USGS Streamgage 12323250
Silver Bow Creek below Blacktail Creek, at Butte, MT
Silver Bow Creek below Blacktail Creek, at Butte, MT is USGS streamgage 12323250 in Montana, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 17010201. It sits on the Silver Bow Creek, alongside 3 other gauges Rivermatics tracks on the same river. It drains a watershed of about 125 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1983. Typical flow runs near 19 cfs in July and 29.2 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- Montana
- Drainage area
- 125 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 5,408 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 17010201
- Coordinates
- 45.99917, -112.57732
- USGS site number
- 12323250
- Records begin
- 1983-10-01 (43 years)
14-day flow forecast
Based on observations through for Silver Bow Creek below Blacktail Creek, at Butte, MT. 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.
| Date | Low p10 | Expected p50 | High p90 | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.2 | 15.8 | 16.6 | ||
| 14.7 | 15.7 | 16.7 | ||
| 14.4 | 15.5 | 16.5 | ||
| 14.2 | 15.4 | 16.7 | ||
| 14.2 | 15.5 | 17 | ||
| 14.3 | 15.8 | 17.7 | ||
| 14.3 | 15.9 | 18.2 | ||
| 14.1 | 15.7 | 17.9 | ||
| 13.9 | 15.5 | 17.5 | ||
| 13.5 | 15.3 | 17.1 | ||
| 13.3 | 15.1 | 17 | ||
| 13.3 | 15.2 | 17.2 | ||
| 13.3 | 15.2 | 17.4 | ||
| 13.4 | 15.3 | 17.6 |
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 43 years of data), averaged within each month. These describe the historical normal range — they are not a forecast and not today's reading.
| Month | Low p10 | Typical p50 | High p90 | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14.1 | 17 | 23.8 | |
| February | 14.6 | 18.1 | 25 | |
| March | 16.9 | 23.1 | 38.1 | |
| April | 18.5 | 29.2 | 47 | |
| May | 17.7 | 33.3 | 58.4 | |
| June | 16.3 | 28.4 | 73.6 | |
| July | 13.7 | 19 | 38.2 | |
| August | 13.4 | 17.2 | 29.3 | |
| September | 14.4 | 18.6 | 29.6 | |
| October | 15.5 | 20.4 | 29.9 | |
| November | 16 | 20.2 | 27.4 | |
| December | 15 | 17.8 | 23.8 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Silver Bow Creek below Blacktail Creek, at Butte, MT normally run highest?
- May, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 33.3 cfs, against 17 cfs in January, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Silver Bow Creek below Blacktail Creek, at Butte, MT?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 17 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 14.1 and 23.8 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Silver Bow Creek below Blacktail Creek, at Butte, MT been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 12323250 begin in 1983, about 43 years, covering roughly 9,201 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Silver Bow Creek below Blacktail Creek, at Butte, MT?
- The gauge sits at 45.99917, -112.57732, in Montana, in hydrologic subbasin 17010201, at an elevation of about 5,408 feet, draining roughly 125 square miles.
- Can I use Silver Bow Creek below Blacktail Creek, at Butte, MT 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 Silver Bow Creek
Every gauge Rivermatics tracks on this river, ordered by drainage area — upstream first. See the Silver Bow Creek in full.
- Silver Bow Creek at Montana Street, at Butte, MT 116 sq mi
- Silver Bow Creek below Blacktail Creek, at Butte, MT this page
- Silver Bow Creek at Opportunity, MT 343 sq mi
- Silver Bow Creek at Warm Springs, MT 473 sq mi