Montana · river
Big Horn Canal near Street Xavier
Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.
Caution
Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions
Wind
21 mph
gusting to 34 mph
Air temp
59°F
0% chance of rain
River flow
401 cfs
high for this date
Best day to paddle this week
Monday · 100
Today
35
78°
Wed
65
81°
Thu
49
92°
Fri
46
77°
Sat
80
73°
Sun
88
62°
Mon
100
74°
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| Hour | Wind (mph) | Gusts (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| 4a | 20 | 32 |
| 5a | 22 | 34 |
| 6a | 17 | 29 |
| 7a | 14 | 18 |
| 8a | 13 | 30 |
| 9a | 16 | 24 |
| 10a | 17 | 22 |
| 11a | 16 | 19 |
| 12p | 14 | 17 |
| 1p | 14 | 17 |
| 2p | 15 | 19 |
| 3p | 16 | 20 |
Is this flow normal for September 8?
Today's 401 cfs is 32% above the median for this date — which counts as high water here.
The median flow on this date is 303 cfs, across 37 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.
Why this score
- Wind — 21 mph — stay off open water-58
- Gusts — Gusting to 34 mph — 12 mph over sustained-5
- Cold — 59°F — dress for the water, not the air-2
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.
- Paddler discussion on Reddit
Trip reports and local warnings, straight from the source
- Search American Whitewater
Rapid classifications and gauge-linked run descriptions
- Satellite view and access roads
Check parking, put-ins, and what the banks actually look like
- Video from this water
The fastest way to see the character of a run before you drive
- USGS gauge 06286490
Full hydrograph, historical flows, and station metadata
Nearby water
- Bighorn River below Yellowtail Afterbay Dam near Street Xavierunder 1 mi
- Bighorn River at Bridge, at Street Xavier13 mi
- Lodge Grass Creek above Willow Creek Diversion, near Wyola20 mi
- Bighorn River at Two Leggins Bridge, near Hardin26 mi
- Little Bighorn River at State Line near Wyola26 mi
- Little Bighorn River below Pass Creek near Wyola27 mi