USGS Station 06287000 • Lat 45.3169°, Long -107.9189° • Elevation Montana Basin
Flow is in the upper quartile (above 75th percentile) or flood stage. Powerful hydraulics and washed-out features may be present. Assess in person.
Flow is significantly elevated. Wading can be hazardous at higher percentiles, and water may be off-color. Always assess in person.
Conditions change quickly. Always verify locally and use your own judgment before entering any body of water. This data is informational only and provided as-is.
Pins show this gauge (highlighted) and up to 5 nearby USGS stations. Tap any pin or use the list to check conditions upstream or downstream.
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Gallatin River at Logan, MT
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Guide or outfit trips near Bighorn River below Yellowtail Afterbay Dam near St. Xavier, MT?
Connect directly with river runners checking water levels on station #06287000.
Verified answers based on USGS station #06287000 live telemetry and historical statistics.
The current water level (stage height) at Bighorn River below Yellowtail Afterbay Dam near St. Xavier, MT (USGS #06287000) is 61.13 ft with a streamflow discharge of 1,680 CFS. Real-time condition is rated Flood Risk (slightly below average for this specific day of the year) and stream levels are holding steady.
Normal seasonal flow for Bighorn River below Yellowtail Afterbay Dam near St. Xavier, MT is determined from decades of USGS daily-mean discharge percentiles. Flow between the 10th percentile (1,530 CFS) and 75th percentile (3,470 CFS) is classified as Normal, with the historical daily mean flow being 2,010 CFS for this date.
The official National Weather Service (NWS) flood stage for USGS #06287000 is 12 feet. With current water level at 61.13 ft, this station is currently at or above FLOOD STAGE. Take extreme caution.
USGS gauge #06287000 (Bighorn River below Yellowtail Afterbay Dam near St. Xavier, MT) is located at latitude 45.3169°, longitude -107.9189° in Montana. Data is transmitted via USGS GOES satellite telemetry every 15 to 60 minutes and refreshed automatically on ClearGauge every 15 minutes.
Current flow is rated Flood Risk. DANGEROUS FLOOD STAGE: Water velocities are hazardous, debris may be in transit, and boat ramps/access points may be submerged. Avoid on-water recreation. Always inspect rapids in person, wear a USCG-approved PFD, and check weather alerts before launching.
National Water Information System (NWIS) • Automated satellite telemetry transmission every 15 to 60 minutes.
Live readings via USGS satellite telemetry, updated every 15–60 minutes. Low / Normal / High verdicts are based on the 10th and 75th percentile discharge thresholds from the USGS Daily Statistics Service (decades of approved daily-mean data). Flood Risk uses the NWS published flood stage where available. Full methodology →
River Safety Notice
River conditions can change abruptly due to upstream reservoir releases, sudden mountain thunderstorms, flash flooding, and seasonal snowmelt surges. Always scout rapids prior to commitment, wear an approved USCG Type III/V Personal Flotation Device (PFD), carry appropriate rescue gear, and check local emergency management bulletins before launching.
