Rivers in Montana
Big Hole River near Melrose
Below flood stage
1.86ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 2:15 PM MDT
- Flood stage
- 6.00 ft
- Record crest
- 8.09 ft1997
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 8.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 7.50 ft |
| Minor flood | 6.00 ft |
| Action | 5.00 ft |
- 8.00 ftThe town of Melrose begins to flood on the south end of town.
- 7.00 ftAgricultural land floods and irrigation systems need to be protected.
- 6.50 ftAt 6.5 Feet - May 2018 - Water continues to impact agriculutral land along the river and equipment near the river needs to be protected. A couple of homes in the Meriweather Subdivison impacted with basement flooding. Sections of Burma Road impacted.
- 6.40 ft6.4 Feet June 19, 2020. River was above flood stage. Cause - Snowmelt/runoff from rainfall about 2 days prior. Bigh Hole River upstream at BHD rose to about 6.6 feet. Downstream at Glen, it rose to about 6.5 feet.
- 6.20 ftAt 6.2 Feet on the Big Hole River...water starts to come out of its bank and affect a home/driveway near Glen. Look at staff gauge GNLM8...that should be around 6.5 feet on the Big Hole River near Glen for flooding around Glen. (June 2017)
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 23, 2026.
Crest history
84 crests on NOAA’s list since 1932.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 9, 1997 | 8.09 ft |
| 2 | June 10, 1972 | 8.04 ft |
| 3 | June 9, 1964 | 7.88 ft |
| 4 | June 3, 1948 | 7.76 ft |
| 5 | May 27, 1942 | 7.72 ft |
| 6 | June 21, 1975 | 7.54 ft |
| 7 | June 10, 2011 | 7.46 ft |
| 8 | May 10, 1947 | 7.45 ft |
| 9 | June 10, 1996 | 7.36 ft |
| 10 | June 7, 1995 | 7.35 ft |
| 11 | May 27, 1956 | 7.19 ft |
| 12 | June 17, 1974 | 7.07 ft |
| 13 | May 27, 2018 | 7.05 ft |
| 14 | June 4, 1953 | 7.02 ft |
| 15 | June 18, 2010 | 6.94 ft |
| 16 | June 13, 1965 | 6.92 ft |
| 17 | June 7, 1991 | 6.88 ft |
| 18 | June 22, 1984 | 6.85 ft |
| 19 | April 14, 1976 | 6.75 ft |
| 20 | May 31, 2003 | 6.74 ft |
| 21 | June 8, 1967 | 6.66 ft |
| 22 | May 20, 1976 | 6.65 ft |
| 23 | May 28, 1982 | 6.48 ft |
| 24 | May 31, 1943 | 6.47 ft |
| 25 | June 19, 2020 | 6.45 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 19, 2020: 6.45 ft
- May 27, 2018: 7.05 ft
- May 11, 2018: 6.21 ft
- April 27, 2012: 5.25 ft
- June 10, 2011: 7.46 ft
- June 18, 2010: 6.94 ft
- June 1, 2009: 6.21 ft
- May 21, 2008: 6.16 ft
- June 8, 2007: 4.42 ft
- May 21, 2006: 5.49 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely during the warm season, and as needed at other times of the year. Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.
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.