Clark Fork near Plains MT
USGS 12389000 · Montana · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading Clark Fork near Plains MT…
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USGS 12389000 · 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, 5:45 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, 6:45 PM MDT to Nov 5, 5:45 PM MST; ranging 10,400 to 10,700 ft³/s; latest 10,500 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, 5:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,250–14,000 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.66 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.66 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.66 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.66 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM MST | 10,600 | 4.67 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.66 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM MST | 10,600 | 4.67 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM MST | 10,600 | 4.67 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM MST | 10,600 | 4.67 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM MST | 10,600 | 4.67 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM MST | 10,600 | 4.67 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM MST | 10,600 | 4.67 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.66 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.66 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.66 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.66 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.66 | 8,200–13,800 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.66 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.65 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,170–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.62 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,120–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM MST | 10,500 | 4.64 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.62 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM MST | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM MDT | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM MDT | 10,400 | 4.63 | 8,020–13,900 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM MDT | 10,500 | 4.64 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM MDT | 10,500 | 4.64 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM MDT | 10,500 | 4.64 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM MDT | 10,500 | 4.64 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM MDT | 10,500 | 4.64 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM MDT | 10,500 | 4.64 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM MDT | 10,500 | 4.64 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM MDT | 10,500 | 4.64 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM MDT | 10,500 | 4.64 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM MDT | 10,500 | 4.64 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM MDT | 10,500 | 4.64 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM MDT | 10,500 | 4.64 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM MDT | 10,500 | 4.64 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM MDT | 10,500 | 4.65 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM MDT | 10,500 | 4.65 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM MDT | 10,500 | 4.65 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM MDT | 10,500 | 4.65 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM MDT | 10,500 | 4.65 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM MDT | 10,500 | 4.66 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM MDT | 10,500 | 4.66 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM MDT | 10,500 | 4.66 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM MDT | 10,500 | 4.66 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM MDT | 10,500 | 4.66 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM MDT | 10,600 | 4.67 | 7,950–14,100 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM MDT | 10,600 | 4.67 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM MDT | 10,600 | 4.67 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM MDT | 10,600 | 4.67 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM MDT | 10,600 | 4.67 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM MDT | 10,600 | 4.67 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM MDT | 10,600 | 4.68 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM MDT | 10,600 | 4.68 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM MDT | 10,600 | 4.68 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM MDT | 10,600 | 4.68 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM MDT | 10,600 | 4.68 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM MDT | 10,600 | 4.68 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM MDT | 10,600 | 4.68 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM MDT | 10,600 | 4.68 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM MDT | 10,600 | 4.68 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM MDT | 10,600 | 4.68 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM MDT | 10,600 | 4.68 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,930–14,000 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,810–13,800 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,810–13,800 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,810–13,800 |
| Oct 29, 8:45 PM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,810–13,800 |
| Oct 29, 7:45 PM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,810–13,800 |
| Oct 29, 6:45 PM MDT | 10,700 | 4.69 | 7,810–13,800 |
Map of USGS gauge 12389000 and the river around it
Where Clark Fork near Plains MT sits, with 3 other gauges on the same river 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.
Normal for Nov 5: 8,250–14,000 ft³/s (middle half of 116 years of record). Now: 10,500 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 10,500 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 116 years of record (1911–2026): 10th 6,690, 25th 8,250, median 10,400, 75th 14,000, 90th 16,500 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 4,460 ft³/s, highest 25,200 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% 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.
Species the agency lists for Clark Fork River: Black Bullhead, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Bull Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, Largemouth Bass, Largescale Sucker, Longnose Dace, Longnose Sucker, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike, Northern Pike Minnow, Peamouth, Pumpkinseed, Rainbow Trout, Redside Shiner, Rocky Mountain Sculpin, Slimy Sculpin, Smallmouth Bass, Variable Platyfish, Walleye, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Yellow Bullhead, Yellow Perch.
From our page for Clark Fork River, on the same river as this gauge; the agency list is for the water, not this exact reach. Source: FISHMT :: Waterbody Details (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks).
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 4.63 ft stage, 10,400 ft³/s at Nov 5, 4:45 PM MST (NWS gauge PLNM8; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 12:38 PM MST. Highest point: 4.64 ft, 10,500 ft³/s on Nov 5, 5:00 PM MST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 4.64 ft | 10,500 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 4.63 ft | 10,400 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 4.62 ft | 10,400 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 4.61 ft | 10,300 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 4.62 ft | 10,400 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 4.62 ft | 10,400 ft³/s |
| Wed, Nov 11 | 4.62 ft | 10,400 ft³/s |
| Thu, Nov 12 | 4.63 ft | 10,400 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 13 | 4.63 ft | 10,400 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 14 | 4.64 ft | 10,500 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 6:01 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.