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SwedenYellowstone River at Billings MT water level
River gauge, Yellowstone River, Montana, United States
Right now
Below flood stage
Water level
- Flow
- 3,090 cfs
- Water temperature
- 49 °F
History
What this means
The Yellowstone River at Billings MT is at 2.93 ft, in the normal range.
It is 10.57 ft below the flood stage of 13.50 ft.
It has dropped 0.04 ft over the past 24 hours. In the last month it has stayed between 2.92 ft and 3.05 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns. The water temperature at the gauge is 49 °F.
Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Highest on record
- 16.37 ftJune 15, 2022
Floating and fishing near Yellowstone River at Billings MT
Normal flows mean predictable rapids and good access at most put-ins.
Flood stage here is 13.50 ft, 10.57 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.
What happens at each level
- 13.10 ft
- Water flows over Cerise road in east Billings across the river from Metra Park.
- 12.50 ft
- Minor flooding of several homes in Arrow Island subdivision begins.
- 2.93 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
Chance of at least minor flooding in October to December: < 5 %.
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16.37 ft | June 15, 2022 |
| 2 | 15.00 ft | June 12, 1997 |
| 3 | 14.60 ft | June 19, 1974 |
| 4 | 14.37 ft | July 2, 2011 |
| 5 | 13.73 ft | June 12, 1996 |
| 6 | 13.48 ft | July 7, 1975 |
| 7 | 13.47 ft | May 28, 2018 |
| 8 | 13.25 ft | June 30, 1982 |
| 9 | 13.22 ft | June 2, 2020 |
| 10 | 13.04 ft | May 30, 2014 |
Weather at the gauge
No rain in the last 3 days.
Forecast: Open-Meteo
Map
Other gauges on the Yellowstone River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone River at Yellowstone Lake Outlet YNPRiver gauge, Yellowstone River | 2.92 ft | Below flood stage | −0.02 ft | 126 mi |
| Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs MTRiver gauge, Yellowstone River | 1.29 ft | Below flood stage | −0.02 ft | 122 mi |
| Yellowstone River near LivingstonRiver gauge, Yellowstone River | −0.07 ft | Below flood stage | +0.01 ft | 102 mi |
| Yellowstone River at Forsyth MTRiver gauge, Yellowstone River | 1.70 ft | Below flood stage | −0.04 ft | 91 mi |
| Yellowstone River at Miles CityRiver gauge, Yellowstone River | 3.10 ft | Below flood stage | −0.04 ft | 132 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarks Fork Yellowstone River at Edgar MTRiver gauge, Clarks Fork Yellowstone River | 1.85 ft | Below flood stage | −0.01 ft | 29 mi |
| Bighorn River at Two Leggins Bridge, near HardinRiver gauge, Bighorn River | 1,780 cfs | Very low | −30.0 cfs | 41 mi |
| Musselshell River above Big Coulee Creek at Lavina MTRiver gauge, Musselshell River | 1.30 ft | Below flood stage | −0.03 ft | 41 mi |
| Bighorn River at bridge, at St. XavierRiver gauge, Bighorn River | 1,720 cfs | Very low | −20.0 cfs | 42 mi |
| Bighorn Lake YellowtailReservoir | 3,626.18 ft | Normal | 42 mi | |
| Bighorn R below Yellowtail Afterbay Dam near St. XavierRiver gauge, Bighorn R | 1,590 cfs | Low | +30.0 cfs | 43 mi |
| Bighorn River and BIA Canal near St. XavierReservoir | 3,188.24 ft | High | 43 mi | |
| Willow Creek near Boyd MTRiver gauge, Willow Creek | 24.7 cfs | Low | ±0 | 45 mi |
Questions and answers
What is flood stage for the Yellowstone River at Billings MT?
The official flood stage is 13.50 ft. The level is currently 10.57 ft below it.
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 Yellowstone River at Billings MT today?
On Oct 19, 2026, 06:00 AM MDT, the water level was 2.93 ft. Down 0.04 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is Yellowstone River at Billings MT rising or falling?
Down 0.04 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is the level of Yellowstone River at Billings MT normal?
Below flood stage. Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge.
What is the highest water level ever recorded at Yellowstone River at Billings MT?
The highest level on record is 16.37 ft on June 15, 2022.
How often is this data updated?
The U.S. Geological Survey publishes a new reading every 15 minutes. This page refreshes within minutes of each update.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:06214500(Agency page)- Coordinates
45.80012, -108.46803(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
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | 2.93 ft | 2026-10-19 12:00 | Provisional |
| Flow | 3,090 cfs | 2026-10-19 12:00 | Provisional |
| Water temperature | 49 °F | 2026-10-19 12:00 | Provisional |
Download
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Yellowstone River at Billings MT (usgs:06214500). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/montana/yellowstone-river-at-billings-mt
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