USGS Water-Year Summary 2024

05017500 ST. MARY RIVER NEAR BABB, MT

LOCATION - Lat 48°49'59", long 113°25'11" referenced to North American Datum of 1927, in NW 1/4 NW 1/4 SE 1/4 sec.34, T.36 N., R.14 W., Glacier County, MT, Hydrologic Unit 09040001, Blackfeet Indian Reservation, on right bank 0.7 mi upstream from outlet of Lower St. Mary Lake and 2.0 mi southeast of Babb.

DRAINAGE AREA - 275 mi².

REVISIONS HISTORY - WSP 1308: 1913-14, 1920, 1922-24. WSP 1508: 1902. The maximum discharge and gage height for water year 2017 was revised on Dec. 6, 2019, based on review of peak flow data.

SURFACE-WATER RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD - July 1901 to October 1902, May 1910 to September 1925, October 1950 to current year. Monthly discharge only for some periods, published in Water Supply Paper (WSP) 1308. Published as "at Main" in 1901-02, and as "below Swiftcurrent Creek, at Babb" 1910-15. Records published as "near Babb" for April 1902 to September 1915, May 1929 to September 1950 at sites about 1.5 mi downstream not equivalent because flow of Swiftcurrent Creek is not included in 1902-15 record, and because diversion by St. Mary Canal is not included in 1929-50 record.

GAGE - Water-stage recorder. Elevation of gage is 4,468.13 ft (NGVD 29). Prior to Oct. 1, 1915, water-stage recorder or nonrecording gages at several sites about 3.8 mi downstream at different elevations. Oct. 1, 1915, to Sept. 30, 1925, water-stage recorder or nonrecording gages at several sites within 1.5 mi downstream at different elevations.

REMARKS - Entire flow of Swiftcurrent Creek below Lake Sherburne is diverted into Lower St. Mary Lake upstream from station. Flow of Swiftcurrent Creek is regulated by Lake Sherburne (station number 05015500) since 1919.