Heart River
Stark / Morton Co. · 180 mi · Class I
301CFS/ 10.71 ft
Optimal
→Stable
Optimal: 100–1000 CFS · USGS #06349000
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification··Know this river?
180 mi
Length
Class I
Difficulty
100–1000 cfs
Optimal
280 cfs
Avg Flow
252 cfs
Hist. Median
#06349000
USGS Gauge
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park corridor

A prairie river flowing 180 miles from Dickinson to Mandan, where it joins the Missouri at the site of historic Fort Abraham Lincoln. The Heart winds through rolling grassland with cottonwood-lined banks, passing through the agricultural heartland of western North Dakota. Below Dickinson Dam, reliable tailwater flows support good fishing.

Trip sections
Below Dickinson Dam — 40 mi, reliable tailwater, best paddling
Glen Ullin to Mandan — 60 mi, prairie river, cottonwood galleries
Outfitters
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
River access, camping, historic site tours
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.