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…
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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, 8:45 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, 9:45 PM MDT to Nov 5, 8:45 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, 8:45 PM MST | 479 | 1.7 | 574–1,430 |
| 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 |
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.
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.
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, 8:45 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)
Checked Nov 5, 9:26 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.