Montana · river
Gallatin River near Gallatin Gateway
Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.
Fair
Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions
Wind
13 mph
gusting to 30 mph
Air temp
70°F
23% chance of rain
River flow
459 cfs
normal for this date
Best day to paddle this week
Thursday · 94
Today
53
78°
Tue
69
82°
Wed
87
85°
Thu
94
90°
Best
Fri
75
93°
Sat
59
93°
Sun
61
90°
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) |
|---|---|---|
| 9p | 14 | 30 |
| 10p | 10 | 18 |
| 11p | 9 | 9 |
| 12a | 8 | 11 |
| 1a | 9 | 11 |
| 2a | 8 | 9 |
| 3a | 5 | 4 |
| 4a | 5 | 5 |
| 5a | 7 | 7 |
| 6a | 6 | 3 |
| 7a | 6 | 3 |
| 8a | 3 | 1 |
Is this flow normal for August 18?
Today's 459 cfs is 14% below the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.
The median flow on this date is 536 cfs, across 136 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 — 13 mph — hard work, whitecaps likely-18
- Gusts — Gusting to 30 mph — 18 mph over sustained-15
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 06043500
Full hydrograph, historical flows, and station metadata
Nearby water
- Hyalite Creek at Hyalite River South near Bozeman11 mi
- Gallatin River above Deer Creek, near Big Sky14 mi
- Madison River near Norris16 mi
- Madison River above Powerplant near Mcallister18 mi
- Madison River below Ennis Lake near Mcallister18 mi
- East Gallatin River above Water Reclamation Fa near Bozeman19 mi