Swan River near Bigfork, MT
USGS 12370000 · Montana · reports discharge (live), gauge height
USGS 12370000 · 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 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 9:15 PM MDT to Nov 5, 8:00 PM MST; ranging 416 to 464 ft³/s; latest 437 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 | 437 | 2.29 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 PM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 PM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM MST | 423 | 2.27 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM MST | 450 | 2.31 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM MST | 450 | 2.31 | 430–667 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 430–667 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM MST | 423 | 2.27 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM MST | 423 | 2.27 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM MST | 450 | 2.31 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM MST | 450 | 2.31 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM MST | 457 | 2.32 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM MST | 457 | 2.32 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM MST | 464 | 2.33 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM MST | 464 | 2.33 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM MST | 450 | 2.31 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM MST | 457 | 2.32 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM MST | 464 | 2.33 | 423–671 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM MST | 457 | 2.32 | 423–671 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM MST | 450 | 2.31 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM MST | 450 | 2.31 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM MST | 450 | 2.31 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM MST | 450 | 2.31 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM MST | 450 | 2.31 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM MST | 450 | 2.31 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM MST | 450 | 2.31 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–657 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–657 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM MST | 423 | 2.27 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM MST | 437 | 2.29 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM MST | 423 | 2.27 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM MST | 450 | 2.31 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM MST | 416 | 2.26 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM MST | 430 | 2.28 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM MST | 444 | 2.3 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 421–640 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 421–640 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM MDT | 450 | 2.31 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM MDT | 430 | 2.28 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM MDT | 430 | 2.28 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 419–658 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 419–658 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM MDT | 430 | 2.28 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM MDT | 430 | 2.28 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM MDT | 430 | 2.28 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM MDT | 430 | 2.28 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM MDT | 430 | 2.28 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM MDT | 430 | 2.28 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM MDT | 430 | 2.28 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM MDT | 450 | 2.31 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM MDT | 450 | 2.31 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 400–671 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 400–671 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM MDT | 437 | 2.29 | 406–656 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 406–656 |
| Oct 29, 9:15 PM MDT | 444 | 2.3 | 406–656 |
Map of USGS gauge 12370000 and the river around it
Where Swan River near Bigfork, 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 Swan River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Normal for Nov 5: 430–667 ft³/s (middle half of 103 years of record). Now: 437 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 437 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 103 years of record (1923–2025): 10th 357, 25th 430, median 533, 75th 667, 90th 852 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 292 ft³/s, highest 1,580 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 2.29 ft stage, 437 ft³/s at Nov 5, 8:00 PM MST (NWS gauge SWRM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 8:42 AM MST. Highest point: 2.35 ft, 478 ft³/s on Nov 9, 5:00 AM MST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 2.3 ft | 444 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 2.28 ft | 430 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 2.27 ft | 423 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 2.34 ft | 471 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 2.35 ft | 478 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 2.31 ft | 450 ft³/s |
| Wed, Nov 11 | 2.3 ft | 444 ft³/s |
| Thu, Nov 12 | 2.34 ft | 471 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 13 | 2.34 ft | 471 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 14 | 2.33 ft | 464 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:09 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.