Kayak Love

Montana · river

Big Hole River below Big Lake Creek at Wisdom

Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.

60of 100

Fair

Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Big Hole River below Big Lake Creek at Wisdom
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Wisdom MT - aerial.jpg by Sam Beebe, CC BY 2.0. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

2 mph

gusting to 3 mph

Air temp

32°F

4% chance of rain

River flow

18.9 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Monday · 98

  • Today

    79

  • Wed

    89

  • Thu

    37

  • Fri

    75

  • Sat

    60

  • Sun

    52

  • Mon

    98

    Best

Scored from each day's peak forecast wind, heat, and rain chance — river flow isn't forecastable, so check back before you load the boat.

Wind, next 12 hours

mph
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
8a23
9a27
10a46
11a38
12p411
1p913
2p914
3p1315
4p1115
5p1214
6p1113
7p912

Is this flow normal for September 8?

Today's 18.9 cfs is 30% below the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 27 cfs, across 36 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind2 mph — calm, ideal for any boat±0
  • Cold32°F — immersion gear required, cold shock risk-40

We don't have launch notes for this one

This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, so the flow and weather are real — but we haven't verified where to put in, what the hazards are, or whether this stretch is legal or sensible to paddle. We'd rather say that than invent it. The links below are where to find out.

We also don't have a verified safe-flow range here, so the Paddle Score reflects weather only. Judge the flow number against local knowledge, not against our score.

Do your own homework

We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.

Nearby water

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