Live streamflow across the country.

# Rivers Run High: Midwest and Northeast Face Surging Streamflows While South Struggles

A dramatic split in water conditions is reshaping America's river systems this week, with the Midwest and Northeast experiencing extraordinary flooding while parts of the South face concerning low flows. The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown on the Kentucky-Illinois border leads the nation with a staggering 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), while dozens of smaller watersheds across Iowa, New Jersey, and Connecticut are recording flows exceeding 1,000% of normal levels. This hydrological whiplash presents both opportunities for water managers and serious flood risks for communities along swollen waterways.

The Midwest is experiencing particularly extreme conditions, with Iowa's river systems showing remarkable surges. The Des Moines River watershed is running nearly 3,000% above normal in its lower reaches, while the Cedar and Wapsipinicon rivers are flowing at 616% and 1,434% of typical levels respectively. Minnesota's Le Sueur River has exploded to 3,413% of normal, and the Minnesota River system from Montevideo to Jordan is consistently reporting flows between 750-1,200% above average. These conditions impact major cities including Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and the Twin Cities metro area. Meanwhile, the Mississippi River itself shows robust flows at St. Paul (23,900 cfs) and Hastings (27,700 cfs), though these remain within manageable ranges for the mighty river.

The Northeast corridor presents equally dramatic conditions, where Connecticut's Quinnipiac River watershed has surged to an astounding 4,339% of normal, and New Jersey's Raritan basin is flowing at 5,542% above typical levels. The Lower Hudson and surrounding watersheds affecting New York City and northern New Jersey are running 770-940% above normal, creating challenging conditions for the region's 20 million residents. Conversely, the Southeast tells a different story: Alabama's Black Warrior River has collapsed to just 10% of normal flow, while Florida's Suwannee and St. Johns rivers are running at 77-89% of average despite the St. Johns posting an impressive 152,000 cfs absolute flow at Jacksonville. For anglers and rafters, the Snake River in Idaho offers excellent conditions with strong flows between 5,200-19,200 cfs, while Arkansas's White River system provides outstanding opportunities with flows of 18,200-43,800 cfs under mostly sunny skies.