Kootenai River bl Libby Dam nr Libby MT
USGS 12301933 · Montana · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading Kootenai River bl Libby Dam nr Libby MT…
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USGS 12301933 · 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, 8:00 PM MST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Falling · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 9:00 PM MDT to Nov 5, 8:00 PM MST; ranging 4,220 to 14,600 ft³/s; latest 6,610 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, 8:00 PM MST | 6,610 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 PM MST | 6,610 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 PM MST | 6,630 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM MST | 6,630 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM MST | 6,630 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST | 6,610 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM MST | 6,630 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM MST | 6,630 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM MST | 6,630 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM MST | 6,610 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM MST | 6,630 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM MST | 6,580 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM MST | 6,580 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM MST | 6,630 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM MST | 6,610 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM MST | 6,610 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM MST | 6,580 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM MST | 6,630 | 19 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM MST | 7,120 | 19.2 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM MST | 7,250 | 19.2 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM MST | 8,190 | 19.6 | 4,590–17,700 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM MST | 8,660 | 19.7 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM MST | 9,040 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM MST | 9,040 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM MST | 9,040 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM MST | 9,100 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM MST | 9,200 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM MST | 9,170 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM MST | 9,200 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM MST | 9,170 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM MST | 9,100 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM MST | 9,040 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM MST | 9,040 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM MST | 9,170 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM MST | 9,170 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM MST | 9,230 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM MST | 9,200 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM MST | 9,260 | 19.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM MST | 10,100 | 20.2 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM MST | 11,200 | 20.5 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM MST | 12,400 | 20.9 | 4,520–19,300 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM MST | 13,300 | 21.1 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM MST | 14,300 | 21.4 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM MST | 14,300 | 21.4 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM MST | 14,300 | 21.4 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM MST | 14,100 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM MST | 14,300 | 21.4 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM MST | 14,100 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM MST | 14,300 | 21.4 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM MST | 14,100 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM MST | 14,100 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM MST | 14,100 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM MST | 14,100 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM MST | 14,100 | 21.3 | 4,610–19,200 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM MST | 14,300 | 21.4 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM MST | 14,300 | 21.4 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM MST | 14,200 | 21.3 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM MST | 14,300 | 21.4 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM MST | 14,400 | 21.4 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM MST | 14,300 | 21.4 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM MST | 14,300 | 21.4 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM MST | 14,200 | 21.4 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM MST | 14,600 | 21.4 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM MST | 14,400 | 21.4 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM MST | 14,400 | 21.4 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM MST | 14,400 | 21.4 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM MST | 14,300 | 21.4 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM MST | 14,300 | 21.4 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM MST | 13,000 | 21 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM MST | 11,000 | 20.5 | 4,520–18,300 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM MST | 9,290 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM MST | 9,230 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM MST | 9,200 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM MST | 9,170 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM MST | 9,170 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM MST | 9,170 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM MST | 9,070 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM MST | 9,100 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM MST | 9,230 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM MST | 9,230 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM MST | 9,170 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM MST | 9,140 | 19.9 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM MST | 8,890 | 19.8 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM MDT | 7,880 | 19.5 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM MDT | 6,060 | 18.7 | 4,530–17,900 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM MDT | 4,380 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM MDT | 4,220 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM MDT | 4,220 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM MDT | 4,220 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM MDT | 4,220 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM MDT | 4,220 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM MDT | 4,220 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,230–17,500 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM MDT | 4,220 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM MDT | 4,220 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM MDT | 4,220 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM MDT | 4,280 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM MDT | 4,240 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,100–18,200 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,180–17,700 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,180–17,700 |
| Oct 29, 9:00 PM MDT | 4,260 | 17.9 | 4,180–17,700 |
Normal for Nov 5: 4,590–17,700 ft³/s (middle half of 55 years of record). Now: 6,610 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 6,610 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 55 years of record (1972–2026): 10th 4,040, 25th 4,590, median 10,000, 75th 17,700, 90th 20,700 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 3,890 ft³/s, highest 30,300 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).
Falling over 24 hours: discharge down 26.9%, from 9,040 to 6,610 ft³/s. 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.
Map of USGS gauge 12301933 and the river around it
Where Kootenai River bl Libby Dam nr Libby MT sits and our water's map point.
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.
This gauge is on the same river as our page for Kootenai River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
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 19 ft stage, 6,610 ft³/s at Nov 5, 7:00 PM MST (NWS gauge KBDM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 8:52 AM MST. Highest point: 18.4 ft, 5,270 ft³/s on Nov 5, 11:00 AM MST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 18.4 ft | 5,270 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 17.5 ft | 3,460 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 17.5 ft | 3,480 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 17.5 ft | 3,510 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 17.5 ft | 3,530 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 17.5 ft | 3,550 ft³/s |
| Wed, Nov 11 | 17.5 ft | 3,580 ft³/s |
| Thu, Nov 12 | 17.5 ft | 3,600 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 13 | 17.5 ft | 3,620 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 14 | 17.6 ft | 3,650 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Our page for Kootenai River, on the same river: regulations, guides and shops
USGS gauge page USGS statistics NWS gauge KBDM8
Checked Nov 5, 8:19 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.