Kayak Love

Montana · river

Kootenai River below Libby Dam near Libby

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

91of 100

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Kootenai River below Libby Dam near Libby
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Libby Dam, Montana (28987547090).jpg by Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, CC BY-SA 2.0. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

10 mph

gusting to 15 mph

Air temp

66°F

3% chance of rain

River flow

6,730 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Wednesday · 100

  • Today

    83

  • Fri

    96

  • Sat

    93

  • Sun

    93

  • Mon

    84

  • Tue

    89

  • Wed

    100

    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)
1p1015
2p1015
3p1219
4p1117
5p917
6p914
7p713
8p48
9p36
10p24
11p33
12a33

Is this flow normal for September 3?

Today's 6,730 cfs is 16% below the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 8,020 cfs, across 53 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind10 mph — noticeable but manageable-9

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

All paddling spots in Montana