N F Flathead River nr Columbia Falls MT
USGS 12355500 · Montana · reports discharge (live), gauge height, water temperature
Reading N F Flathead River nr Columbia Falls MT…
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USGS 12355500 · Montana · reports discharge (live), gauge height, water temperature
What the agencies suggest
Approach the stream carefully and with a low profileIowa Department of Natural Resources
Fishing upstream will usually spook fewer fish than working downstreamIowa Department of Natural Resources
Deep pools and undercut banks provide refuge during sunny days and low waterMinnesota Department of Natural Resources
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 6:45 PM MST · provisional USGS data
Much below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 8:00 PM MDT to Nov 5, 6:45 PM MST; ranging 650 to 716 ft³/s; latest 650 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) | Water temp (°F) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 6:45 PM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 PM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 767–1,380 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM MST | 650 | 1.69 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 751–1,310 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM MST | 655 | 1.7 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 764–1,330 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM MST | 660 | 1.71 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM MST | 665 | 1.72 | – | 763–1,320 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM MST | 675 | 1.74 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM MST | 675 | 1.74 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM MST | 670 | 1.73 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM MST | 675 | 1.74 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM MST | 675 | 1.74 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM MST | 675 | 1.74 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM MDT | 675 | 1.74 | – | 738–1,300 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM MDT | 675 | 1.74 | 41.2 | 738–1,300 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM MDT | 675 | 1.74 | 41.2 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM MDT | 675 | 1.74 | 41.2 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM MDT | 680 | 1.75 | 41.2 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM MDT | 680 | 1.75 | 41.2 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM MDT | 680 | 1.75 | 41.2 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM MDT | 680 | 1.75 | 41.2 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM MDT | 680 | 1.75 | 41.4 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM MDT | 680 | 1.75 | 41.5 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM MDT | 680 | 1.75 | 41.5 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM MDT | 680 | 1.75 | 41.7 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM MDT | 685 | 1.76 | 41.5 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM MDT | 685 | 1.76 | 41 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM MDT | 685 | 1.76 | 41 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM MDT | 685 | 1.76 | 40.6 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM MDT | 685 | 1.76 | 40.5 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM MDT | 685 | 1.76 | 40.5 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM MDT | 685 | 1.76 | 40.5 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM MDT | 685 | 1.76 | 40.6 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM MDT | 685 | 1.76 | 40.6 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM MDT | 690 | 1.77 | 40.5 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM MDT | 690 | 1.77 | 40.6 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM MDT | 690 | 1.77 | 41.2 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM MDT | 690 | 1.77 | 41.4 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM MDT | 690 | 1.77 | 41.4 | 716–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM MDT | 690 | 1.77 | 41.5 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM MDT | 695 | 1.78 | 41.5 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM MDT | 695 | 1.78 | 41.5 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM MDT | 695 | 1.78 | 41.5 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM MDT | 695 | 1.78 | 41.4 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM MDT | 695 | 1.78 | 41.5 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM MDT | 695 | 1.78 | 41.7 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM MDT | 695 | 1.78 | 41.9 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM MDT | 701 | 1.79 | 42.1 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM MDT | 701 | 1.79 | 41.9 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM MDT | 695 | 1.78 | 41.5 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM MDT | 701 | 1.79 | 41.4 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM MDT | 701 | 1.79 | 40.8 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM MDT | 706 | 1.8 | 40.6 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM MDT | 701 | 1.79 | 40.5 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM MDT | 706 | 1.8 | 40.3 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM MDT | 706 | 1.8 | 40.3 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM MDT | 706 | 1.8 | 40.3 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM MDT | 706 | 1.8 | 40.3 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM MDT | 706 | 1.8 | 40.3 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM MDT | 711 | 1.81 | 40.3 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM MDT | 711 | 1.81 | 40.3 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM MDT | 711 | 1.81 | 40.5 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM MDT | 711 | 1.81 | 40.5 | 720–1,280 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM MDT | 711 | 1.81 | 40.6 | 722–1,280 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM MDT | 711 | 1.81 | 40.8 | 722–1,280 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM MDT | 711 | 1.81 | 41 | 722–1,280 |
| Oct 29, 8:45 PM MDT | 716 | 1.82 | 41 | 722–1,280 |
| Oct 29, 8:00 PM MDT | 716 | 1.82 | 41.2 | 722–1,280 |
Water temperature, last 7 days: 54 readings from Oct 29, 8:00 PM MDT to Nov 1, 12:45 AM MDT; ranging 40.3 to 42.1 °F; latest 41.2 °F.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Water temperature (°F) |
|---|---|
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM MDT | 41.2 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM MDT | 41.2 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM MDT | 41.2 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM MDT | 41.2 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM MDT | 41.2 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM MDT | 41.2 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM MDT | 41.2 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM MDT | 41.4 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM MDT | 41.5 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM MDT | 41.5 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM MDT | 41.7 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM MDT | 41.5 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM MDT | 41 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM MDT | 41 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM MDT | 40.6 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM MDT | 40.5 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM MDT | 40.5 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM MDT | 40.5 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM MDT | 40.6 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM MDT | 40.6 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM MDT | 40.5 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM MDT | 40.6 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM MDT | 41.2 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM MDT | 41.4 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM MDT | 41.4 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM MDT | 41.5 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM MDT | 41.5 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM MDT | 41.5 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM MDT | 41.5 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM MDT | 41.4 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM MDT | 41.5 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM MDT | 41.7 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM MDT | 41.9 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM MDT | 42.1 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM MDT | 41.9 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM MDT | 41.5 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM MDT | 41.4 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM MDT | 40.8 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM MDT | 40.6 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM MDT | 40.5 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM MDT | 40.3 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM MDT | 40.3 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM MDT | 40.3 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM MDT | 40.3 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM MDT | 40.3 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM MDT | 40.3 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM MDT | 40.3 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM MDT | 40.5 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM MDT | 40.5 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM MDT | 40.6 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM MDT | 40.8 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM MDT | 41 |
| Oct 29, 8:45 PM MDT | 41 |
| Oct 29, 8:00 PM MDT | 41.2 |
Map of USGS gauge 12355500 and the river around it
Where N F Flathead River nr Columbia Falls 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 our page for North Fork Flathead River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Normal for Nov 5: 767–1,380 ft³/s (middle half of 87 years of record). Now: 650 ft³/s, much below normal.
Much below normal for this date. 650 ft³/s is below the 10th percentile of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 87 years of record (1940–2026): 10th 658, 25th 767, median 988, 75th 1,380, 90th 2,300 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 497 ft³/s, highest 6,690 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 (−0.8% 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.
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 1.69 ft stage, 650 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:45 PM MST (NWS gauge FCFM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 8:42 AM MST. Highest point: 1.75 ft, 680 ft³/s on Nov 12, 11:00 AM MST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 1.69 ft | 650 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 1.69 ft | 650 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 1.69 ft | 650 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 1.69 ft | 650 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 1.7 ft | 655 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 1.68 ft | 645 ft³/s |
| Wed, Nov 11 | 1.71 ft | 660 ft³/s |
| Thu, Nov 12 | 1.75 ft | 680 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 13 | 1.75 ft | 680 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 14 | 1.73 ft | 670 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 7:58 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.