U.S. River Levels Today
As of October 21, 2026, 6,591 USGS gauges are reporting across the U.S. The typical gauge is at 84% of normal for the date — 2,006 running above normal and 3,535 below. The biggest flow is the Mississippi River At Vicksburg at 438,000 cfs and 1 gauge is at or above NWS flood stage.
U.S. rivers right now
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- Rivers now — every gauge vs normal, river lines by flow
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What U.S. rivers are doing today
Today’s summary of USGS streamgauge readings, flood watches and watershed status across the country.
Rivers Run High: Midwest and South Experience Surging Streamflows
Major river systems across the United States are experiencing dramatically elevated flows, with the Ohio River leading the nation at a staggering 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) near Old Shawneetown on the Kentucky-Illinois border. The Mississippi River basin, America's largest watershed, shows particularly robust flows with multiple gauge points in Minnesota reporting well-above-average conditions. Meanwhile, several watersheds are experiencing extreme anomalies—some flowing at over 190 times their historical averages—creating both opportunities for river enthusiasts and concerns for water managers monitoring flood risks.
The Upper Midwest emerges as the epicenter of elevated streamflows, with Minnesota's river systems commanding attention. The Minnesota River shows impressive surges across multiple measurement points: 16,900 cfs near Jordan, 14,500 cfs at Mankato, and 9,600 cfs at Morton—all representing 600-950% of normal flows according to watershed data. The Mississippi River itself registers 27,700 cfs below Lock & Dam #2 at Hastings and 23,900 cfs at St.
Paul. Iowa's Des Moines River watershed is running at an extraordinary 1,515% of normal, while the Nodaway River in Missouri shows flows at 670% of typical levels. These conditions create prime opportunities for whitewater enthusiasts, though anglers may find fish less active in the turbulent, high waters.
The Southern states present a mixed hydrological picture with notable extremes. Florida's St. Johns River at Jacksonville reports 152,000 cfs under sunny skies, while the Lostmans and Chatham Rivers in the Everglades show robust flows.
Georgia's river systems—the Savannah, Altamaha, and Ocmulgee—all register elevated streamflows, though the Satilla River watershed stands out at an astonishing 2,039% of normal. Texas presents striking contrasts: the Buffalo-San Jacinto watershed flows at an incomprehensible 17,074% of normal, while the Yegua watershed registers 130,000% above average—likely indicating recent intense rainfall or dam releases. Conversely, several watersheds show concerning drought signatures, with Alabama's Black Warrior River at just 9% of normal flow and the Tombigbee River system at 46-58% of typical levels, signaling significant water stress in the Deep South that could impact navigation and municipal water supplies in coming weeks.
River levels vs normal, state by state
Each square is the typical USGS gauge in that state, as a percent of normal flow for the date. Tap a state for its full flow report.
Gauges at or above NWS flood stages
1 gauge is at or above flood stage. Stages are set by the National Weather Service; follow your local NWS office and emergency managers for warnings. See the flood monitor for watches and warnings.
| Gauge | Status | Stage now | Flood stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Creek At Spuds FL | Minor flooding | 2.13 ft | 1.7 ft | 175 cfs |
| Llano River Near Mason TX | Action stage | 6.70 ft | 13.0 ft | 376 cfs |
Biggest river flows
| Gauge | Flow | % of normal |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Vicksburg MS | 438,000 cfs | 116% |
| Mississippi River At Memphis TN | 356,000 cfs | 110% |
| Mississippi River At Baton Rouge LA | 311,000 cfs | 114% |
| Mississippi River At Thebes IL | 181,000 cfs | 157% |
| Mississippi River At St. Louis MO | 178,000 cfs | 157% |
| Mississippi River At Chester IL | 175,000 cfs | 154% |
| (coe) Atchafalaya River At Simmesport LA | 141,000 cfs | 139% |
| Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam WA | 104,000 cfs | 119% |
| Ohio River At Cannelton Dam At Cannelton KY | 84,900 cfs | 396% |
| Columbia River At The Dalles OR | 78,200 cfs | 100% |
Rising fastest
| Gauge | 24h | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| White River Near White River SD | +2,520% | 136 cfs |
| Pecos River Above Canon Del Uta Near Colonias NM | +1,288% | 52 cfs |
| Neosho River Near Langley OK | +710% | 1,920 cfs |
| Deep Creek At Spuds FL | +565% | 175 cfs |
| Muddy Boggy Creek Near Unger OK | +466% | 213 cfs |
| Mermentau River At Mermentau LA | +452% | 491 cfs |
| Indian Prairie Canal Above S-72 Near Okeechobee FL | +380% | 165 cfs |
| Etowah River At Ga 61 GA | +349% | 1,570 cfs |
| Auglaize River Near Defiance Oh OH | +323% | 401 cfs |
| St. Lucie Canal Above S-80 Near Stuart Fl FL | +308% | 87 cfs |
USGS provisional data, 6,591 gauges reporting in the last few days. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Top river runs by streamflow
Whitewater and paddle runs sorted by current discharge — a first look for trip planning.
| River run | Status | Streamflow | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon | Runnable | 9,320 cfs | III TO IV |
| Greenwood To Mammoth Bar | Runnable | 1,390 cfs | II TO II+ |
| Tunnel Run (Ralston Powerhouse To Greenwood) | Runnable | 1,390 cfs | IV- TO IV |
| Generation And Giant Gaps (Tadpole To Colfax-Iowa Hill Road) | Runnable | 1,390 cfs | IV TO IV+ |
| Yankee Jim Road To Ponderosa Way (Shirttail) | Runnable | 1,390 cfs | II TO III |
| Chili Bar | Runnable | 1,390 cfs | III TO IV |
| Coloma To Greenwood - (C To G) | Runnable | 1,390 cfs | II TO III- |
| Sunrise Avenue To Watt Avenue | Too High | 1,020 cfs | II- TO II |
| Royal Gorge (Soda Springs To Tadpole Creek) | Runnable | 817 cfs | V TO V+ |
| Christopher Creek | Too High | 443 cfs | V |
| Indian Gardens | Too Low | 30 cfs | IV- TO IV+ |
| Hell's Gate Canyon | Too Low | 14 cfs | V |
About U.S. river levels
How are U.S. rivers running right now?
As of October 21, 2026, 6,591 USGS streamgauges are reporting; the typical gauge is at 84% of normal for the date, with 2,006 above normal and 3,535 below. The state map above shows where rivers are high or low.
What does “percent of normal” mean?
Today’s flow at a gauge compared with its historical average for the same calendar day. 100% is normal. Well above 150% on a small or medium river often means high water; below 50% points to drought-stressed flow.
What is cfs?
Cubic feet per second, the standard unit for river flow. One cfs is about 7.5 gallons passing the gauge every second. Small creeks run in single digits; the lower Mississippi runs in the hundreds of thousands.
How fresh is the data?
USGS gauges report every 15 minutes to an hour and Snoflo refreshes its tables through the day. Gauges that have been silent for more than three days are left out of today’s numbers.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service.
Can I get an alert when my river rises?
Yes — favorite any gauge in the Snoflo app and set a flow or stage threshold.
Is this a substitute for official flood warnings?
No. Snoflo is informational. For life-safety decisions follow your local NWS forecast office and emergency management.