FLOW REPORT

February 14 2025

As spring unfolds, the United States witnesses a mosaic of fluctuating streamflows across its diverse river systems. Enthusiasts, anglers, and water management experts alike are observing the shifts with keen interest. Recent data highlights above-average streamflows in several major river gauges, hinting at potential impacts on nearby cities and ecosystems. High streamflows have been recorded at the Mississippi River gauges, with Vicksburg, MS, reporting 793,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and Memphis, TN, at 745,000 cfs. The Ohio River is also swelling, with the Cannelton Dam gauge at Cannelton, IN registering 392,000 cfs. Meanwhile, the Atchafalaya River at Simmesport, LA, marks 243,000 cfs. These numbers, while significant, are just a snapshot of the wider hydrological picture.

Aside from these giants, smaller but vital waterways like the Alabama River near Montgomery, AL, and the Savannah River at Port Wentworth, GA, show substantial flows at 101,000 cfs and 83,600 cfs, respectively. Out West, the Eel River at Scotia, CA, is also running high with 58,700 cfs, reflecting recent weather patterns. While enthusiasts in the affected regions may revel in the opportunities for challenging whitewater rafting or fishing in the swollen rivers, there's also an undercurrent of caution, as high streamflows may precede flooding and necessitate vigilance in floodplain areas.

Cross-referencing these gauges with watershed data provides insight into broader regional trends. For instance, the Middle Tombigbee-Lubbub and Upper Cache watersheds show significantly lower percent normals of flow, suggesting conditions of drought or below-average rainfall. Conversely, the Sacramento-Lower Cow-Lower Clear watershed in California reports a staggering 824.67 percent of normal flow, reflective of recent hydrological events that may affect local ecosystems and urban planning. As data continues to stream in, water management entities, along with fishing and rafting communities, must remain adaptive to the rhythms of the nation's rivers, balancing the joy of high waters with the prudence that such power demands.

Streamflow conditions across the USA vary significantly due to geographical and climatic factors. Historically, areas with high streamflows include the Pacific Northwest, parts of the Rocky Mountains, and the Upper Midwest, particularly during the spring months when snowmelt is at its peak. These regions experience abundant streamflow due to the melting of substantial snowpacks accumulated during winter. The Rocky Mountains, for instance, have numerous rivers fed by snowmelt, such as the Colorado and Yellowstone rivers, which see increased flow from late spring to early summer, crucial for agriculture, hydroelectric power generation, and replenishing groundwater levels.

Snowpacks play a crucial role in regulating streamflows across the US. In mountainous regions like the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades, snow accumulates during winter and gradually melts in spring and early summer, sustaining rivers like the Sacramento and Columbia. These rivers not only support ecosystems and agriculture but also provide vital water resources for cities and towns downstream. Streamflow levels directly impact recreational activities such as fishing and whitewater kayaking, as fish migration and water levels for rafting are closely tied to seasonal flow patterns. Balancing water usage with ecological and recreational needs remains critical in managing and sustaining healthy streamflow conditions nationwide.


Flood Monitor

Location Percent of Normal
Salt River
River / Tributary
771%
Sabine River
River / Tributary
214%
Neches River
River / Tributary
160%
Ouachita River
River / Tributary
151%
Sacramento River
River / Tributary
825%
Trinity River
River / Tributary
736%
Upper Cache
Watershed
1265%
Trinity
Watershed
736%
Upper Neches
Watershed
241%
Middle Brazos-Lake Whitney
Watershed
764%
Chambers
Watershed
790%
Sacramento-Lower Cow-Lower Clear
Watershed
825%
Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Watershed
163%
Lower Salt
Watershed
771%
Upper Sabine
Watershed
214%
Northern Okeechobee Inflow
Watershed
603%
Middle Pearl-Strong
Watershed
1112%
Buffalo-San Jacinto
Watershed
1354%
Upper Ouachita
Watershed
151%
Lower Sacramento
Watershed
1233%

Surging Streamflows

Streamgauge Discharge Change Discharge
TOBESOFKEE CREEK NEAR MACON, GA +33,316% 2,690cfs
DEEP C NR HESPERIA CA +26,421% 2,310cfs
COYOTE C NR GILROY CA +24,344% 3,520cfs
SANTA ANA R A E ST NR SAN BERNARDINO CA +24,094% 3,000cfs
SANTA MARGARITA R NR TEMECULA CA +18,311% 1,970cfs
LOS PENASQUITOS C NR POWAY CA +9,543% 2,160cfs
ARROYO HONDO NR SAN JOSE CA +7,427% 2,070cfs
NACIMIENTO R BL SAPAQUE C NR BRYSON CA +7,173% 4,640cfs
SAN ANTONIO R NR LOCKWOOD CA +4,514% 3,410cfs
ALAMEDA C NR NILES CA +4,253% 2,760cfs

Paddling Destinations

Location Discharge Status
GREENWOOD TO MAMMOTH BAR 1,390cfs Runnable
TUNNEL RUN (RALSTON POWERHOUSE TO GREENWOOD) 1,390cfs Runnable
GENERATION AND GIANT GAPS (TADPOLE TO COLFAX-IOWA HILL ROAD) 1,390cfs Runnable
YANKEE JIM ROAD TO PONDEROSA WAY (SHIRTTAIL) 1,390cfs Runnable
CHILI BAR 1,390cfs Runnable
COLOMA TO GREENWOOD - (C TO G) 1,390cfs Runnable
SUNRISE AVENUE TO WATT AVENUE 1,020cfs Too High
ROYAL GORGE (SODA SPRINGS TO TADPOLE CREEK) 817cfs Runnable
CHRISTOPHER CREEK 443cfs Too High
INDIAN GARDENS 30cfs Too Low

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