Clark Fork above Missoula MT: river conditions

USGS gauge 12340500 · near East Missoula, MT

NWS forecast for this spot

Numbers are provisional real-time data. We don't rate rivers as safe or unsafe. Check local conditions, posted signs and official advisories (NWS warnings, park and dam-release notices) before you launch.

Kayak types for this river

We don't have verified river-class or character data for this stretch, so this is based only on USGS flow. Typical flow is about 1,490 cfs (median of daily medians, USGS daily statistics 1930–2026). In spring the 90th-percentile flow reaches about 9.0× that, so boats made for calm water (recreational sit-inside, inflatable, foldable, tandem) aren't suited at typical high spring flows; sit-on-top, fishing and touring kayaks handle moving water better (REI kayak guide).

• Sit-on-top: Pelican Bandit 100NXT (max 300 lb)
• Fishing: Eddyline Sandpiper 130 (max 390 lb)
• Touring: Wilderness Systems Tsunami 140 with Rudder (max 325 lb)

Check today's conditions for your kayak
Flow, wind, water temperature, flood stage and NWS alerts

Save to My rivers

Documented hazards near this gauge

When flow is high: above the 90th percentile for the date or near NWS flood stage, expect more floating debris and strainers (downed trees that let water through but trap people and boats). Steer well clear of them (PA Fish and Boat Commission). Today's check flags this.

No documented hazards found in official sources. Scout before you go.

Wildlife

Verified presence within 25 km since 2000, from openly licensed (CC0 or CC BY) GBIF occurrence records (2026-10-26):

• Black bear (21 records). Keep food and trash packed away at launches and campsites, and give bears plenty of room. Source: National Park Service, Bear safety.
• Moose (4 records). Give moose a wide berth, especially cows with calves; don't approach along the bank. Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Aggressive moose.

Occurrence data: GBIF.org, records licensed CC0 or CC BY 4.0; attribution to the original datasets is listed on each GBIF record.

Water quality

We don't yet have harmful algal bloom (HAB) advisories for this spot. Check the Montana HAB or beach advisory program before contact with the water, and keep pets out of discolored or scummy water (EPA harmful algal blooms).

Cold water

Montana paddling rules
Registration, permits, life jackets and AIS stickers

Float time estimator
How long a stretch of river might take

Cold water and life jacket guide
From NWS and Coast Guard guidance

Data: USGS (provisional, real-time; percentiles from USGS daily statistics 1930–2026) · Forecast: NOAA/NWS.