Kootenai River at Bonners Ferry
Idaho — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Boundary County, Idaho on the Kootenai River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 12309500, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
78 ft
Moderate Flood
70 ft
Minor Flood
64 ft
Action Stage
57 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
74 ft
Flooding on Main Street in Bonners Ferry and into the buildings. Seepage through levees increases.
66 ft
Water will begin to encroach upon the lawn of the Kootenai River Inn. Some homes downstream of Bonners Ferry will be cut off from accesss roads.
64 ft
There will be minor flooding along the agricultural lands of the Kootenai Valley due to seepage and high water tables. Some private roads near the levees may also experience minor flooding from seepage.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| May 28, 1961 | 80.13 ft | — |
| May 28, 1961 | 80.13 ft | — |
| May 13, 1956 | 80.1 ft | 125,000 cfs |
| May 13, 1956 | 80.1 ft | 125,000 cfs |
| May 20, 1954 | 78.55 ft | 114,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
BFEI1
River
Kootenai River
County
Boundary, ID
Coordinates
48.6981°N, 116.3125°W
Get Flood Alerts for Kootenai River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Kootenai River at Bonners Ferry?
The Kootenai River at Bonners Ferry gauge is maintained by USGS (site 12309500) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Kootenai River at Bonners Ferry?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Kootenai River at Bonners Ferry is 64 feet. Action stage begins at 57 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 70 feet, and major flooding at 78 feet.
How do I get alerts when Kootenai River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Kootenai River at Bonners Ferry to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Kootenai River at Bonners Ferry gauge located?
The gauge is located in Boundary County, Idaho at coordinates 48.6981°N, 116.3125°W. USGS site number: 12309500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
On This River
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Army Corp of Engineers - Seattle, US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Gauge readings can be affected by backwater from downstream lake.