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 |
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.
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.
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)
Checked Nov 5, 8:39 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.