MISSOURI FLOW REPORT

Last Updated: February 13, 2026

Missouri's river systems are currently experiencing below-average streamflows, indicating a trend that could affect recreational activities and water resources management. Notably, the Mississippi River at St. Louis, a major waterway, is flowing at 86,700 cubic feet per second (cfs), a significant drop from its normal levels, with a streamflow change of only 2.24 cfs in the last 24 hours and sitting at 57.48% of its average. Similarly, the Missouri River, another key river in the state, shows a reduced flow with the stretch at St. Joseph carrying 29,500 cfs, which is 84.2% of the norm, while the section at Kansas City is at 30,500 cfs, 82.72% of its average flow. These low flows are reflected across various other rivers in the state, including the Meramec River near Eureka at 708 cfs (20.35% of normal) and the Big Piney River near Big Piney at 161 cfs (21.02% of normal).

For water enthusiasts, such as whitewater rafters and anglers, these conditions may impact the availability and quality of experiences in Missouri's rivers. The lower flows could be a sign of flow droughts in regions like the Big River Near Richwoods and the Castor River at Zalma. In contrast, the St. Francis River at Wappapello showed a large increase in flow over the last 24 hours to 757 cfs, which might indicate localized rainfall but still remains below average at 40.27% of normal flow. Cities along these rivers such as St. Louis, St. Joseph, and Kansas City, as well as those situated along tributaries with notable whitewater trails like the Meramec River, should be aware of these low streamflow conditions, which could also hint at potential water resource concerns if the trend continues. Gage heights, an indicator of water depth, have remained relatively stable with no immediate signs of flooding, but these trends will need to be closely monitored, especially if there's a sudden increase in precipitation.