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.
Major rivers across the United States are experiencing significantly elevated streamflows, with the Ohio River leading the surge at 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) near Old Shawneetown on the Kentucky-Illinois border. From the Mississippi River system in Minnesota to Florida's St. Johns River, water managers and outdoor enthusiasts are witnessing flows well above normal across multiple watersheds. Several regions are seeing streamflows 500% to 8,000% above historical averages, creating dynamic conditions for navigation, recreation, and flood management.
The Midwest is experiencing particularly dramatic conditions, with the Missouri River system showing extraordinary flows. The Lower Missouri-Moreau watershed is running at 205% of normal, while tributaries like the Niangua River are surging at 4,697% above typical levels. Minnesota's river systems—including the Minnesota River at multiple gauges from Lac Qui Parle to Jordan—are showing consistently elevated flows between 9,500 and 16,900 cfs. The Wabash River in Indiana is flowing at 163% of normal, while Illinois' Salt River has exploded to 8,767% above average. These conditions present excellent opportunities for kayakers and rafters seeking high-water adventures, though caution is essential given the powerful currents.
The South and Southeast present a mixed picture, with Texas watersheds showing the most extreme departures from normal. The Chambers watershed in the Trinity River basin is running at an astounding 29,710% of average flows, while the Austin-Travis Lakes region shows 163,601% above normal—indicating recent intense rainfall events. Arkansas' White River system maintains strong flows at Batesville (43,800 cfs) and Calico Rock (23,300 cfs), fed by releases from upstream reservoirs. Florida's St. Johns River at Jacksonville registers 152,000 cfs under sunny skies, while Georgia's Savannah River system shows moderate elevations around 110-125% of normal. Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest tells a different story: Washington's Strait of Georgia and Lake Washington watersheds are running at just 60-66% of normal, indicating drought stress in the region as scattered snow showers attempt to boost snowpack levels.
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.