Ruby River River Levels

Last Updated: December 4, 2025

The Ruby River is a tributary of the Jefferson River, which eventually flows into the Missouri River.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Ruby River was last observed at 113 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 224 acre-ft of water today; about 52% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 216 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2011-07-01 when daily discharge volume was observed at 3,719 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Ruby River Near Twin Bridges Mt reporting a streamflow rate of 156 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Ruby River Ab Reservoir Nr Alder Mt with a gauge stage of 2.98 ft. This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Ruby River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 5,410 ft, the Ruby River Ab Reservoir Nr Alder Mt.

River Details

Last Updated 2025-12-01
Discharge Volume 224 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 113.0 cfs
+2.0 cfs (+1.8%)
Percent of Normal 52.38%
Maximum 3,719.0 cfs
2011-07-01
Seasonal Avg 216 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Ruby River Ab Reservoir Nr Alder Mt
USGS 06019500
113 cfs 2.98 ft 1.8
Ruby River Bl Reservoir Nr Alder Mt
USGS 06020600
43 cfs 2.24 ft -2.29
Ruby River Near Twin Bridges Mt
USGS 06023000
156 cfs 2.78 ft -1.89
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Ruby River is a tributary of the Beaverhead River, approximately 76 mi (122 km) long, in southwestern Montana in the United States. It rises in the Beaverhead National Forest in southwestern Madison County between the Snowcrest Range and the Gravelly Range. It flows north through the Ruby River Reservoir, past Alder, then northwest, flowing between the Tobacco Root Mountains to the northeast and the Ruby Range to the southwest. It joins the Beaverhead near Twin Bridges. The Beaverhead becomes the Jefferson River 2 mi (3.2 km) downstream where it joins the Big Hole River.
The river has also been known by these various names: Pah-mamar-roi, Pak-sam-ma-oi, Pashmaroi, Passamari, Philanthropy River, Stinking Water Creek, Stinking Water River, Stinkingwater River.The Ruby is a Class II river for stream access for recreational purposes.