Rock Creek near Clinton, MT

Western Montana (Clark Fork & Bitterroot) · USGS gauge 12334510 · Updated Oct 24, 2:37 PM PDT · USGS data, provisional

Use caution480 cfs▲ rising (+78% in 24 h)

Reading time: Oct 24, 1:45 PM PDT · Provisional data

Flow is well above normal for the date. Water is likely fast and strong, wading is likely unsafe, and floating generally calls for experienced boaters. Check local reports and consider waiting.

Vs. normal for this date
98th percentile
Typical range (25th–75th)
205–277 cfs
Median for this date
243 cfs
7-day low / high
235 / 480 cfs

Plain-language explanation

Rock Creek near Clinton is flowing at 480 cubic feet per second (cfs) as of Oct 24, 1:45 PM PDT. That is among the highest flows on record for this time of year: higher than about 98% of the daily flows this gauge has recorded for this date (give or take 7 days) over 55 years of record (1972–2026).

The middle half of those historical flows runs from 205 to 277 cfs, with a median of 243 cfs; the lowest 10% of days are at or below 188 cfs and the highest 10% at or above 306 cfs.

Over the last 24 hours the flow has been rising (+77.8%). In the last 7 days it ranged from 235 to 480 cfs.

Why this status: Flow is above the seasonal 90th percentile and above the 60th percentile of all days on record.

Quick answers

Is the Rock Creek near Clinton fishable today?

Flowcast's status for the Rock Creek near Clinton is “Use caution”: flow is 480 cfs, well above normal for the date, at the 98th percentile for this date (as of Oct 24, 1:45 PM PDT). That describes flow only. It says nothing about water clarity, temperature, fish activity, access or fishing regulations.

What is the current flow of the Rock Creek near Clinton?

480 cubic feet per second at USGS gauge 12334510 as of Oct 24, 1:45 PM PDT, provisional data.

Is the Rock Creek near Clinton too high or too low right now?

It is high: well above the typical range for the date (205 to 277 cfs).

Is the Rock Creek near Clinton rising or falling?

Over the last 24 hours the flow has been rising (+77.8%).

What is a normal flow for the Rock Creek near Clinton in October?

For this date (give or take 7 days) the median is 243 cfs and the middle half of days runs 205 to 277 cfs, over 55 years of USGS record.

7-day trend

typical range for this date (25th-75th pct)198278358437517Sun 10/18Mon 10/19Tue 10/20Wed 10/21Thu 10/22Fri 10/23Sat 10/24

Hourly flow in cfs, Pacific time. The shaded band is the typical range (25th–75th percentile) for this date, shown when it falls within the chart.

Day (Pacific)Mean cfsPercentileStatus that day
Sun Oct 1826060thFishable/Floatable
Mon Oct 1925458thFishable/Floatable
Tue Oct 2024853rdFishable/Floatable
Wed Oct 2124450thFishable/Floatable
Thu Oct 2224047thFishable/Floatable
Fri Oct 2327270thFishable/Floatable
Sat Oct 24 (so far)42297thUse caution

Seasonal context

1002005001,0002,0005,00010,000JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Shaded band: 10th–90th percentile of daily flows through the year; dashed line: median. Log scale. Dot: today's flow. Based on 55 years of USGS daily data (1972–2026).

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Official resources

Links go to the agencies' own websites and were checked as working. Flowcast does not summarize fishing or boating rules: regulations and closures change, and the agency pages are the authority.

About this gauge

USGS site
USGS-12334510
USGS name
Rock Creek Near Clinton Mt
Drainage area
889 sq mi
Location
46.7223, -113.6831
Record in this analysis
1972–2026
Data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Readings are provisional and subject to revision. Flowcast statuses are automated comparisons with each gauge's own history, not safety ratings or fishing reports. Check local conditions, weather, regulations and closures before you go. Rivers can change quickly.

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Western Montana: Clark Fork, Bitterroot & Blackfoot

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