Major Flood
19.5 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
18 ft
Minor Flood
16 ft
Action Stage
15 ft
What Floods at Each Level
18 ft
Flooding affects low lying areas ajacent to the river including county roads and possibly areas in Plains west of Montana Rail Link. Floodwaters also threaten Highway 200 west of Plains and Highway 200 west of Paradise.
16 ft
Flooding affects county roads and low lying areas adjacent to the river.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 4, 1948 | 19.17 ft | 134,000 cfs |
| May 27, 1928 | 18.41 ft | 126,000 cfs |
| Jun 16, 1933 | 18 ft | 120,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
PLNM8
River
Clark Fork River
County
Sanders, MT
Coordinates
47.4297°N, 114.8550°W
Get Flood Alerts for Clark Fork 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 Clark Fork River near Plains?
The Clark Fork River near Plains gauge is maintained by USGS (site 12389000) 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 Clark Fork River near Plains?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Clark Fork River near Plains is 16 feet. Action stage begins at 15 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 18 feet, and major flooding at 19.5 feet.
How do I get alerts when Clark Fork River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Clark Fork River near Plains to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Clark Fork River near Plains gauge located?
The gauge is located in Sanders County, Montana at coordinates 47.4297°N, 114.8550°W. USGS site number: 12389000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Clark Fork River
On This River
Upstream: Clark Fork River at St. Regis
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey