River Conditions

Note: Be aware that river conditions can change rapidly depending on weather and other factors. These condition reports are for reference only and are not authoritative guides.

Cubic Feet per Second (CFS) and Water Depth are based on USGS Survey Stations near the river segment. Current stream-flow data can be found at NOAA's Northwest River Forecast Center or view the individual station graphs: Middle Fork (near West Glacier); North Fork NFFQ2 (near Canadian border); North Fork FCFM8 (near Columbia Falls).

Flathead River Condition Reports

Middle Fork CFS and Water Depth from the USGS Survey Station at West Glacier (123585000)

Date	River Segment (Length in mi)	CFS/Depth	Float Time (hrs)	Observed Conditions
08/09/2026	West Glacier to House of Mystery (14 miles)	1,080 cfs/ 2.29 ft	4.5 hours	Low Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Most rocks/obstacles exposed. All rock bars exposed. Most heavy craft will need to be pushed through some sections. Portage may be required in some sections. Very slow water. Minimal hydraulic effects.
08/08/2026	Moccasin Creek to Blankenship (14.5 miles)	1,110 cfs/ 2.32	4.5 hours	Low Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Most rocks/obstacles exposed. All rock bars exposed. Most heavy craft will need to be pushed through some sections. Portage may be required in some sections. Very slow water. Minimal hydraulic effects.
08/03/2026	Blankenship to House of Mystery (11 miles)	1,460 cfs/ 2.65 ft	2.75 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
07/26/2026	Moccasin Creek to West Glacier (9 miles)	2,080 cfs/ 2.87 ft	2.5 hours	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
07/25/2026	Cascadilla to West Glacier (16 miles)	2,190 cfs/ 2.93 ft	4.75 hours	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects. River Changes/Season Long Warnings A new channel has formed at river mile 25. A number of trees/strainers present, but no significant navigational challenges.
07/24/2026	Essex to Cascadilla (19 miles)	2,240 cfs/ 2.96 ft	5.75 hours	PACKRAFT PATROL Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
07/23/2026	Paola to Cascadilla (12 miles)	2,320 cfs/ 3 ft	3 hours	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
07/13/2026	Bear Creek to Paola (12 miles)	3,680 cfs/ 3.63 ft	3 hours	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
07/12/2026	River Mile 32.5 to West Glacier (17.5 miles)	3,880 cfs/ 3.71 ft	5 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed. River Changes/Season Long Warnings A new channel has formed at river mile 25. A number of trees/strainers present, but no significant navigational challenges.
07/11/2026	Paola to River Mile 32.5 (9.5 miles)	4,090 cfs/ 3.79 ft	3 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
07/10/2026	Moccasin Creek to West Glacier (9 miles)	4.320 cfs/ 3.87 ft	2.5 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed. River Changes/Season Long Warnings Left channel partially blocked by strainer at river mile 17.25. Main channel partially blocked by strainer on river left at river mile 15.5.
07/02/2026	Bear Creek to Paola (10.5 miles)	8,740 cfs/ 5.21 ft	3 hours	High-Moderate Flow Water starting to clear, still slightly murky. Some debris present. Few rocks/obstacles exposed. Some rock bars exposed. Fast water. Strong hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation mostly exposed.
06/27/2026	Bear Creek to Essex (5.5 miles)	4,800 cfs/ 4.02 ft	1.25 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
06/26/2026	Paola to Cascadilla (12 miles)	4,830 cfs/ 4.03 ft	3 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
06/25/2026	Moccasin Creek to West Glacier (8 miles)	4,800 cfs/ 4 ft	3.5 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
06/18/2026	West Glacier to House of Mystery (15 miles)	6,930 cfs/ 4.67 ft	4 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
06/14/2026	Cascadilla to West Glacier (16 miles)	6,660 cfs/4.59 ft	3.75 hours	High-Moderate Flow Water starting to clear, still slightly murky. Some debris present. Few rocks/obstacles exposed. Some rock bars exposed. Fast water. Strong hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation mostly exposed.
06/13/2026	Bear Creek to Paola (10.5 miles)	7,000 cfs/4.72 ft	3.25 hours	High-Moderate Flow Water starting to clear, still slightly murky. Some debris present. Few rocks/obstacles exposed. Some rock bars exposed. Fast water. Strong hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation mostly exposed.
06/11/2026	Paola to Cascadilla (12 miles)	7,900 cfs/4.96 ft	2 hours	High-Moderate Flow Water starting to clear, still slightly murky. Some debris present. Few rocks/obstacles exposed. Some rock bars exposed. Fast water. Strong hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation mostly exposed.
06/10/2026	West Glacier to Blankenship (5.5 miles)	7,560 cfs/4.86 ft	1.5 hours	High-Moderate Flow Water starting to clear, still slightly murky. Some debris present. Few rocks/obstacles exposed. Some rock bars exposed. Fast water. Strong hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation mostly exposed.
05/14/2026	West Glacier to Blankenship (5.5 miles)	11,300 cfs/6.06 ft	1 hour	High Flow Water murky. Debris present. Few rocks/obstacles exposed. No rock bars exposed. Very fast water. Strong hydraulic effects in many locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation completely or mostly underwater.
05/13/2026	Paola to Cascadilla (12 miles)	11,400 cfs/6.08 ft	1.75 hours	High Flow Water murky. Debris present. Few rocks/obstacles exposed. No rock bars exposed. Very fast water. Strong hydraulic effects in many locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation completely or mostly underwater. River Changes/Season Long Warnings A number of trees/strainers present, but no significant navigational challenges.
05/12/26	Bear Creek to Paola (10.5 miles)	11,900 cfs/6.2 ft	2 hours	High Flow Water murky. Debris present. Few rocks/obstacles exposed. No rock bars exposed. Very fast water. Strong hydraulic effects in many locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation completely or mostly underwater. River Changes/Season Long Warnings A number of trees/strainers present, but no significant navigational challenges.

