Milk River near Harlem

1. 25.50 ftFlooding of homes in Harlem and Chinook.
2. 24.00 ftPossible flooding of homes and streets in harlem and chinook.Notes: In April 2018, the Chinook water plant was surrounded by water. The water was stopped on the south/west side of the city of Chinook by the roads. Harlem was near 24 feet at the time. Fort Belknap had flooding eventually. Roads/homes were impacted. Harlem had all the flooding from 30 Mile Creek.
3. 23.00 ftEscape routes for livestock may be cut off.
4. 22.50 ftFlooding of approximately 4,000 acres of irrigation land.
5. 22.00 ftFlooding of culverts and some county bridges. 2,000 acres of irrigated land flooded.
6. 21.00 ftAt 21 Feet...the Milk River near Harlem is bankfull. Some minor problems can occur near/along the river from Chinook to east of Harlem. Impacts start to go up quickly as the stage goes above 21 feet. (March 2017)Notes: In April 2018, river at Harlem was 24 feet, and the flooding came from 30 Mile Creek.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 23, 2026.

Most recent crests

• April 12, 2023: 23.80 ft
• April 22, 2018: 24.46 ft
• May 28, 2012: 11.19 ft
• June 11, 2011: 23.46 ft
• June 26, 2010: 20.34 ft
• May 17, 2009: 7.88 ft
• March 27, 2009: 11.39 ft
• June 13, 2008: 8.56 ft
• April 23, 2007: 7.80 ft
• May 30, 2006: 7.61 ft

• UpstreamMilk River at Havre
• DownstreamMilk River at Dodson
• Peoples Creek at Hays
• Peoples Creek at Dodson
• Battle Creek (North-central MT) at Chinook
• Clear Creek (North-central MT) at Chinook near mouth
• Battle Creek (North-central MT) at Lyons Ck at IB nr Willow Ck 23E
• Milk River at Malta

Forecasts by the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.

Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.