Rivers in Montana
North Fork Flathead River at Canadian Border
Below flood stage
4.49ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 2:45 AM MDT
- Flood stage
- 10.50 ft
- Forecast crest
- 4.49 ftTue, Sep 22, 6:00 AM MDT
- Record crest
- 10.62 ft1974
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 11.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 11.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 10.50 ft |
| Action | 9.50 ft |
- 12.90 ftCabins adjacent to the river become surrounded with water from the Canadian Border to Polebridge.
- 10.50 ftFlooding affects low lying areas adjacent to the river. County roads from the Canadian Border to Polebridge become inundated with water.
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 21, 2026.
Crest history
10 crests on NOAA’s list since 1954.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 17, 1974 | 10.62 ft |
| 2 | May 13, 2013 | 10.62 ft |
| 3 | May 20, 1954 | 10.44 ft |
| 4 | May 25, 2008 | 10.34 ft |
| 5 | June 18, 2014 | 10.17 ft |
| 6 | May 17, 2018 | 10.01 ft |
| 7 | May 31, 2002 | 10.00 ft |
| 8 | June 8, 2011 | 9.90 ft |
| 9 | May 13, 2025 | 8.23 ft |
| 10 | December 11, 2025 | 7.43 ft |
Most recent crests
- December 11, 2025: 7.43 ft
- May 13, 2025: 8.23 ft
- May 17, 2018: 10.01 ft
- June 18, 2014: 10.17 ft
- May 13, 2013: 10.62 ft
- June 8, 2011: 9.90 ft
- May 25, 2008: 10.34 ft
- May 31, 2002: 10.00 ft
- June 17, 1974: 10.62 ft
- May 20, 1954: 10.44 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- Tobacco River
- Kelly Creek at Lake McDonald
- Grinnell Creek at Many Glacier
- North Fork Flathead River at Columbia Falls
- Swiftcurrent Creek at Swiftcurrent Lake at Many Glacier
- Swiftcurrent Creek at Many Glacier near Babb
- Middle Fork Flathead River at West Glacier
- Swiftcurrent Creek at Sherburne Reservoir near Babb
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.