Rivers in Montana
Bitterroot River near Missoula
Below flood stage
3.58ftStage
Observed Sun, Sep 20, 12:00 PM MDT
- Flood stage
- 11.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 3.79 ftSun, Sep 20, 12:00 PM MDT
- Record crest
- 14.55 ft1899
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 15.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 13.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 11.00 ft |
| Action | 10.00 ft |
- 15.00 ftFlooding affecting many lowlying areas adjacent to the river specifically homes in the Target Range and Orchard Homes neighborhoods is possible.
- 14.00 ftFlooding affecting low lying areas near Mcclay Bridge and homes in the Target Range area is possible.
- 12.00 ftFlooding of farmland and some roads along the Bitterroot River from Lolo to the confluence with the Clark Fork River is possible.
- 11.00 ftFlooding to low lying areas adjacent to the river is possible.
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 20, 2026.
Crest history
24 crests on NOAA’s list since 1899.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 20, 1899 | 14.55 ft |
| 2 | June 18, 1974 | 13.40 ft |
| 3 | May 19, 1997 | 13.11 ft |
| 4 | June 1, 2003 | 12.65 ft |
| 5 | May 11, 2018 | 12.23 ft |
| 6 | May 21, 2008 | 11.97 ft |
| 7 | June 10, 1996 | 11.83 ft |
| 8 | June 1, 2020 | 11.40 ft |
| 9 | June 13, 2022 | 11.38 ft |
| 10 | June 7, 2009 | 11.38 ft |
| 11 | June 9, 2011 | 11.37 ft |
| 12 | May 21, 2006 | 11.24 ft |
| 13 | May 25, 2014 | 11.11 ft |
| 14 | June 20, 1975 | 11.10 ft |
| 15 | April 28, 2012 | 11.09 ft |
| 16 | May 18, 2019 | 11.09 ft |
| 17 | June 18, 1982 | 11.00 ft |
| 18 | May 15, 1976 | 11.00 ft |
| 19 | June 14, 2017 | 10.80 ft |
| 20 | June 4, 1999 | 10.65 ft |
| 21 | June 6, 2021 | 10.49 ft |
| 22 | June 1, 2002 | 10.33 ft |
| 23 | May 31, 2025 | 8.44 ft |
| 24 | May 31, 1990 | 8.13 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 31, 2025: 8.44 ft
- June 13, 2022: 11.38 ft
- June 6, 2021: 10.49 ft
- June 1, 2020: 11.40 ft
- May 18, 2019: 11.09 ft
- May 11, 2018: 12.23 ft
- June 14, 2017: 10.80 ft
- May 25, 2014: 11.11 ft
- April 28, 2012: 11.09 ft
- June 9, 2011: 11.37 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
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.