FLOW REPORT
Last Updated: January 11, 2026
River enthusiasts and water management experts, take note: a significant variance in streamflows has been observed across the nation's rivers, impacting various communities and ecosystems. From the grand banks of the Ohio River at Old Shawneetown, IL-KY, with a high flow of 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to the smaller yet notable Minnesota River near Lac Qui Parle, MN, at 5,040 cfs, the numbers tell stories of potential floods, recreation changes, and ecological impacts. Major cities along these rivers, such as Jacksonville, Florida, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, may experience above average streamflows, affecting urban water systems and natural habitats alike.
Diving into the data, the Ohio River at Old Shawneetown is experiencing mostly sunny conditions with a slight chance of thunderstorms, while the Savannah River near Port Wentworth, GA, enjoys clear skies at 25,700 cfs. In contrast, the Snake River at Hells Canyon Dam, straddling the Idaho-Oregon state line, confronts scattered snow showers at 19,200 cfs. This variability in weather and streamflow reflects the complex interplay between climate patterns and local hydrological conditions, which water management professionals must navigate.
In terms of watersheds, the Middle Tombigbee-Lubbub is at 81.54% of its normal flow, while the Lower Sulphur is surging at 618.97% above average. The Lower St. Johns, conversely, is running low at 21.59% of its typical flow, underlining drought concerns. For river enthusiasts, the heightened streamflows in the Black Warrior River in Alabama and the Tangipahoa River in Louisiana—both over 500% of their normal flows—may alter fishing and rafting conditions, necessitating caution and updated planning. These flow conditions are critical for both prevention of flood-related damages and the optimization of recreational activities, highlighting the importance of real-time data and adaptive water resource management.