Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen flow report

California, USA USGS #11480390 ↗

As of July 13, 2026, Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen is flowing at 3 cfs with a gage height of 2.39 ft, rising 8% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #11480390, refreshed throughout the day.

Stale data This gauge hasn’t reported in days (last reading unknown). The readings below may not reflect current conditions.
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Right now · latest observation
Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen
USGS gauge #11480390
3 cfs streamflow
Latest reading from this gauge.
Gage height
2.39ft
Water temp
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% of median
Since yesterday
↑ 8%
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Conditions summary

Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen at a glance

How Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.

Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen is flowing at 3 cfs, with the water sitting 2.39 ft at the gage. Flow is up 8% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.

This is USGS gauge #11480390 in California. Over the past 10 days the average has been 4 cfs, peaking at 7 cfs.

Over the next 5 days, Mad R Ab Ruth Res Nr Forest Glen Ca is expected to recede from today's 3 cfs, toward roughly 2 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 0-11 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.

For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the California flow report.

Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen on the map Open map →
Site IDUSGS 11480390
Last updated2026-07-13
Gage height, ft2.39 ft
Stream water level elevation above NAVD 1988, in ft2671.1 ft
Streamflow, ft³/s2.67 ft3/s
Max recorded8,320 cfs
Streamflow outlook

Streamflow Forecast

Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.

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Historical context

How does this compare to past years?

Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.

Detailed forecast

Weather Forecast

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day forecast

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.

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About this location

Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen

The main constituents of the flow are snowmelt and rainfall. The reservoir is fed by the Ruth Lake Dam, which is located upstream. Seasonal trends show that the flow is highest in the spring and early summer due to snowmelt, and lowest in the fall and winter. One interesting fact about the hydrology is that the Mad River is known for its steelhead trout population, which migrates upstream to spawn. The river is also popular for recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and swimming.

Regional streamflow

Nearby streamflow levels

Cross-check Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.

Nearby recreation

Plan a trip

Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen.

Nearby reservoirs

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River levels & flood safety

Read the level before you go
A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
Respect cold water
Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
Watch for swiftwater hazards
Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
Mind flash floods & releases
Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.

Track Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen in the Snoflo app

Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.

FAQ

About Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen

Where does the streamflow data for Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen come from?

Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 11480390. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.

How often is the report updated?

USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.

What's the difference between discharge and gage height?

Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.

How is "percent of median" calculated?

Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.

What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?

Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.

Can I get alerts when Mad River Above Ruth Res Near Forest Glen rises?

Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.