Station Name: S F Flathead River nr Columbia Falls MT
Data Source: Water Data - usgc.gov

Elevation Above Sea Level: 3,091 feet

Nearest Address:
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Flathead County

GPS Coordinates: 48.35657778, -114.0378583

Nearby Water Temperatures

Flood Watch issued May 29 at 12:13PM MDT until June 1 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Effective: Fri May 29, 2026, 12:13 PM
Expires: Sat May 30, 2026, 12:00 PM

Heavy rain combined with mountain snowpack melt may cause flows in streams and rivers to increase quickly and reach critical levels. * WHAT...Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt is possible. * WHERE...A portion of northwest Montana, including the following areas, Flathead/Mission Valleys and West Glacier Region. This includes the following Specific Areas... Kalispell and Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier Park. * WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Rockfall and debris flows are also possible in steep terrain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Rainfall of 1 to 2 inches for valley locations with 2 to 4 inches in the terrain are possible late Saturday through Monday. - https://www.weather.gov/mso/hydrology

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

Flood Watch issued May 29 at 11:37AM MDT until June 1 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Effective: Fri May 29, 2026, 11:37 AM
Expires: Sat May 30, 2026, 12:00 PM

...The National Weather Service in Missoula has issued a Flood Watch for the following rivers in Montana... Flathead River At Columbia Falls affecting Flathead County. .Heavy rain combined with mountain snowpack melt may cause flows in rivers to increase quickly and reach critical levels. For the Flathead River...including At Columbia Falls...flooding is possible. * WHAT...Flooding is possible. * WHERE...Flathead River At Columbia Falls. * WHEN...From Saturday morning to Monday morning. * IMPACTS...At 13.0 feet, Farmers crops adjacent to the Flathead River are inundated with water. At 14.0 feet, Flooding of farmers crops adjacent to the Flathead River is likely. Sections of the Steel Bridge Road become inundated with water and impassable. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 10:45 AM MDT Friday the stage was 13.3 feet. - Flood stage is 14.0 feet. Forecast crest is 14.1 feet on Saturday afternoon. - https://www.weather.gov/mso/hydrology

If you are in the watch area, remain alert to possible flooding. Residents and those with interests near the river should monitor rising water levels and be prepared for possible Flood Warnings. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov. The next statement will be issued Saturday afternoon at noon MDT.

Flood Watch issued May 29 at 11:20AM MDT until June 2 at 11:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Effective: Fri May 29, 2026, 11:20 AM
Expires: Sat May 30, 2026, 12:00 PM

...The National Weather Service in Missoula has issued a Flood Watch for the following rivers in Montana... Swan River Near Bigfork affecting Flathead, Lake and Missoula Counties. .Heavy rain combined with mountain snowpack melt may cause flows in rivers to increase quickly and reach critical levels. For the Swan River...including Near Bigfork...flooding is possible. * WHAT...Flooding is possible. * WHERE...Swan River Near Bigfork. * WHEN...From Monday morning to Tuesday evening. * IMPACTS...At 6.5 feet, Flooding affects low lying areas adjacent to the river. At 6.6 feet, Flooding affects low lying areas north of Lion Creek Road and adjacent to the river. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 11:00 AM MDT Friday the stage was 4.8 feet. - Forecast...Flood stage may be reached late Monday morning. - Flood stage is 6.5 feet. Forecast crest is at 6.6 feet on the evening of June 1. - https://www.weather.gov/mso/hydrology

If you are in the watch area, remain alert to possible flooding. Residents and those with interests near the river should monitor rising water levels and be prepared for possible Flood Warnings. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov. The next statement will be issued Saturday afternoon at noon MDT.