Rivers in Montana
Jefferson River near Three Forks
Below flood stage
2.96ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 2:00 AM MDT
- Flood stage
- 8.00 ft
- Record crest
- 9.88 ft1997
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 9.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 8.50 ft |
| Minor flood | 8.00 ft |
| Action | 7.00 ft |
- 8.50 ftCounty roads and bridges have water flowing over them. Several homes flood.May 2018 - Old Town Road just north of Three Forks begins to flood. Road had to be closed.
- 8.00 ftFarm buildings flood around Three Forks.Also monitor Boulder River. When Boulder River (BLDM8) starts to go above 8.0 feet, this can have an effect on rise/lowering of the Jefferson River near Three Forks. (June 2017)
- 7.50 ftAt 7.5 Feet...Agricultural land floods near Three Forks.
- 7.30 ftAt 7.3 Feet...Water starts to come out of its bank on the Jefferson River near Silver Star and Waterloo in Madison County. The water is near the foundations of several homes. Waterloo Road and Riverside Drive have water on them. An areal flood advisory is recommended from north of Twin Bridges to north of Waterloo. Look at staff gage PBRM8 for data. (June 2017). PBR only available from July thru September starting in 2018.
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 August 26, 2026.
Crest history
54 crests on NOAA’s list since 1979.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 3, 1997 | 9.88 ft |
| 2 | December 10, 1980 | 9.39 ft |
| 3 | June 12, 2011 | 9.38 ft |
| 4 | June 11, 1997 | 9.20 ft |
| 5 | June 9, 1995 | 9.00 ft |
| 6 | December 14, 1984 | 8.94 ft |
| 7 | December 9, 1982 | 8.89 ft |
| 8 | June 20, 2010 | 8.77 ft |
| 9 | May 29, 2018 | 8.53 ft |
| 10 | June 24, 1984 | 8.51 ft |
| 11 | June 22, 2018 | 8.45 ft |
| 12 | December 15, 2011 | 8.33 ft |
| 13 | June 12, 1996 | 8.17 ft |
| 14 | May 24, 1981 | 8.06 ft |
| 15 | December 15, 1997 | 7.85 ft |
| 16 | December 15, 1999 | 7.85 ft |
| 17 | June 2, 2003 | 7.72 ft |
| 18 | June 19, 1982 | 7.63 ft |
| 19 | June 9, 1991 | 7.63 ft |
| 20 | June 19, 1983 | 7.63 ft |
| 21 | December 12, 1986 | 7.60 ft |
| 22 | June 2, 2009 | 7.47 ft |
| 23 | November 15, 1985 | 7.36 ft |
| 24 | December 17, 1979 | 7.32 ft |
| 25 | May 31, 1999 | 7.27 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 22, 2018: 8.45 ft
- May 29, 2018: 8.53 ft
- April 29, 2012: 6.64 ft
- December 15, 2011: 8.33 ft
- June 12, 2011: 9.38 ft
- June 20, 2010: 8.77 ft
- June 2, 2009: 7.47 ft
- June 7, 2008: 7.20 ft
- June 10, 2007: 5.68 ft
- June 12, 2006: 6.97 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamJefferson River at Silver Star at Parsons Bridge
- DownstreamMissouri River at Toston
- Gallatin River at Logan
- East Gallatin River at Manhattan
- Willow Creek (Southwest MT) at Harrison
- East Gallatin River at Bridger Creek near Bozeman
- East Gallatin River at abv Water Recl Fac nr Bozeman
- Madison River at Ennis Lake near McAllister
- Madison River at Powerplant near McAllister
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. 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.