SHIELDS RIVER

River Levels Streamflow Hydrology
November 21, 2024

TOTAL DISCHARGE (CFS)

SUMMARY

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the reporting a streamflow rate of cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Shields River, with a gauge stage of ft at this location. This river is monitored from 1 different streamgauging stations along the Shields River, the highest being situated at an altitude of ft, the .

The Shields River is a tributary of the Yellowstone River, located in Montana. It is approximately 60 miles long and has a rich history of agriculture and ranching, dating back to the 1800s. The river is fed by snowmelt from the Crazy Mountains and provides irrigation water for agricultural purposes.

There are several reservoirs and dams along the Shields River, including the Upper and Lower Shields River Reservoirs and the Martinsdale Reservoir. These reservoirs provide additional water storage for irrigation and recreational uses such as fishing and boating.

The hydrology of the Shields River fluctuates seasonally, with peak flows in the spring and low flows in the late summer and fall. In recent years, drought conditions have impacted the river's flow and water availability.

Overall, the Shields River is an important resource for agriculture and recreation in Montana, and efforts are being made to conserve and manage its water resources for future generations.

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Shields River Nr Livingston Mt
USGS 06195600
110 cfs 1.02 ft 4.76
History of the River

The Shields River is a tributary of the Yellowstone River, 65.4 miles (105.3 km) long, in Meagher and Park Counties Montana in the United States.
It rises in the Gallatin National Forest in the Crazy Mountains in northern Park County. It flows west, then south, between the Bridger Range to the west and the Crazy Mountains to the east, past Wilsall and Clyde Park. It joins the Yellowstone approximately 10 mi (16 km) northeast of Livingston.
The Shields River was named for John Shields (explorer), a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.The river hosts native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and Mountain whitefish as well as introduced brown and rainbow trout.

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Watershed River Levels

124

Cubic Feet Per Second

145

Cubic Feet Per Second

95

Cubic Feet Per Second

43

Cubic Feet Per Second