M F Flathead River near West Glacier MT
USGS 12358500 · Montana · reports discharge (live), gauge height, water temperature
Reading M F Flathead River near West Glacier MT…
Back to the search
USGS 12358500 · Montana · reports discharge (live), gauge height, water temperature
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, 7:45 PM MST · provisional USGS data
Below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 9:00 PM MDT to Nov 5, 7:45 PM MST; ranging 479 to 533 ft³/s; latest 479 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, 7:45 PM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 PM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 PM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 574–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 598–1,430 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM MST | 487 | 1.71 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 596–1,510 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 580–1,390 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM MST | 502 | 1.73 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM MST | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM MDT | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM MDT | 494 | 1.72 | 573–1,380 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM MDT | 494 | 1.72 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM MDT | 494 | 1.72 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM MDT | 494 | 1.72 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM MDT | 502 | 1.73 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM MDT | 510 | 1.74 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM MDT | 510 | 1.74 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM MDT | 510 | 1.74 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM MDT | 510 | 1.74 | 558–1,330 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM MDT | 510 | 1.74 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM MDT | 510 | 1.74 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM MDT | 510 | 1.74 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM MDT | 510 | 1.74 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM MDT | 510 | 1.74 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM MDT | 510 | 1.74 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM MDT | 517 | 1.75 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM MDT | 517 | 1.75 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM MDT | 517 | 1.75 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM MDT | 517 | 1.75 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM MDT | 517 | 1.75 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM MDT | 517 | 1.75 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM MDT | 517 | 1.75 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM MDT | 517 | 1.75 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM MDT | 517 | 1.75 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM MDT | 517 | 1.75 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM MDT | 517 | 1.75 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM MDT | 517 | 1.75 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM MDT | 517 | 1.75 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM MDT | 525 | 1.76 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM MDT | 525 | 1.76 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM MDT | 525 | 1.76 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM MDT | 525 | 1.76 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM MDT | 525 | 1.76 | 530–1,310 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM MDT | 525 | 1.76 | 530–1,240 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM MDT | 525 | 1.76 | 530–1,240 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM MDT | 533 | 1.77 | 530–1,240 |
| Oct 29, 9:00 PM MDT | 533 | 1.77 | 530–1,240 |
Normal for Nov 5: 574–1,430 ft³/s (middle half of 87 years of record). Now: 479 ft³/s, below normal.
Below normal for this date. 479 ft³/s is between the 10th and 25th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 87 years of record (1940–2026): 10th 424, 25th 574, median 877, 75th 1,430, 90th 2,360 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 313 ft³/s, highest 7,640 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 (−1.6% 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.
Map of USGS gauge 12358500 and the river around it
Where M F Flathead River near West Glacier 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 Middle Fork Flathead 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 1.7 ft stage, 479 ft³/s at Nov 5, 7:45 PM MST (NWS gauge WGCM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 8:42 AM MST. Highest point: 1.7 ft, 479 ft³/s on Nov 5, 11:00 AM MST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 1.7 ft | 479 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 1.68 ft | 465 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 1.67 ft | 457 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 1.66 ft | 450 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 1.65 ft | 443 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 1.65 ft | 443 ft³/s |
| Wed, Nov 11 | 1.64 ft | 436 ft³/s |
| Thu, Nov 12 | 1.64 ft | 436 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 13 | 1.68 ft | 465 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 14 | 1.7 ft | 479 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
This gauge is on Middle Fork Flathead River: regulations, guides and shops
USGS gauge page USGS statistics NWS gauge WGCM8
Checked Nov 5, 9:00 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.