Rivers in Montana
Yellowstone River near Sidney
Below flood stage
2.96ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 2:00 AM MDT
- Flood stage
- 19.00 ft
- Record crest
- 24.03 ft1994
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 21.70 ft |
| Moderate flood | 20.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 19.00 ft |
| Action | 17.00 ft |
- 28.20 ft Ice jam will threaten city bridges.
- 28.20 ft Ice jam will threaten city bridges.
- 24.00 ft Severe ice jamming may threaten city bridges.
- 21.00 ftRichland Park north of Sidney begins to flood.
- 19.00 ft Flood stage. Expect low-land flooding to occur.
- 14.00 ftAt stages of 14.0 feet and higher combined with 60,000 cfs or more will create under tow which can sweep people under water.
- 2.80 ftAt river levels of 2.8 feet and lower, MDU power plant in Sidney needs to shut down due to lack of water in its intake pipe for the cooling towers.
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
35 crests on NOAA’s list since 1912.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 6, 1994 | 24.03 ft |
| 2 | March 19, 2011 | 22.08 ft |
| 3 | May 25, 2011 | 21.92 ft |
| 4 | March 22, 1947 | 21.85 ft |
| 5 | February 17, 1971 | 21.67 ft |
| 6 | June 16, 1965 | 21.65 ft |
| 7 | March 21, 1969 | 21.00 ft |
| 8 | May 23, 1978 | 20.02 ft |
| 9 | February 27, 1986 | 19.60 ft |
| 10 | March 24, 2019 | 19.59 ft |
| 11 | March 19, 1979 | 19.57 ft |
| 12 | March 14, 1996 | 19.48 ft |
| 13 | March 21, 1959 | 19.14 ft |
| 14 | June 17, 1997 | 18.73 ft |
| 15 | March 26, 2018 | 18.29 ft |
| 16 | March 2, 2025 | 17.83 ft |
| 17 | June 2, 2018 | 16.87 ft |
| 18 | June 21, 1944 | 16.78 ft |
| 19 | June 17, 1996 | 16.47 ft |
| 20 | March 12, 2014 | 15.93 ft |
| 21 | June 30, 2008 | 14.64 ft |
| 22 | June 10, 2017 | 14.41 ft |
| 23 | June 26, 1999 | 14.27 ft |
| 24 | June 5, 2003 | 13.53 ft |
| 25 | June 29, 2005 | 13.49 ft |
Most recent crests
- March 2, 2025: 17.83 ft
- March 24, 2019: 19.59 ft
- June 2, 2018: 16.87 ft
- March 26, 2018: 18.29 ft
- June 10, 2017: 14.41 ft
- March 12, 2014: 15.93 ft
- May 25, 2011: 21.92 ft
- March 19, 2011: 22.08 ft
- June 30, 2008: 14.64 ft
- June 29, 2005: 13.49 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.