What will our river flows look like in 2025?
Spring Snowpack Update: What It Means for River Flows in Northwest Montana
An early storm last month gave a helpful boost to Glacier National Park’s snowpack, but warmer-than-average spring temps are causing our snow to melt fast—especially at lower elevations. According to the latest NRCS water supply outlook, streamflow forecasts for the Flathead River Basin are expected to be just slightly below normal from May through July.
While February and March saw above-average precipitation, January’s dry spell left snowpack playing catch-up. As of mid-May, Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) levels in the Flathead Basin sit around 85% of normal, with most low- and mid-elevation snow already gone. The Middle and North Forks of the Flathead peaked earlier this month, with streamflows hitting 12,400 cfs and 12,800 cfs, respectively.
Hydrologists say most rivers in the state have already seen their seasonal peak flows—driven by a warm start to May combined with below-normal precipitation. This rapid melt-off has brought streamflow numbers in line with last year, despite us starting the winter with more snow on the ground.
There are still deep pockets of snow at higher elevations. Noisy Basin in the Swan Range, for example, is holding strong with SWE levels at 108% and snow depths of 85 inches. That’s expected to sustain strong flows in the South Fork Flathead River well into late June.
Unfortunately, other spots like Blacktail Mountain didn’t fare as well, seeing some of the lowest April precipitation in the state.
What happens next depends on the weather. A cooler, wetter spring could help extend runoff and improve streamflow conditions. But if the current warming trend holds, we may be in for an earlier and shorter runoff season.
Read the full article from the Flathead Beacon here:
Below-Normal Streamflows Forecast in Northwest Montana Amid Early Peak Runoff
