Rivers in Montana
Milk River at Malta
Below flood stage
1.33ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 1:00 PM MDT
- Flood stage
- 16.00 ft
- Record crest
- 23.67 ft1986
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 22.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 19.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 16.00 ft |
| Action | 14.00 ft |
- 20.00 ftFlood water start impacting US Highway 191 north of Malta between US 2 and milepost 2.
- 19.50 ftBuildings on the west and north side of the river begin to flood.
- 19.00 ftCabins along the east bank of the river will begin to be affected by the water.
- 16.00 ftCampground near US 2 bridge begins to flood.
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
14 crests on NOAA’s list since 1907.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 27, 1986 | 23.67 ft |
| 2 | April 11, 1952 | 22.26 ft |
| 3 | March 27, 1918 | 19.80 ft |
| 4 | April 3, 1978 | 19.74 ft |
| 5 | April 10, 1907 | 19.60 ft |
| 6 | April 6, 1917 | 19.40 ft |
| 7 | April 26, 2018 | 18.13 ft |
| 8 | October 7, 2016 | 18.10 ft |
| 9 | March 19, 1979 | 17.77 ft |
| 10 | May 25, 2011 | 17.64 ft |
| 11 | June 7, 2013 | 15.52 ft |
| 12 | April 17, 2023 | 14.68 ft |
| 13 | August 27, 2014 | 14.20 ft |
| 14 | March 26, 1997 | 10.92 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 17, 2023: 14.68 ft
- April 26, 2018: 18.13 ft
- October 7, 2016: 18.10 ft
- August 27, 2014: 14.20 ft
- June 7, 2013: 15.52 ft
- May 25, 2011: 17.64 ft
- March 26, 1997: 10.92 ft
- September 27, 1986: 23.67 ft
- March 19, 1979: 17.77 ft
- April 3, 1978: 19.74 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.
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.