Clearwater River

Seeley Lake, Montana

Caution todayMontana
Caution today

Free — you'll pick up right here.

Conditions: Caution

for canoeing, today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good

2 factors · 2 sources

Newest 18 h ago · oldest 18 h

  • caution: Agency alerts

    8 active alerts in Lolo National Forest; most severe: Temporary Administrative Pasture Firearms Closure

    USFSPosted Sep 27 · checked 18 h ago

  • clear: Weather

    Clouds, high 69°F / low 39°F, 0% precip — 95/100 for canoeing

    OpenWeather18 h ago

Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.

Why you'll love it

13.4 mi run
Flows year-round
406 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Flows year-round
Average flow
406 cfs
Average current
1.2 ft/s
Gradient
46.0 ft/mi
Drainage area
303 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

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Clearwater River

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More about this water ↓

Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this water

Clearwater River is a 13-mile paddling stretch near Seeley Lake, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 406 cfs and a gradient of about 46.0 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Facts about this water

When to go

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Seeley Lake Rs, MT weather station, 6.2 mi away. High / low in °F.

  1. Jan32° high12° low
  2. Feb37° high13° low
  3. Mar45° high20° low
  4. Apr54° high27° low
  5. May65° high34° low
  6. Jun72° high41° low
  7. Jul83° high44° low
  8. Aug83° high43° low
  9. Sep73° high36° low
  10. Oct56° high29° low
  11. Nov40° high21° low
  12. Dec31° high13° low

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Lolo National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Dearborn RiverPhoto: Jet Lowe, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Dearborn River

~1h 14m drive

Dearborn River is a 19-mile paddling stretch near Augusta, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 77 cfs and a gradient of about 82.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Holland Lake Boating Site

~17 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Montana.

Swan Lake Campground

~1h 19m drive

A worthwhile stop near Montana.

Swan RiverPhoto: USFWS, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Swan River

~19 min drive

Swan River is a 22-mile paddling stretch near Condon, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 439 cfs and a gradient of about 102.9 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Lindbergh Lake Boating Site

~18 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Montana.

South Fork Flathead RiverPhoto: Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

South Fork Flathead River

~1h 4m drive

South Fork Flathead River is a 0.3-mile paddling stretch near Essex, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 2,174 cfs. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Whitaker Bridge Day Use

~42 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Montana.

Sun RiverPhoto: Qfl247 (Transferred by Citypeek/Original uploaded by Qfl247), CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sun River

~1h 13m drive

Sun River is a 0.1-mile paddling stretch near Augusta, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 894 cfs. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Johnsrud Boat Launch

~46 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Montana.

Monture Creek

~36 min drive

Monture Creek is a 24-mile paddling stretch near Ovando, Montana. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 174 cfs and a gradient of about 84.0 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Guided trips nearby

Local operators near Seeley Lakeoffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.

Granite Peak RV Resort

Kayaking business nearby (~36 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

Wild Horse RV Resort

Kayaking business nearby (~49 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator