U.S. River Levels Today
As of November 2, 2026, 6,562 USGS gauges are reporting across the U.S. The typical gauge is at 63% of normal for the date — 1,363 running above normal and 4,188 below. The biggest flow is the Columbia River @ Beaver Army Terminal Near Quincy at 306,000 cfs and 14 gauges are at or above NWS flood stage.
U.S. rivers right now
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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 and Low: A Tale of Extremes Across America's Waterways
The nation's rivers are telling a dramatic story of hydrological extremes this week, with some waterways surging to remarkable levels while others languish in severe drought. The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown leads the high-flow charts at 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), while the Black River in Arizona has exploded to an astounding 58,000% of normal flows. Meanwhile, the Black Warrior River in Alabama has plummeted to less than 5% of typical levels, and the Suwannee River in Florida runs at just 55% of normal—a stark reminder that water abundance and scarcity can exist simultaneously across the American landscape.
The Southwest is experiencing the most dramatic surge, with Arizona's waterways showing unprecedented activity. The Agua Fria River near Rock Springs is flowing at an incomprehensible 103,000% of normal—transforming from a trickle of 0.62 cfs to 640 cfs. The Little Colorado River system registers 8,118% of normal, while the East Verde River runs at 7,305% of typical flows.
New Mexico's Rio Grande basin also shows extraordinary conditions, with the Rio Chama at 1,783% and the Albuquerque reach at 712% of normal. These surges, likely driven by recent storm systems, create exceptional—if fleeting—opportunities for rafters while demanding vigilance from water managers in Phoenix, Albuquerque, and downstream communities.
The Upper Midwest paints a contrasting picture, with major rivers showing robust but more moderate high flows. The Mississippi River system near Minneapolis-St. Paul is running strong, with gauges at Hastings (27,700 cfs) and St.
Paul (23,900 cfs) reflecting healthy snowmelt contributions. The Minnesota River tributary system shows elevated flows throughout, with the Jordan gauge at 16,900 cfs. However, concerning drought conditions persist in the Southeast, where the Tombigbee River system in Alabama runs at just 26% of normal, potentially impacting barge traffic and fisheries.
Jacksonville's St. Johns River shows 152,000 cfs—appearing high in absolute terms but representing only 62% of historical norms, highlighting how context matters when interpreting streamflow data.
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
14 gauges are 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verde River Near Clarkdale AZ | Major flooding | 20.08 ft | 12.0 ft | 33,700 cfs |
| San Juan River At Pagosa Springs CO | Major flooding | 16.03 ft | 10.5 ft | 10,400 cfs |
| Moenkopi Wash At Moenkopi AZ | Major flooding | 30.24 ft | 25.0 ft | 734 cfs |
| Animas River Near Cedar Hill CO | Major flooding | 12.52 ft | 10.5 ft | 15,000 cfs |
| Little Cottonwood Creek @ Jordan River Near Slc UT | Major flooding | 1.55 ft | 0.8 ft | 104 cfs |
| Oak Creek Near Cornville AZ | Moderate flooding | 15.35 ft | 8.0 ft | 16,100 cfs |
| Little Colorado River Near Winslow AZ | Moderate flooding | 23.05 ft | 19.0 ft | 11,700 cfs |
| Black Warrior River At Selden L & D Near Eutaw AL | Minor flooding | 95.92 ft | 90.0 ft | 2,400 cfs |
| South Fork Wailua River Near Lihue HI | Minor flooding | 20.75 ft | 15.0 ft | 39,800 cfs |
| Rio Chama Above Abiquiu Reservoir NM | Minor flooding | 11.99 ft | 11.0 ft | 6,490 cfs |
| Agua Fria River Near Rock Springs AZ | Minor flooding | 16.89 ft | 16.0 ft | 14,400 cfs |
| San Juan River At Farmington NM | Minor flooding | 9.13 ft | 8.5 ft | 14,600 cfs |
| Dolores River At Dolores CO | Minor flooding | 8.50 ft | 8.0 ft | 8,580 cfs |
| Salt River Near Roosevelt AZ | Minor flooding | 30.03 ft | 30.0 ft | 107,000 cfs |
| Tonto Creek Above Gun Creek AZ | Action stage | 15.82 ft | 16.0 ft | 51,400 cfs |
| Animas River At Durango CO | Action stage | 7.31 ft | 8.0 ft | 8,080 cfs |
| Carrizo Creek Near Show Low AZ | Action stage | 14.19 ft | 15.0 ft | 14,000 cfs |
| San Francisco River Near Glenwood NM | Action stage | 13.81 ft | 15.0 ft | 10,600 cfs |
| Gila River At Head Of Safford Valley AZ | Action stage | 19.24 ft | 21.0 ft | 10,400 cfs |
| Cave Creek Below Cottonwood Creek Near Cave Creek AZ | Action stage | 6.91 ft | 9.0 ft | 643 cfs |
Biggest river flows
| Gauge | Flow | % of normal |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia River @ Beaver Army Terminal Near Quincy OR | 306,000 cfs | 108% |
| Mississippi River At Vicksburg MS | 304,000 cfs | 77% |
| Mississippi River At Baton Rouge LA | 243,000 cfs | 89% |
| Mississippi River At Memphis TN | 238,000 cfs | 58% |
| Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam WA | 164,000 cfs | 98% |
| Mississippi River At Thebes IL | 126,000 cfs | 94% |
| Mississippi River At Chester IL | 123,000 cfs | 90% |
| Mississippi River At St. Louis MO | 120,000 cfs | 89% |
| Salt River Near Roosevelt AZ | 107,000 cfs | 786% |
| (coe) Atchafalaya River At Simmesport LA | 106,000 cfs | 96% |
Rising fastest
| Gauge | 24h | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Burro Creek At Old US 93 Bridge Near Bagdad AZ | +612,213% | 36,800 cfs |
| Santa Cruz River Near Laveen AZ | +301,900% | 151 cfs |
| San Pedro River At Palominas AZ | +207,217% | 1,700 cfs |
| Rio Nutria Near Ramah NM | +127,900% | 128 cfs |
| Show Low Creek Near Lakeside AZ | +116,683% | 1,670 cfs |
| Jacks Canyon Creek Near Winslow AZ | +84,683% | 3,120 cfs |
| Rillito Creek At La Cholla Blvd Near Tucson AZ | +83,900% | 3,150 cfs |
| Santa Cruz River Near Nogales AZ | +77,162% | 649 cfs |
| Santa Clara River Below Winsor Dam UT | +60,814% | 2,400 cfs |
| Truckee River Near Sparks NV | +56,467% | 379 cfs |
USGS provisional data, 6,562 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 November 2, 2026, 6,562 USGS streamgauges are reporting; the typical gauge is at 63% of normal for the date, with 1,363 above normal and 4,188 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.