TONGUE RIVER

River Levels Streamflow Hydrology
November 21, 2024

TOTAL DISCHARGE (CFS)

SUMMARY

Last Updated 2024-11-20
Discharge Volume 1,164 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 587.0 cfs
-176.0 cfs (-23.07%)
Percent of Normal 59.33%
Maximum 24,742.0 cfs
2019-05-31
Seasonal Avg 989 cfs

Total streamflow across the Tongue River was last observed at 587 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 1,164 acre-ft of water today; about 59% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 989 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2019-05-31 when daily discharge volume was observed at 24,742 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Tongue River At Monarch reporting a streamflow rate of 383 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Tongue River At Tongue R Dam Nr Decker Mt with a gauge stage of 10.83 ft. This river is monitored from 8 different streamgauging stations along the Tongue River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 4,072 ft, the Tongue River Near Dayton.

The Tongue River is a 265-mile-long river that flows through Wyoming and Montana. It has played a significant role in Native American history and served as a transportation route for early settlers. The river's watershed encompasses over 10,000 square miles and is known for its diverse wildlife and scenic beauty. The Tongue River is fed by numerous tributaries, including Otter Creek and the Powder River. The river is home to various reservoirs, including the Tongue River Reservoir and the Keyhole Reservoir, which are used for recreation and irrigation. The Tongue River Basin is also an important agricultural region, producing crops like wheat, barley, and hay. The river has faced challenges in recent years due to water contamination and disputes over water use, but stakeholders continue to work towards finding sustainable solutions.

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Tongue River Near Dayton
USGS 06298000
48 cfs 1.73 ft 0
Tongue River At Monarch
USGS 06299980
383 cfs 3.36 ft
Tongue River At State Line Nr Decker Mt
USGS 06306300
152 cfs 2.41 ft 9.83
Tongue River At Tongue R Dam Nr Decker Mt
USGS 06307500
158 cfs 10.83 ft -1.86
Tongue R At Birney Day School Br Nr Birney Mt
USGS 06307616
205 cfs 1.32 ft -1.46
Tongue R Bl Brandenberg Bridge Nr Ashland Mt
USGS 06307830
188 cfs 2.87 ft -4.89
Tongue River At Miles City Mt
USGS 06308500
195 cfs 2.14 ft -2.99
Tongue River At Akra
USGS 05101000
56 cfs 7.77 ft 6.88
History of the River

The Tongue River is a 90.4-mile-long (145.5 km) tributary of the Pembina River in northeastern North Dakota in the United States. It drains an area of the prairie country near the Canada–US border in the extreme northeast corner of the state in the watershed of the Red River.
It rises in eastern Cavalier County and flows in a direct course east-northeast into Pembina County, passing the towns of Cavalier, Neche and Bathgate. It joins the Pembina from the south approximately 2 miles (3 km) upstream from the mouth of the Pembina on the Red River.
Upstream of Cavalier, the river passes through Icelandic State Park, where Renwick Dam causes it to form Lake Renwick. Below the dam, foot trails follow the river in the Gunlogson Arboretum Nature Preserve.

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Watershed River Levels

48

Cubic Feet Per Second

202

Cubic Feet Per Second

16

Cubic Feet Per Second

0

Cubic Feet Per Second