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RIVERBETA · field sheet

Russell Gates to Roundup

Blackfoot River
ClassII-III
Length11.1 mi
Gradient
On-water
SeasonMay–July
FlowNO
USGS 12340000 · Blackfoot River near Bonner, MT
858cfs
steady over 24h · gauge 2.44 ft · water 64°F
44th percentile — about normal for the date · median ~902 cfs
Prime range 1,500–6,000 cfs
Flow at put-in today: cfs
On the water
Areas Of Smoke · Monday
Water64°F
Air73°F
Precip6%
Wind3 to 7 mph WSW
Sunrise6:18 AM
Sunset9:06 PM

NO Very low at 858 CFS — boney and likely unrunnable. · Conditions as of Aug 3, 2026, 3:30 AM. Printed snapshot generated Aug 3, 2026, 4:45 AM— conditions change, wood moves, levels swing. Verify the gauge and scout anything you can't read from upstream.

Mile by mile

  • 1RM 36Bear Creek RapidsII Class II on the FWP float map, just upstream of the Bear Creek Flats float-in campsite.
  • 2RM 29.2Roundup RapidIII The Blackfoot's largest rapid, at the Highway 200 bridge directly above the Roundup access — a big wave train leading to a drop. NRS's Missoula guide warns of a large rock at the base of the main wave train with pin potential (single source — verify locally). Easily scouted from Highway 200.
Russell Gates to Roundup river map
Pput-in · Russell GatesTtake-out · Roundup#numbered rapids — see mile by mile

Getting there & back

Put-in

Russell GatesRussell Gates Memorial FAS on river right at Highway 200 — gravel ramp, drinking water, toilet, and primitive campsites ($12/night with a Montana fishing license, $18 without). Marks the upstream end of the Blackfoot River Recreation Corridor.

Take-out

RoundupFWP access at the Highway 200 bridge with a raft-slide launch and toilet; day use. Roundup Rapid sits at the bridge directly upstream of the launch and can be scouted from Highway 200 during the shuttle.

Shuttle (take-out → put-in): 9 mi · ≈ 10 min

Trip log

Date
Party / boats
On the water
Off the water
Flow at launch
Shuttle / keys
Wood, hazards & notes

Spot wood or a changed rapid? Add it to the run page when you're back in coverage — riverbeta.app/blackfoot-river/blackfoot-russell-gates-to-roundup — the next crew is counting on you.