Live streamflow across the country.
Real-time discharge from 10,000+ USGS streamgauges, surging-streamflow ranking, paddle-runnable status, and a daily AI briefing — refreshed throughout the day from USGS and NOAA feeds. Built for paddlers, anglers, water managers, and flood researchers.
What the rivers are running at
An AI-generated summary stitched from today's USGS streamgauge readings, NWS flood watches, and watershed status across the country.
The nation's waterways are telling a tale of two extremes this week, with the Ohio River system experiencing massive flows while several watersheds show concerning anomalies. At Old Shawneetown on the Kentucky-Illinois border, the Ohio River is pushing 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), making it the highest flow in the country. Meanwhile, multiple Midwest watersheds are experiencing extraordinary conditions—some flooding at over 200 times normal levels, while others languish at just 16% of typical flows.
The Midwest is experiencing a hydrological crisis, with Ohio and Iowa watersheds seeing catastrophic flooding. The Little Miami watershed near Cincinnati is flowing at an astounding 395,706% of normal—essentially transforming from a trickle to a torrent. Similarly, the Middle Ohio-Laughery basin is at 9,710% of normal, while the St. Marys River watershed in Ohio registers 22,719% above average. The Maumee River system, which drains into Lake Erie near Toledo, shows flows exceeding 3,200% of normal at multiple gauges. Iowa's Turkey River and Cedar River systems are also experiencing major high water, with the Volga River hitting 8,374% of normal. These extreme conditions pose significant flooding risks to communities throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa, with rainfall continuing across much of the region.
In stark contrast, the St. Johns River in Florida shows the complexity of current conditions—while Jacksonville reports 152,000 cfs (the second-highest flow nationally), the Lower St. Johns watershed is actually running at just 17% of normal for this time of year, suggesting these flows may represent tidal influences rather than genuine runoff. Western rivers present a mixed picture: California's Sacramento River shows healthy flows around 15,900 cfs at Verona, while the Snake River system in Idaho maintains strong releases from Hells Canyon Dam (19,200 cfs) amid scattered snow showers. For anglers and rafters, the White River in Arkansas offers excellent conditions with flows between 18,200-43,800 cfs across multiple sections, while the extreme conditions in the Midwest make most rivers there dangerous for recreation. Water managers should closely monitor the Ohio Valley and upper Mississippi tributaries, where rain-swollen watersheds continue challenging flood control infrastructure.
Top river runs by streamflow
Whitewater and paddle runs sorted by current discharge. Useful as a first-look for paddlers planning a trip and an early-warning signal for downstream flood watchers.
| 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 the streamflow data
Where does this data come from?
Discharge readings come directly from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgauge network — 10,000+ stations spread across every state. USGS publishes the data publicly; we aggregate, rank, and pair it with watershed boundaries and weather forecasts.
What is "cfs"?
Cubic feet per second — the standard unit for streamflow. One cfs is roughly 7.5 gallons per second flowing past the gauge. Small creeks run at single-digit cfs; the Mississippi runs at hundreds of thousands.
What does "percent of normal" mean?
The current flow at a gauge compared to its seasonal average for this date. 100% is right at the historical norm. 200%+ on a small-to-medium river is a strong indicator of flood conditions; below 70% indicates drought-stressed flow.
How fresh is the data?
USGS streamgauges report every 15 minutes; we re-pull every hour and re-rank. The AI briefing regenerates daily.
Can I get an alert when my home river fires?
Yes. Save any USGS gauge as a favorite in the Snoflo iOS app, set a threshold (e.g. "alert me at 200 cfs" or "alert me on stage above 12 ft"), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses. Free with a Snoflo account.
Is this a substitute for official flood warnings?
No. Snoflo is informational. For life-safety decisions follow guidance from your local NWS forecast office and emergency management. Use Snoflo data as one input among several.
Streamflow by state
Tap any state for USGS streamgauges, surging streamflows, and the daily AI flow briefing focused on that state.