Rivermatics

USGS Streamgage 06342500

Missouri River at Bismarck, ND

Missouri River at Bismarck, ND is USGS streamgage 06342500 in North Dakota, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 10130101. It sits on the Missouri River, alongside 51 other gauges Rivermatics tracks on the same river. It drains a watershed of about 186,400 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1881. Typical flow runs near 21,993.5 cfs in July and 19,640 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July. Rivermatics issues a daily machine-learned flow outlook for this gauge, reaching 14 days ahead, alongside daily high and low water-temperature forecasts.

View live conditions & forecast →

Gauge details

State
North Dakota
Drainage area
186,400 sq mi
Gauge elevation
1,624 ft
Subbasin (HUC-8)
10130101
Coordinates
46.81417, -100.82139
USGS site number
06342500
Records begin
1881-03-31 (145 years)
Rivermatics forecast
14-day flow outlook + water temperature

14-day flow forecast

Based on observations through for Missouri River at Bismarck, ND. Each day carries a median estimate and the band the model expects the flow to fall within — not a single number to plan against. Forecasts are re-issued daily; see the live screen for the current outlook.

Forecast daily mean discharge in cubic feet per second, by date
Date Low p10 Expected p50 High p90 Range
17,207 17,409 17,617
17,081 17,396 17,708
16,967 17,367 17,751
16,887 17,344 17,780
16,764 17,310 17,783
16,689 17,298 17,807
16,532 17,263 17,783
16,547 17,273 17,859
16,544 17,271 17,915
16,511 17,242 17,900
16,446 17,204 17,871
16,366 17,170 17,856
16,242 17,128 17,817
16,230 17,104 17,806

All values in cubic feet per second (cfs). Estimates only — do not use them for navigation or for any safety, rescue, or emergency decision.

Typical flow by month

Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 73 years of data), averaged within each month. These describe the historical normal range — they are not a forecast and not today's reading.

Historical monthly discharge percentiles in cubic feet per second
Month Low p10 Typical p50 High p90 Range
January 14,329 22,122.6 28,945.2
February 13,931 24,472.4 32,348.3
March 12,896.8 20,490.3 31,245.2
April 12,143.3 19,640 31,250
May 12,500 20,974.2 37,416.1
June 14,586.7 22,163.3 40,463.3
July 14,587.1 21,993.5 39,841.9
August 14,622.6 22,232.3 40,045.2
September 12,130 20,033.3 37,413.3
October 10,977.4 16,509.7 33,019.4
November 11,056.7 17,800 32,793.3
December 13,132.3 19,180.6 27,183.9

All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).

Common questions

When does Missouri River at Bismarck, ND normally run highest?
February, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 24,472.4 cfs, against 16,509.7 cfs in October, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
What is a normal flow for Missouri River at Bismarck, ND?
It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 22,122.6 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 14,329 and 28,945.2 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
How long has Missouri River at Bismarck, ND been measured?
Discharge records at USGS site 06342500 begin in 1881, about 145 years, covering roughly 9,200 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
Is there a flow forecast for Missouri River at Bismarck, ND?
Yes. Rivermatics trains a machine-learned model — a temporal-fusion transformer — on this basin's observed flows, weather, and snowpack, and issues a daily flow outlook reaching 14 days ahead: a median estimate inside a confidence band, not a single number to bet on. A companion model forecasts each day's water-temperature high and low. Every forecast is scored against days the model never trained on, and that track record is published on the live gauge screen. Open live conditions to see the current outlook.
Where is Missouri River at Bismarck, ND?
The gauge sits at 46.81417, -100.82139, in North Dakota, in hydrologic subbasin 10130101, at an elevation of about 1,624 feet, draining roughly 186,400 square miles.
Can I use Missouri River at Bismarck, ND data for flood or safety decisions?
No. Rivermatics provides estimates, not guarantees, and the readings and forecasts here may be delayed, inaccurate, or wrong. Do not use them for navigation or for any safety, rescue, or emergency decision. Check the National Weather Service and USGS directly, and use your own judgment.

Upstream and downstream on the Missouri River

Every gauge Rivermatics tracks on this river, ordered by drainage area — upstream first. See the Missouri River in full.

Other gauges in this subbasin