Rivers in Montana
Swan River near Bigfork
Below flood stage
2.46ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 1:00 AM MDT
- Flood stage
- 6.50 ft
- Forecast crest
- 2.49 ftTue, Sep 22, 6:00 AM MDT
- Record crest
- 7.34 ft1974
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 8.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 7.50 ft |
| Minor flood | 6.50 ft |
| Action | 6.00 ft |
- 7.00 ftFlooding is possible in the Rippling Waters area near Ferndale.
- 6.60 ftFlooding affects low lying areas north of Lion Creek Road and adjacent to the river.
- 6.50 ftFlooding affects low lying areas adjacent to the river.
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
23 crests on NOAA’s list since 1933.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 20, 1974 | 7.34 ft |
| 2 | May 18, 1997 | 7.27 ft |
| 3 | May 24, 1948 | 7.12 ft |
| 4 | June 18, 1933 | 7.00 ft |
| 5 | June 10, 1964 | 6.98 ft |
| 6 | June 22, 1959 | 6.72 ft |
| 7 | June 22, 2022 | 6.61 ft |
| 8 | June 8, 1970 | 6.58 ft |
| 9 | June 4, 1956 | 6.42 ft |
| 10 | May 29, 1961 | 6.38 ft |
| 11 | May 29, 2018 | 6.27 ft |
| 12 | June 12, 1972 | 6.25 ft |
| 13 | July 2, 2011 | 6.20 ft |
| 14 | May 27, 2021 | 6.19 ft |
| 15 | June 1, 1986 | 6.15 ft |
| 16 | May 11, 1947 | 6.11 ft |
| 17 | May 15, 2013 | 6.08 ft |
| 18 | June 2, 2020 | 6.07 ft |
| 19 | June 18, 2006 | 6.06 ft |
| 20 | May 27, 1958 | 6.05 ft |
| 21 | June 23, 1950 | 6.01 ft |
| 22 | June 20, 1965 | 6.00 ft |
| 23 | June 2, 2026 | 5.76 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 2, 2026: 5.76 ft
- June 22, 2022: 6.61 ft
- May 27, 2021: 6.19 ft
- June 2, 2020: 6.07 ft
- May 29, 2018: 6.27 ft
- May 15, 2013: 6.08 ft
- July 2, 2011: 6.20 ft
- June 18, 2006: 6.06 ft
- May 18, 1997: 7.27 ft
- June 1, 1986: 6.15 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.