Summary
Total streamflow across the
Jefferson River
was last observed at
1,853
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
3,675
acre-ft of water today; about 80%
of normal.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
2,318 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2011-06-12 when daily discharge volume was observed at
30,300 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Jefferson River Near Three Forks Mt
reporting a streamflow rate of 1,020 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Jefferson River Near Twin Bridges Mt
with a gauge stage of 3.43 ft.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Jefferson River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 4,588 ft, the
Jefferson River Near Twin Bridges Mt.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-01 |
| Discharge Volume | 3,675 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
1,853.0 cfs
-105.0 cfs (-5.36%) |
| Percent of Normal | 79.93% |
| Maximum |
30,300.0 cfs
2011-06-12 |
| Seasonal Avg | 2,318 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jefferson River Near Twin Bridges Mt
USGS 06026500 |
833 cfs | 3.43 ft | -12.13 | |||||
|
Jefferson River Near Three Forks Mt
USGS 06036650 |
1020 cfs | 3.1 ft | 0.99 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The Jefferson River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 83 miles (134 km) long, in the U.S. state of Montana. The Jefferson River and the Madison River form the official beginning of the Missouri at Missouri Headwaters State Park near Three Forks. It is joined 0.6 miles (1.0 km) downstream (northeast) by the Gallatin.
From broad valleys to a narrow canyon, the Jefferson River passes through a region of significant geological diversity, with some of the oldest and youngest rocks of North America and a diversity of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary formations.
The region was only intermittently inhabited by Native Americans until relatively recent times, and no single tribe had exclusive use of the Jefferson River when the Lewis and Clark Expedition first ascended the river in 1805. Today, the Jefferson River retains much of its scenic beauty and wildlife diversity from the days of Lewis and Clark, yet is threatened by water use issues and encroaching development. The Jefferson is a segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, administered by the National Park Service.