Flathead River Flow Today
As of October 6, 2026 at 1:30 AM, the Flathead River is flowing at 7,490 cfs at Perma Mount, MT — 126% of normal for the date. 4 of 4 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 258 to 7,490 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Flathead River map
See the Flathead River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
- Gauges now — which reaches are high or low
- Dams & paddle runs — storage and what’s in range
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Flathead 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 Perma Mount, the Flathead River is running 7,490 cfs — 126% of normal. Along the river, 4 of 4 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 128% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Columbia Falls Mount (-12%).
Paddlers: 1 of 1 runs on the Flathead River with a live range are in range.
How the Flathead 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
- Flathead British Columbia3,983 ft 258 cfs134%
- Columbia Falls Mount2,987 ft 4,140 cfs112%
- Polson Mount2,697 ft 7,140 cfs129%
- Perma Mount2,479 ft 7,490 cfs126%
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 Flathead River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (128%).
Flathead River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Flathead River At Flathead British Columbia MT
Oct 6, 1:45 AM · USGS 12355000 |
258 cfs | 134% | -3% | 4.44 ft | 6.1 ft below | 3,983 ft |
|
Flathead River At Columbia Falls Mount MT
Oct 6, 1:45 AM · USGS 12363000 |
4,140 cfs | 112% | -12% | 4.06 ft | 8.9 ft below | 2,987 ft |
|
Flathead River Near Polson Mount MT
Oct 6, 1:50 AM · USGS 12372000 |
7,140 cfs | 129% | 0% | 5.42 ft | · | 2,697 ft |
|
Flathead River At Perma Mount MT
Oct 6, 1:30 AM · USGS 12388700 |
7,490 cfs | 126% | +0% | 8.49 ft | · | 2,479 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.
Paddle runs on the Flathead River
1 of 2 runs is in range right now. Each run is checked against its runnable range using the gauge it is keyed to (or the nearest gauge on this river).
| Run | Status | Flow now | Runnable range | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grave Creek System Gauge: Flathead British Columbia |
In range | 258 cfs | 74–775 cfs typical | III–IV |
| Cuttoff, Sec. 9, T18N, R27W To Sec. 34, T19N, R25W Gauge: Perma Mount |
No live range | 7,490 cfs | 7,468–23,597 cfs typical | III–IV |
Dams & reservoirs on the Flathead River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Flathead River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Flathead River
The Flathead River is a 158-mile-long river located in western Montana, USA. The river has a rich history, having been inhabited by Native American tribes for centuries. It was also a major transportation route for fur traders in the 1800s. The river's hydrology is largely influenced by the surrounding mountains and glaciers, resulting in a steady flow of cold, clean water. The river is home to several reservoirs and dams, including the Kerr Dam and Hungry Horse Dam, which provide hydroelectric power and irrigation water for nearby agricultural communities. Recreational activities such as fishing, hiking, and rafting are popular along the river, which is known for its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife.
Fishing near the Flathead River
About the Flathead River
How is the Flathead River flowing right now?
As of October 6, 2026, the Flathead River is flowing at 7,490 cfs at Perma Mount, MT, about 126% of normal for the date. Across its 4 USGS gauges, current flows range from 258 to 7,490 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Flathead River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Flathead River is at 128% 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 Flathead River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Flathead British Columbia (10.5 ft), Columbia Falls Mount (13.0 ft), . The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Is the Flathead River runnable for paddling today?
1 of 2 paddle runs is in range right now. Each run in the paddle table is checked against its runnable range using its gauge's live flow.
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.