Yellowstone River at Livingston, MT
USGS gauge 06192500 · drainage 3,551 sq mi · observed Oct 16, 7:00 PM MDT · 80 min old
Last 7 days Live gauge
Source: USGS Water Data API (continuous values), observed to Oct 16, 7:00 PM MDT. Shaded band: 25th to 75th percentile of USGS daily statistics for each date; dashed: median. Flow in cfs.
Rate of rise and fall Live gauge
| Window | Flow then | Change to latest | Gage height then | Gage height change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 h | 1,680 cfs | ▼ -20 cfs (-1.2%) | 0.01 ft | -0.03 ft |
| 3 h | 1,680 cfs | ▼ -20 cfs (-1.2%) | 0.01 ft | -0.03 ft |
| 6 h | 1,690 cfs | ▼ -30 cfs (-1.8%) | 0.02 ft | -0.04 ft |
| 12 h | 1,690 cfs | ▼ -30 cfs (-1.8%) | 0.02 ft | -0.04 ft |
| 24 h | 1,710 cfs | ▼ -50 cfs (-2.9%) | 0.06 ft | -0.08 ft |
Last 7 days
| Measure | Flow | Time | Relative to latest reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest reading | 1,930 cfs | Oct 12, 11:30 PM MDT | 92 h earlier |
| Lowest reading | 1,490 cfs | Oct 10, 4:45 PM MDT | 146 h earlier |
Source: computed from USGS continuous readings (Water Data API) to Oct 16, 7:00 PM MDT. Each row compares the latest reading with the reading closest to that many hours earlier; the arrow is steady (▬) when the change is within 1%.
Daily mean flow Live gauge
| Date (gauge-local) | Mean flow | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 16, 2026 | 1,685 cfs | |
| Oct 15, 2026 | 1,730 cfs | |
| Oct 14, 2026 | 1,808 cfs | |
| Oct 13, 2026 | 1,898 cfs | |
| Oct 12, 2026 | 1,804 cfs | |
| Oct 11, 2026 | 1,605 cfs | |
| Oct 10, 2026 | 1,544 cfs | |
| Oct 9, 2026 | 1,562 cfs | |
| Oct 8, 2026 | – | Partial day |
Source: USGS Water Data API (continuous values); each mean uses readings on that gauge-local date, shown only with at least 80% of expected readings.
The same 50 days in earlier years Historical record
━ 2026 ╌ 2025 ╌ 2024 ╌ 2023
| Year | Mean flow | Highest day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,760 cfs | 2,160 cfs |
| 2025 | 1,504 cfs | 1,840 cfs |
| 2024 | 1,813 cfs | 2,530 cfs |
| 2023 | 2,287 cfs | 2,700 cfs |
Source: USGS daily mean flows (Water Data API). Each line is the 50 days from Aug 27 to Oct 15, shifted to the same calendar dates in earlier years; gaps are days without a published value. Recent days are provisional.
Compared with this gauge’s record Historical record
| Measure | Value | When or rank |
|---|---|---|
| Peak daily flow, last 7 days | 1,890 cfs | Oct 13, 2026 |
| Last time daily flow was this high or higher | 1,920 cfs | Sep 4, 2026 (39 days earlier) |
| Last day above the 90th percentile for its date, before this peak | May 14, 2026 | 5 months earlier |
| Days above the 75th percentile for their date | 0 of 30 | last 30 days |
| October 1 to 15, mean flow | 1,655 cfs | rank 89 highest of 103 years |
| Peak daily mean compared with annual instantaneous peaks of record | Below the lowest of 101 | lowest annual peak 7,450 cfs |
Source: USGS daily mean flows (Water Data API), 1897 to 2026 (37,207 days), data through Oct 15, 2026, computed 2026-10-17; method record-v1. Percentiles are USGS daily statistics. Recent days are provisional.
Largest annual peaks Historical record
Ten largest peaks of record
| Date | Peak flow | Gage height at peak |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 14, 2022 | 55,200 cfs | 11.63 ft |
| Jun 30, 2011 | 40,600 cfs | 10.15 ft |
| Jun 6, 1997 | 38,000 cfs | 10.72 ft |
| Jun 10, 1996 | 37,100 cfs | 9.97 ft |
| Jun 17, 1974 | 36,300 cfs | 9.21 ft |
| May 27, 2018 | 33,600 cfs | 10.18 ft |
| May 29, 2014 | 32,700 cfs | 9.70 ft |
| Jun 20, 1943 | 30,600 cfs | 9.34 ft |
| Jun 1, 2020 | 30,600 cfs | 10.20 ft |
| Jun 11, 1902 | 30,100 cfs | – |
Five most recent annual peaks
| Date | Peak flow | Gage height at peak |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 2, 2025 | 20,500 cfs | 7.43 ft |
| Jun 10, 2024 | 24,100 cfs | 7.91 ft |
| May 23, 2023 | 22,100 cfs | 7.55 ft |
| Jun 14, 2022 | 55,200 cfs | 11.63 ft |
| Jun 6, 2021 | 18,500 cfs | 7.79 ft |
Source: USGS annual peak streamflow (Water Data API), 101 annual peaks, 1897 to 2025. A water year's peak is its highest instantaneous flow.
