Rivers in North Dakota

Little Missouri River at Medora

Billings County, North DakotaNWS MDAN8USGS 06336000Bismarck office

Below flood stage
1.00ftStage

Observed Sat, Sep 26, 9:00 PM MDT

Flood stage
15.00 ft
Record crest
20.50 ft1947

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood20.00 ft
Moderate flood18.00 ft
Minor flood15.00 ft
Action13.00 ft
  1. 19.00 ftMuch of the town of Medora is susceptible to flooding. The steep bank on the left side is subject to overflow.
  2. 18.00 ftHighway 10 begins to flood-town of Medora very flat and is subject to flooding.
  3. 17.00 ftA few rural homes next to the river near Medora may be flooded.
  4. 15.00 ftRight bank overflows and damages camping area on the west side of Medora.
  5. 13.00 ftWater backs up into ditches along Highway 10. Cottonwood campground-5 mi into park has water out of banksin very low spots. Campground and Visitor Center unharmed.
  6. 12.00 ftLow spots on right bank overflow.

Flood outlook

Chance of flooding, September to November

CategoryChance
Minor floodingUnder 5%
Moderate floodingUnder 5%
Major floodingUnder 5%

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

Crest history

28 crests on NOAA’s list since 1907.

#DateStage
1March 23, 194720.50 ft
2May 25, 201120.39 ft
3March 11, 197218.68 ft
4March 25, 201918.57 ft
5April 8, 195217.32 ft
6June 7, 192917.20 ft
7March 28, 197816.52 ft
8April 19, 200916.43 ft
9March 14, 201416.05 ft
10April 24, 190716.00 ft
11March 2, 202015.71 ft
12March 20, 201014.15 ft
13June 16, 191514.10 ft
14May 9, 197514.00 ft
15July 27, 195513.90 ft
16April 25, 200613.82 ft
17April 16, 201812.92 ft
18June 9, 200711.75 ft
19May 11, 200811.70 ft
20June 1, 201311.52 ft
21June 30, 200511.43 ft
22January 27, 201511.40 ft
23September 10, 201311.25 ft
24March 16, 200310.21 ft
25February 19, 201710.20 ft

Most recent crests

  • March 9, 2021: 3.88 ft
  • March 2, 2020: 15.71 ft
  • March 25, 2019: 18.57 ft
  • April 16, 2018: 12.92 ft
  • February 19, 2017: 10.20 ft
  • September 27, 2016: 5.19 ft
  • January 27, 2015: 11.40 ft
  • March 14, 2014: 16.05 ft
  • September 10, 2013: 11.25 ft
  • June 1, 2013: 11.52 ft

Nearby

Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.

What this means

Forecasts by the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from <u>forecast issuance time</u> (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included.

Sources

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.