North Fork CFS and Water Depth from the USGS Survey Station at Columbia Falls (123555000)

Date	River Segment (Length in mi)	CFS/Depth	Float Time (hrs)	Observed Conditions
08/10/206	Glacier Rim to Blankenship	1,068 cfs/ 2.28 ft	1.5 hours	Low Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Most rocks/obstacles exposed. All rock bars exposed. Most heavy craft will need to be pushed through some sections. Portage may be required in some sections. Very slow water. Minimal hydraulic effects.
08/03/2026	Great Northern Flats to Blankenship (11.5 miles)	1,460 cfs/ 2.65 ft	3.5 hours	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
07/31/2026	Coal Creek to Big Creek (9.5 miles)	1,620 cfs/ 2.78 ft	3.5 hours	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
07/31/2026	Polebridge to Coal Creek (9.5 miles)	1,620 cfs/ 2.78 ft	3 hours	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
07/20/2026	Polebridge to Coal Creek (9.5 miles)	2,610 cfs/ 3.47 ft	2.25 hours	PACKRAFT PATROL Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
07/19/2026	Ford to Polebridge (11 miles)	2,750 cfs/ 3.55 ft	3 hours	PACKRAFT PATROL Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
07/18/2026	Border to Ford (14 miles)	2,780 cfs/ 3.57 ft	3.25 hours	PACKRAFT PATROL Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
07/16/2026	Big Creek to Glacier Rim (12 miles)	2,950 cfs/ 3.67 ft	2.5 hours	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
07/06/26	Coal Creek to Big Creek (10 miles)	4,980 cfs/ 4.67 ft	2 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
07/05/2026	Polebridge to Coal Creek (9.5 miles)	5,480 cfs/ 4.88 ft	1.75 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed. River Changes/Season Long Warnings High water has resolved the strainers that were present on 06/22/2026.
07/04/2026	Ford to Polebridge (11 miles)	6,080 cfs/ 5.12 ft	3 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
07/04/2026	Border to Ford (14 miles)	6,080 cfs/ 5.12 ft	3 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
06/22/2026	Coal Creek to Big Creek (10 miles)	5,330 cfs/ 4.82 ft	2 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
06/22/2026	Polebridge to Coal Creek (9.5 miles)	5,330 cfs/ 4.82 ft	2.5 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed. River Changes/Season Long Warnings Main Channel is partially blocked by strainer located in the middle of the river channel at River Mile 30.5. At River Mile 27.25, the river splits into two channels. The end of the far left channel is completely blocked by a strainer. The far right channel is passable.
06/21/2026	Ford to Polebridge (11 miles)	5,580 cfs/ 4.92 ft	3 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
06/20/2026	Border to Ford (14 miles)	5,800 cfs/ 5 ft	4 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
06/19/2026	Big Creek to Glacier Rim (12 miles)	6,390 cfs/ 4.51 ft	3 hours	Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in a few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
06/07/26	Polebridge to Coal Creek (9.5 miles)	9,710 cfs/6.48 ft	1.5 hours	High Flow Water murky. Debris present. Few rocks/obstacles exposed. No rock bars exposed. Very fast water. Strong hydraulic effects in many locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation completely or mostly underwater. River Changes/Season Long Warnings At river mile 30, a number of trees/strainers present, but no significant navigational challenges.
06/06/26	Ford to Polebridge (10 miles)	11,100 cfs/6.94 ft	2 hours	High Flow Water murky. Debris present. Few rocks/obstacles exposed. No rock bars exposed. Very fast water. Strong hydraulic effects in many locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation completely or mostly underwater.
06/05/26	Big Creek to Glacier Rim (11.5 miles)	11,900 cfs/6.18 ft	2.25 hours	High Flow Water murky. Debris present. Few rocks/obstacles exposed. No rock bars exposed. Very fast water. Strong hydraulic effects in many locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation completely or mostly underwater.
05/07/26	Glacier Rim to Blankenship (4 miles)	8,160 cfs/5.92 ft	1 hour	High Flow Water murky. Debris present. Few rocks/obstacles exposed. No rock bars exposed. Very fast water. Strong hydraulic effects in many locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation completely or mostly underwater.

River Conditions

Flathead River Condition Reports

Middle Fork of the Flathead River

North Fork of the Flathead River