GALLATIN RIVER
River Levels • Streamflow • Hydrology
October 30, 2024
Until 2024-10-30T14:00:00-06:00 • National Weather Service
* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 22 expected. * WHERE...Fort Collins, Boulder and the western suburbs of Denver, Denver, Castle Rock, Greeley, and Byers. * WHEN...From 10 PM Wednesday to 9 AM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions are expected kill unprotected sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
| Last Updated | 2024-10-30 |
| Discharge Volume | 2,388 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
1,204.0 cfs
+7.0 cfs (+0.58%) |
| Percent of Normal | 94.72% |
| Maximum |
16,110.0 cfs
2022-06-14 |
| Seasonal Avg | 1,271 cfs |
Total streamflow across the
Gallatin River
was last observed at
1,204
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
2,388
acre-ft of water today; about 95%
of normal.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
1,271 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2022-06-14 when daily discharge volume was observed at
16,110 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Gallatin River At Logan Mt
reporting a streamflow rate of 818 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Gallatin River, with a gauge stage of
5.23 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Gallatin River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 5,189 ft, the
Gallatin River Near Gallatin Gateway Mt.
The Gallatin River is a 120-mile-long tributary of the Missouri River located in the U.S. states of Wyoming and Montana. It was named after Albert Gallatin, a former U.S. Treasury Secretary. The river flows through rugged mountain terrain and is a popular destination for fly fishing, rafting, and kayaking. The river's hydrology is influenced by several reservoirs, including the Hebgen Lake Dam and the Ennis Dam, which regulate water flow and provide hydroelectric power. The Gallatin River has also played a significant role in the region's agricultural development, providing irrigation water for crops such as hay and grain. In recent years, concerns have been raised about the impact of recreational use on the river's ecosystem, prompting efforts to protect and conserve its natural resources.
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gallatin River Near Gallatin Gateway Mt
USGS 06043500 |
386 cfs | 1.44 ft | 0 | |||||
|
Gallatin River At Logan Mt
USGS 06052500 |
818 cfs | 5.23 ft | 0.86 |
History of the River
The Gallatin River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 120 mi (193 km long), in the U.S. states of Wyoming and Montana. It is one of three rivers, along with the Jefferson and Madison, that converge near Three Forks, Montana, to form the Missouri.
It originates in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Parke in northwestern Wyoming, in the Gallatin Range of the Rocky Mountains. It flows northwest through Gallatin National Forest, past Big Sky, Montana, and joins the Jefferson and Madison approximately 30 mi (48 km) northwest of Bozeman.
U.S. Highway 191 follows the river from the Wyoming border to just outside Bozeman.
The river was named in July 1805 by Meriwether Lewis at Three Forks. The eastern fork of the three, it was named for Albert Gallatin, the U.S. Treasury Secretary from 1801–14. The western fork was named for President Thomas Jefferson and the central fork for Secretary of State James Madison.
The Gallatin River is one of the best whitewater runs in the Yellowstone-Teton Area. In June, when the snowmelt is released from the mountains, the river has a class IV section called the "Mad Mile". This section is over a mile long and contains continuous stretches of challenging whitewater. Rafting companies offer trips on this river – on the Mad Mile Section as well as other, less challenging sections.
The Gallatin River is an amazingly scenic river – winding through high alpine meadows, dropping into the rocky Gallatin Canyon, and flowing out into the Gallatin Valley. It is an exceptionally popular fly fishing destination for rainbow trout, brown trout and mountain whitefish. Portions of the river are designated as a Blue Ribbon trout stream while the remainder is designated Red Ribbon by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department. The river is closed to fishing from boats from Yellowstone Park to the confluence with the East Gallatin River. Parts of the movie A River Runs Through It were filmed on the Gallatin.
The river is a Class I water from the Taylor Fork to its confluence with the Missouri for the purposes of public recreational access.
