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Missouri River at Bismarck water level

River gauge, Missouri River, North Dakota, United States

Directions

Normal for mid-October

Water level

3.79ft Up 0.13 ft over the last 24 hours

Flow
13,000 cfs
Water temperature
55 °F
0 10 20 30 Highest onrecord 31.60 ft Minor floodstage 14.50 ft

History

-051015ftOct 13Oct 14Oct 16Oct 17Oct 19Minor flood stage-051015ftOct 13Oct 16Oct 19Minor flood stage
-051015ftSep 20Sep 27Oct 4Oct 11Oct 19Minor flood stage-051015ftSep 20Oct 4Oct 19Minor flood stage
-051015ftOct 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026Jul 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage-051015ftOct 2025Apr 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage
-0510ftJanMarMayJulSepNov2026-0510ftJanAprJulOct2026

20252026

Water level Normal range (10–90 %) Minor flood stage

What this means

The Missouri River at Bismarck is at 3.79 ft, in the normal range for mid-October.

The median for mid-October is 4.41 ft, based on 128 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.62 ft below typical. It is 10.71 ft below the flood stage of 14.50 ft. On the same day last year the reading was 4.07 ft, a difference of −0.28 ft.

It has risen 0.13 ft over the past 24 hours. There is still 10.71 ft of room before flood stage. In the last month it has stayed between 3.61 ft and 3.84 ft.

Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns. The water temperature at the gauge is 55 °F.

Compared with 128 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date
4.41 ft0.62 ft below the median for this date
Normal for this date
1.13 ft – 8.35 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (128 years of records)
Same day last year
4.07 ft−0.28 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days
3.61 ft – 3.84 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months
3.64 ft – 10.99 ft
Highest on record
31.60 ftMarch 31, 1881

Floating and fishing near Missouri River at Bismarck

Normal flows mean predictable rapids and good access at most put-ins.

Flood stage here is 14.50 ft, 10.71 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.

What happens at each level

22.00 ft
Significant number of homes and businesses on both sides of the river should be expected to flood if not protected.
20.00 ft
Water begins to appear on the lowest stretches of River Road north of Bismarck.
18.00 ft
Homes in the low-lying incorporated parts of Bismarck if not protected risk inundation.
17.00 ft
City of Bismarck experiences flooding of streets in low-lying areas if not protected. Access to Fox Island and other rural developments becomes increasingly difficult. Access to homes in the Briardale, Hoge Island, Ponderosa, and Misty Waters developments north of Bismarck may be cutoff and some homes are taking on water if not protected.
16.00 ft
Before 16 feet, older homes in the Fox Island area may experience flooding. Homes built to this level are at less risk but may have water surrounding them. Access to Fox island is difficult because of water on Riverwood Drive. No significant threat to the incorporated cities of Bismarck and Mandan.
14.50 ft
Flooding of rural areas begins. Inundation of croplands and the potential closure of local boat ramp access is likely. Riverbank erosion rates increase and cause unstable shorelines. If water levels are the result of an icejam south of Bismarck, water levels will be relatively higher near the jam and cause concerns for residents south of Fox Island.
12.50 ft
Unusually high river stage for this reach of the Missouri River. Residents are encouraged to pay close attention to NWS updates, local media, and local emergency management for information concerning why the river is this high and its potential for further rises.
3.79 ft
Right now

Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.

Highest crests on record

RankLevelDate
131.60 ftMarch 31, 1881
231.10 ftJanuary 1, 1887
330.40 ftMarch 14, 1910
427.90 ftApril 6, 1952
527.70 ftApril 8, 1897
627.60 ftApril 8, 1917
727.40 ftJanuary 1, 1884
825.20 ftApril 14, 1899
922.60 ftApril 7, 1913
1022.50 ftMarch 29, 1920

Weather at the gauge

No rain in the last 3 days.

17 Sat 78° 34° – Wind 11 mph
18 Sun 66° 45° – Wind 14 mph
19 Mon 66° 35° – Wind 12 mph
20 Tue 73° 44° – Wind 14 mph
21 Wed 69° 50° – Wind 11 mph
22 Thu 77° 49° – Wind 16 mph
23 Fri 68° 50° 0.15 in, 37% Wind 21 mph

Forecast: Open-Meteo

Sunrise 08:07 AM Sunset 06:51 PM Daylight 10 hr, 43 min First quarter 55%

Map

Other gauges on the Missouri River

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Missouri River above StantonRiver gauge, Missouri River 61.11 ft Very low −0.29 ft 45 mi
Missouri River near StantonRiver gauge, Missouri River 6.94 ft Very low −0.18 ft 41 mi
Missouri River near HenslerRiver gauge, Missouri River 11.90 ft Very low +0.03 ft 36 mi
Missouri River at WashburnRiver gauge, Missouri River 7.96 ft Very low +0.12 ft 34 mi
Missouri River at PriceRiver gauge, Missouri River 16.96 ft Very low −0.02 ft 19 mi
Missouri River above MandanRiver gauge, Missouri River 11.36 ft No reference yet +0.12 ft 4.1 mi
Missouri River below MandanRiver gauge, Missouri River 18.74 ft Very low +0.18 ft 4.5 mi
Missouri River near SchmidtRiver gauge, Missouri River 11.90 ft Low +0.13 ft 12 mi

Nearby gauges

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Drain on Wachter Ave at BismarckRiver gauge, Drain on Wachter Ave 26.18 ft Low −0.01 ft 2.9 mi
Heart River near MandanRiver gauge, Heart River 8.87 ft Below flood stage +0.02 ft 7 mi
Heart River at Stark Bridge near JudsonRiver gauge, Heart River 1.79 ft Very low −0.04 ft 20 mi
Square Butte Creek below CenterRiver gauge, Square Butte Creek 1.05 ft Low −0.01 ft 24 mi
Cannonball River at BreienRiver gauge, Cannonball River 1.75 ft Very low +0.01 ft 31 mi

Questions and answers

Is the Missouri River at Bismarck higher than last year?

No, it is 0.28 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 4.07 ft.

What is flood stage for the Missouri River at Bismarck?

The official flood stage is 14.50 ft. The level is currently 10.71 ft below it.

What is a normal level for the Missouri River at Bismarck in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is 4.41 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 1.13 ft and 8.35 ft, based on 128 years of records.

Is gage height the same as water depth?

No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.

What is the water level of Missouri River at Bismarck today?

On Oct 18, 2026, 09:15 PM CDT, the water level was 3.79 ft. Up 0.13 ft over the last 24 hours.

Is Missouri River at Bismarck rising or falling?

Up 0.13 ft over the last 24 hours. Up 0.08 ft over the last 7 days.

Is the level of Missouri River at Bismarck normal?

Normal for mid-October. Compared with 128 years of daily readings for this time of year.

For specialists

Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
Operator
U.S. Geological Survey
Station code
usgs:06342500 (Agency page)
Coordinates
46.81417, -100.82139 (WGS84)
Vertical datum
NAVD88
Update interval
every 15 minutes
Licence
Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision

Published series

ParameterLast valueTime (UTC)Quality
Water level 3.79 ft 2026-10-19 02:15 Provisional
Flow 13,000 cfs 2026-10-19 02:15 Provisional
Water temperature 55 °F 2026-10-19 02:15 Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: Missouri River at Bismarck (usgs:06342500). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/north-dakota/missouri-river-at-bismarck

How we check values

Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.

Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer