U.S. River Levels Today
As of November 1, 2026, 6,560 USGS gauges are reporting across the U.S. The typical gauge is at 62% of normal for the date — 1,295 running above normal and 4,415 below. The biggest flow is the Columbia River @ Beaver Army Terminal Near Quincy at 342,000 cfs and 2 gauges are at or above NWS flood stage.
U.S. rivers right now
See every U.S. river on a live map
- Rivers now — every gauge vs normal, river lines by flow
- Reservoirs — storage vs normal
- Rain — past 24 hrs and the 72-hr forecast, press play
✓ Free for 7 days · ✓ Cancel anytime
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: Spring Surge Brings Dramatic Flows Across American Waterways
The nation's rivers are telling a tale of two extremes this week, as massive snowmelt and recent precipitation drive extraordinary streamflows across the Southwest and Upper Midwest, while portions of the Southeast struggle with significantly below-normal conditions. The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown leads the nation with a staggering 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), while remarkable watershed anomalies show some river systems running at more than 500 times their historical averages—a phenomenon rarely witnessed outside of major flood events.
The Southwest is experiencing an exceptional hydrological event, with the Agua Fria River in Arizona posting an astonishing 56,667% of normal flow and the Buffalo-San Jacinto watershed in Texas reaching 17,074% of normal. The Rio Grande basin is particularly active, with the Albuquerque reach flowing at 850% of normal (4,890 cfs) and the Colorado headwaters surging to nearly 5,000% above typical levels. These extreme conditions stem from robust winter snowpack in the Rockies now rapidly melting, combined with spring storm systems.
The Virgin River system shows flows exceeding 2,400% of normal, impacting recreation and water management operations throughout southern Utah and Nevada. Meanwhile, Idaho's Snake River corridor maintains robust flows between 5,200-19,200 cfs across multiple gauges, excellent news for whitewater enthusiasts planning summer rafting expeditions.
Contrasting sharply with the Southwest's abundance, Alabama's Black Warrior River languishes at just 5% of normal flow, and Florida's Suwannee River runs at 55% of typical levels despite the St. Johns River at Jacksonville posting impressive volumes of 152,000 cfs. The Minnesota River system demonstrates consistently elevated conditions with multiple gauges reporting 14,500-16,900 cfs, keeping the Twin Cities area on alert.
For anglers, Arkansas's White River system offers exceptional conditions with three gauges reporting 18,200-43,800 cfs—prime flows for trout fishing below the dams. Water managers in the Mississippi River basin face complex navigation decisions as flows at St. Paul (23,900 cfs) and Hastings (27,700 cfs) remain elevated but manageable, while downstream at Old Shawneetown, coordination with Ohio River flows requires careful attention to prevent downstream flooding impacts.
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
2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Fork Wailua River Near Lihue HI | Minor flooding | 20.75 ft | 15.0 ft | 39,800 cfs |
| Suwannee River Above Gopher River Near Suwannee Fl FL | Minor flooding | 2.19 ft | 1.7 ft | 3,960 cfs |
| West Hobolochitto Creek Near Mcneill MS | Action stage | 12.92 ft | 15.0 ft | 1,620 cfs |
Biggest river flows
| Gauge | Flow | % of normal |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia River @ Beaver Army Terminal Near Quincy OR | 342,000 cfs | 108% |
| Mississippi River At Vicksburg MS | 311,000 cfs | 85% |
| Mississippi River At Baton Rouge LA | 245,000 cfs | 93% |
| Mississippi River At Memphis TN | 234,000 cfs | 62% |
| San Joaquin River A Jersey Point Ca CA | 147,000 cfs | 23% |
| Mississippi River At Thebes IL | 134,000 cfs | 89% |
| Mississippi River At Chester IL | 130,000 cfs | 89% |
| Mississippi River At St. Louis MO | 119,000 cfs | 87% |
| Sacramento River A Rio Vista Ca CA | 118,000 cfs | 130% |
| (coe) Atchafalaya River At Simmesport LA | 110,000 cfs | 103% |
Rising fastest
| Gauge | 24h | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Ecleto Creek Near Runge TX | +627,900% | 63 cfs |
| Salt River Below Stewart Mountain Dam AZ | +205,285% | 267 cfs |
| Santa Ana River A Santa Ana Ca CA | +22,817% | 495 cfs |
| Chino Creek A Schaefer Avenue Near Chino Ca CA | +20,519% | 200 cfs |
| San Antonio Creek A Riverside Dr Near Chino Ca CA | +18,422% | 85 cfs |
| Nonconnah Creek Near Germantown TN | +18,334% | 153 cfs |
| Sabino Creek Near Tucson AZ | +17,138% | 412 cfs |
| Pinto Creek Near Miami AZ | +15,512% | 77 cfs |
| Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal At Moncks Corner SC | +11,101% | 6,900 cfs |
| West Hobolochitto Creek Near Mcneill MS | +8,950% | 1,620 cfs |
USGS provisional data, 6,560 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 1, 2026, 6,560 USGS streamgauges are reporting; the typical gauge is at 62% of normal for the date, with 1,295 above normal and 4,415 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.