Sun River near Vaughn, MT

Missouri River & Headwaters (Montana) · USGS gauge 06089000 · Updated Oct 25, 11:23 AM PDT · USGS data, provisional

All 2 Sun River gauges in Montana

Use caution571 cfs● steady (-9% in 24 h)

Reading time: Oct 25, 11:00 AM 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
93rd percentile
Typical range (25th–75th)
278–405 cfs
Median for this date
336 cfs
7-day low / high
488 / 630 cfs

Water temperature & gage height

Gage height (stage)
2.50 ft as of Oct 25, 11:00 AM PDT · USGS 00065 · Provisional

Context only: these readings do not affect the status above, which is based on flow (cfs) alone. Gage height is the water level above this gauge's own reference point, not water depth, and can't be compared between gauges. Temperature converted from °C to °F by Flowcast. Source: USGS, provisional data.

Plain-language explanation

Sun River near Vaughn is flowing at 571 cubic feet per second (cfs) as of Oct 25, 11:00 AM PDT. That is among the highest flows on record for this time of year: higher than about 93% of the daily flows this gauge has recorded for this date (give or take 7 days) over 93 years of record (1934–2026).

The middle half of those historical flows runs from 278 to 405 cfs, with a median of 336 cfs; the lowest 10% of days are at or below 230 cfs and the highest 10% at or above 479 cfs.

Over the last 24 hours the flow has been steady (-9.4%). In the last 7 days it ranged from 488 to 630 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 Sun River near Vaughn fishable today?

Flowcast's status for the Sun River near Vaughn is “Use caution”: flow is 571 cfs, well above normal for the date, at the 93rd percentile for this date (as of Oct 25, 11:00 AM 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 Sun River near Vaughn?

571 cubic feet per second at USGS gauge 06089000 as of Oct 25, 11:00 AM PDT, provisional data.

Is the Sun River near Vaughn too high or too low right now?

It is high: well above the typical range for the date (278 to 405 cfs).

Is the Sun River near Vaughn rising or falling?

Over the last 24 hours the flow has been steady (-9.4%).

What is a normal flow for the Sun River near Vaughn in October?

For this date (give or take 7 days) the median is 336 cfs and the middle half of days runs 278 to 405 cfs, over 93 years of USGS record.

7-day trend

467513559605651Mon 10/19Tue 10/20Wed 10/21Thu 10/22Fri 10/23Sat 10/24Sun 10/25

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
Mon Oct 1951890thHigh but doable
Tue Oct 2051690thUse caution
Wed Oct 2150790thHigh but doable
Thu Oct 2250590thUse caution
Fri Oct 2352391stUse caution
Sat Oct 2461194thUse caution
Sun Oct 25 (so far)57693rdUse 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 93 years of USGS daily data (1934–2026).

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Official resources

Agency notices that mention this river

  • “Sun River: Emergency river closure due to bridge construction (closed to all forms of use) are in effect for the Sun River - beginning 500 feet upstream and ending 500 feet downstream of the Sun River Bridge (also know as Pishkun Road Bridge) starting June 1. Adoption of an emergency rule closing a portion of the Sun River (MAR Notice No. 2025-301.1). The closure of this portion of the Sun River is in place from June 1 to November 15, 2026.” (Montana FWP current waterbody restrictions)

Copied from the Montana FWP current waterbody restrictions page as of Oct 25, 2:11 PM PDT. They match on the river's name only and may concern a different stretch. Open the page for the details.

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-06089000
USGS name
Sun River Near Vaughn Mt
Drainage area
1,774 sq mi
Location
47.5258, -111.5110
Record in this analysis
1934–2026
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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Missouri River & Tributaries (Montana)

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