Rivers in Montana
Bitterroot River near Darby
Below flood stage
2.53ftStage
Observed Sun, Sep 20, 10:15 AM MDT
- Flood stage
- 7.50 ft
- Forecast crest
- 2.62 ftSat, Sep 19, 6:00 PM MDT
- Record crest
- 8.55 ft1997
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Minor flood | 7.50 ft |
| Action | 7.00 ft |
- 8.00 ftFlooding to low lying areas adjacent to the river will occur.
- 7.50 ftFlooding to low lying areas adjacent to the river is possible. Many county roads that are prone to flooding will also be impacted.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | -99900% |
| Major flooding | -99900% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 19, 2026.
Crest history
24 crests on NOAA’s list since 1947.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 17, 1997 | 8.55 ft |
| 2 | May 31, 2003 | 8.45 ft |
| 3 | June 17, 1974 | 8.42 ft |
| 4 | June 9, 1996 | 8.26 ft |
| 5 | May 9, 1947 | 8.18 ft |
| 6 | May 20, 2009 | 8.18 ft |
| 7 | May 29, 1948 | 8.12 ft |
| 8 | May 20, 2008 | 8.05 ft |
| 9 | May 10, 2018 | 7.88 ft |
| 10 | May 24, 1956 | 7.85 ft |
| 11 | May 24, 2014 | 7.84 ft |
| 12 | June 3, 1972 | 7.83 ft |
| 13 | June 8, 2011 | 7.65 ft |
| 14 | June 8, 1964 | 7.37 ft |
| 15 | May 11, 1976 | 7.29 ft |
| 16 | April 27, 2012 | 7.27 ft |
| 17 | May 24, 1967 | 7.18 ft |
| 18 | May 31, 2020 | 7.18 ft |
| 19 | May 29, 1971 | 7.12 ft |
| 20 | May 27, 1982 | 7.10 ft |
| 21 | June 13, 1953 | 7.04 ft |
| 22 | May 16, 1996 | 6.94 ft |
| 23 | June 5, 2021 | 6.23 ft |
| 24 | May 30, 2025 | 5.52 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 30, 2025: 5.52 ft
- June 5, 2021: 6.23 ft
- May 31, 2020: 7.18 ft
- May 10, 2018: 7.88 ft
- May 24, 2014: 7.84 ft
- April 27, 2012: 7.27 ft
- June 8, 2011: 7.65 ft
- May 20, 2009: 8.18 ft
- May 20, 2008: 8.05 ft
- May 31, 2003: 8.45 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- DownstreamBitterroot River at Bell Crossing near Victor
- West Fork Bitterroot River at Conner
- Big Hole River at Big Lake Creek at Wisdom
- Big Hole River at Mudd Creek near Wisdom
- Big Hole River at Jackson at Miner Creek
- Middle Fork Salmon River at Mouth
- Big Hole River at Wise River
- Big Hole River at Spring Creek near Jackson
What this means
Forecasts by the Northwest River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round.
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.