River stage
Flathead River
- River level
- Normal
- Status
- Below flood stage
Latest readings 2026-10-13 | NWS · USGS
- Gauges reporting
- 3 of 3
- Above flood stage
- 0
- Above action stage
- 0
- Overall
- Below flood stage
- Publisher
- NWS · USGS
In brief
On Oct 13, 2026, 3 of 3 gauges on the Flathead River reported, and none was above flood stage.
Source: National Weather Service and USGS gauges
Flathead River levels, gauge by gauge
The Flathead River is measured at 3 gauges. Flood stages are set per gauge, so the same river is "high" at one town and normal at the next.
| Location | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Falls | 3.78 ft | normal, steady |
| Perma | 8.55 ft | no flood stage set |
| Polson | 5.45 ft | normal, steady |
Recent levels on the Flathead River
The gauge with the fullest recent record on this river is Columbia Falls, MT, with 122 days of readings.
Other rivers nearby
- Missouri River (MT) 11 gauges
- Beaver Creek (MT) 2 gauges
- Missouri River (MT, ND) 4 gauges
Frequently asked questions
Is the Flathead River flooding right now?
No. Every one of the 3 reporting gauges on the Flathead River is below flood stage as of 2026-10-13.
How high is the Flathead River?
The river is measured at several points and each reads a different height. Columbia Falls is at 3.78 ft; Polson is at 5.45 ft.
Where is the Flathead River measured?
The National Weather Service and USGS operate 3 gauges on the Flathead River in Montana.
What does flood stage mean?
Flood stage is the height at which a river begins to cause problems at that specific location. It is set per gauge, so the same river can be above flood stage in one town and normal a few miles downstream. Action stage is the lower level at which forecasters start watching closely.
River stages and flood categories from the NOAA National Weather Service; daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.