Historic crests Official NWS
| Date | Crest stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 12, 2022 | 11.63 ft | 55,200 cfs |
| Jun 5, 1997 | 10.72 ft | 38,000 cfs |
| May 31, 2020 | 10.20 ft | 30,600 cfs |
| May 26, 2018 | 10.18 ft | 33,600 cfs |
| Jun 29, 2011 | 10.15 ft | 40,600 cfs |
| Jun 9, 1996 | 9.97 ft | 37,100 cfs |
| May 28, 2014 | 9.70 ft | 32,700 cfs |
| Jun 5, 2017 | 9.62 ft | 26,300 cfs |
| Jun 24, 2008 | 9.52 ft | 26,300 cfs |
| May 31, 2003 | 9.46 ft | 27,200 cfs |
Source: National Weather Service forecast point LIVM8 (Yellowstone River near Livingston), historic crests as published by the NWS; the NWS may have recorded them on an older gauge datum. The USGS annual peaks above are a separate record and can differ in date, flow and datum.
Gage height to flow rating Historical record
Line: current USGS rating, gage height (ft, horizontal) to flow (cfs, vertical). ● latest reading, -0.02 ft and 1,660 cfs.
Source: USGS rating table for the gauge (NWIS rating depot, expanded shifted rating, 1,225 rows, thinned to 96 points), fetched Oct 16, 8:11 PM MDT. Ratings are provisional and change with the channel.
Snow water equivalent at nearby SNOTEL stations Weather station
| Station | Distance | Elevation | Snow water now | Median for date | Of median | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lick Creek | 21 mi | 6,880 ft | 0.3 in | 0.2 in | 150% | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Shower Falls | 23 mi | 8,060 ft | 0.8 in | 1.4 in | 57% | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Mill Creek | 24 mi | 7,420 ft | 0.2 in | – | – | Oct 15, 2026 |
Source: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service SNOTEL stations within 37 miles of the gauge (AWDB web service), fetched Oct 16, 7:42 PM MDT. Provisional data; stations may not drain to this gauge.
Water temperature by month Historical record
Source: USGS daily mean water temperature (parameter 00010, Water Data API), 1999 to 2026, mean of all published daily values in each calendar month (days counted under each month; (few) means fewer than 150 daily values).
Flood stages Official NWS
| Category | Gage height (ft) |
|---|---|
| Minor | 10.0 ft |
| Moderate | 10.5 ft |
| Major | 11.0 ft |
Source: National Weather Service forecast point LIVM8 (Yellowstone River near Livingston), fetched Oct 16, 8:14 PM MDT. Compare with the gage height above; thresholds belong to that forecast point.
Flood impacts by stage Official NWS
| Stage | National Weather Service impact statement |
|---|---|
| 9.0 ft | Water starts to impinge on island road. |
| 9.5 ft | Some minor overflow occurs along the lowest areas throughout the reach of the river and across the road connecting the island with the rest of town. + |
| 10.0 ft | Roads to mill creek, cinnebar basin and trail creek are covered with water. Water will also be over portions of yellowstone park road for 800 yards, 3.5 miles south of town, including a few farm homes. Flooding over the road to 9th street island with water reaching some homes. |
Source: National Weather Service forecast point LIVM8 (Yellowstone River near Livingston). Statements are quoted from the NWS and describe that forecast point.
Sources and method
- Data: U.S. Geological Survey. Terms
- River forecasts and flood stages: National Weather Service. National Water Model guidance: NOAA. Terms
- Snow data: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Terms
USGS daily statistics, downloaded 2026-10-12
Percentile method: trailing 24 h mean vs USGS daily percentiles for calendar date 10-16.
Percentile is estimated from USGS published daily percentiles. Readings are provisional until USGS reviews them. Not endorsed by USGS, NOAA or the National Weather Service. Not for navigation or safety-of-life decisions; the absence of an alert is not a statement that conditions are safe.