyhole Dam, and the Deer Creek Dam.
About the Belle Fourche River
How is the Belle Fourche River flowing right now?
As of October 12, 2026, the Belle Fourche River is flowing at 12 cfs near Elm Springs, SD, about 13% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 2.6 to 12 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Belle Fourche River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Belle Fourche River is at 25% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
What is flood stage on the Belle Fourche River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Moorcroft (13.0 ft), Elm Springs (19.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.