Rivers in Montana
Milk River near Saco
Below flood stage
2.86ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 3:00 AM MDT
- Flood stage
- 20.00 ft
- Record crest
- 26.70 ft1986
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 24.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 22.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 20.00 ft |
| Action | 18.00 ft |
- 26.50 ftBjornberg Road north of the Milk River begins to flood.
- 20.00 ftWater starts flooding the Bjornberg Bridge fishing access site on the north side of the river.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 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
15 crests on NOAA’s list since 1978.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 4, 1986 | 26.70 ft |
| 2 | April 14, 2023 | 26.24 ft |
| 3 | October 1, 1986 | 24.45 ft |
| 4 | March 24, 1997 | 24.38 ft |
| 5 | March 21, 1979 | 24.30 ft |
| 6 | April 23, 2018 | 24.22 ft |
| 7 | April 3, 1978 | 24.20 ft |
| 8 | March 29, 1997 | 23.07 ft |
| 9 | March 18, 1996 | 22.95 ft |
| 10 | April 14, 2011 | 22.07 ft |
| 11 | March 25, 2019 | 21.96 ft |
| 12 | October 8, 2016 | 21.61 ft |
| 13 | June 9, 2011 | 21.53 ft |
| 14 | March 16, 1994 | 19.52 ft |
| 15 | June 9, 2013 | 18.83 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 14, 2023: 26.24 ft
- March 25, 2019: 21.96 ft
- April 23, 2018: 24.22 ft
- October 8, 2016: 21.61 ft
- June 9, 2013: 18.83 ft
- June 9, 2011: 21.53 ft
- April 14, 2011: 22.07 ft
- March 29, 1997: 23.07 ft
- March 24, 1997: 24.38 ft
- March 18, 1996: 22.95 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.