Missouri River near Culbertson MT
USGS 06185500 · Montana · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading Missouri River near Culbertson MT…
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USGS 06185500 · Montana · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 4:00 PM MST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 5:15 PM MDT to Nov 5, 4:00 PM MST; ranging 7,480 to 7,770 ft³/s; latest 7,600 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM MST | 7,600 | 3.45 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST | 7,600 | 3.45 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM MST | 7,660 | 3.48 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM MST | 7,660 | 3.48 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM MST | 7,680 | 3.49 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM MST | 7,680 | 3.49 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM MST | 7,700 | 3.5 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM MST | 7,700 | 3.5 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM MST | 7,720 | 3.51 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM MST | 7,720 | 3.51 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM MST | 7,740 | 3.52 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM MST | 7,740 | 3.52 | 5,250–11,100 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM MST | 7,770 | 3.53 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM MST | 7,770 | 3.53 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM MST | 7,770 | 3.53 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM MST | 7,770 | 3.53 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM MST | 7,770 | 3.53 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM MST | 7,770 | 3.53 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM MST | 7,770 | 3.53 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM MST | 7,770 | 3.53 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM MST | 7,770 | 3.53 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM MST | 7,770 | 3.53 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM MST | 7,740 | 3.52 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM MST | 7,740 | 3.52 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM MST | 7,740 | 3.52 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM MST | 7,720 | 3.51 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM MST | 7,720 | 3.51 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM MST | 7,700 | 3.5 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM MST | 7,700 | 3.5 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM MST | 7,680 | 3.49 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM MST | 7,680 | 3.49 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM MST | 7,660 | 3.48 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM MST | 7,680 | 3.49 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM MST | 7,660 | 3.48 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,290–11,200 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM MST | 7,620 | 3.46 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM MST | 7,640 | 3.47 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM MST | 7,620 | 3.46 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM MST | 7,620 | 3.46 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM MST | 7,620 | 3.46 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM MST | 7,600 | 3.45 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM MST | 7,600 | 3.45 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM MST | 7,600 | 3.45 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM MST | 7,600 | 3.45 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM MST | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM MST | 7,600 | 3.45 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM MST | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM MST | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM MST | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,240–11,400 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM MST | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM MST | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM MST | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM MST | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM MST | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM MST | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM MST | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM MST | 7,540 | 3.42 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM MST | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM MST | 7,540 | 3.42 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM MST | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM MST | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM MST | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM MST | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM MST | 7,540 | 3.42 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM MST | 7,540 | 3.42 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM MST | 7,520 | 3.41 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM MST | 7,540 | 3.42 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM MST | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM MST | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,220–11,100 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM MST | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM MST | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM MST | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM MST | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM MST | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM MST | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM MST | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM MST | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM MST | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM MST | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM MST | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,140–10,500 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM MDT | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM MDT | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM MDT | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM MDT | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM MDT | 7,480 | 3.39 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM MDT | 7,520 | 3.41 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM MDT | 7,500 | 3.4 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM MDT | 7,520 | 3.41 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM MDT | 7,520 | 3.41 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM MDT | 7,540 | 3.42 | 5,150–9,950 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM MDT | 7,540 | 3.42 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM MDT | 7,520 | 3.41 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM MDT | 7,520 | 3.41 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM MDT | 7,520 | 3.41 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM MDT | 7,520 | 3.41 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM MDT | 7,520 | 3.41 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM MDT | 7,540 | 3.42 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM MDT | 7,540 | 3.42 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM MDT | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM MDT | 7,540 | 3.42 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM MDT | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM MDT | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM MDT | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM MDT | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM MDT | 7,560 | 3.43 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,210–9,760 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,270–9,810 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,270–9,810 |
| Oct 29, 9:00 PM MDT | 7,600 | 3.45 | 5,270–9,810 |
| Oct 29, 8:00 PM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,270–9,810 |
| Oct 29, 7:00 PM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,270–9,810 |
| Oct 29, 6:00 PM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,270–9,810 |
| Oct 29, 5:15 PM MDT | 7,580 | 3.44 | 5,270–9,810 |
Map of USGS gauge 06185500 and the river around it
Where Missouri River near Culbertson MT sits, with 4 other gauges on the same river.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Montana FWP uses are 66°F, 68°F and 73°F.
Normal for Nov 5: 5,250–11,100 ft³/s (middle half of 67 years of record). Now: 7,600 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 7,600 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 67 years of record (1959–2025): 10th 4,170, 25th 5,250, median 6,750, 75th 11,100, 90th 14,100 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 3,450 ft³/s, highest 22,100 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (−2.2% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Montana fish stocking data · Montana fishing regulations.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 3.45 ft stage, 7,720 ft³/s at Nov 5, 4:00 PM MST (NWS gauge CLBM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 5:00 PM MST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.