Elk River Near Milner flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Elk River Near Milner is flowing at 127 cfs with a gage height of 1.68 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #09242500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Elk River Near Milner at a glance
How Elk River Near Milner is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Elk River Near Milner is flowing at 127 cfs, with the water sitting 1.68 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #09242500 in Colorado. Over the past 10 days the average has been 151 cfs, peaking at 176 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Elk River Near Milner is expected to recede from today's 131 cfs, toward roughly 110 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 39-308 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Colorado flow report.
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.
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.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Elk River Near Milner
The river is fed by several tributaries including Middle Elk Creek and South Fork Elk River, and is affected by upstream dams such as the Stagecoach Dam. Seasonal trends in flow rates show peak levels in late spring and early summer, while winter months see lower levels due to ice buildup. Interesting facts about the hydrology of the Elk River include its classification as a Class II whitewater river for rafting and kayaking, as well as its role in supporting a variety of aquatic species such as trout and beaver.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Elk River Near Milner's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Elk River Near Milner | 127 cfs |
| Yampa River At Steamboat Springs | 60 cfs |
| Fish Cr At Upper Sta Nr Steamboat Springs | 7 cfs |
| Walton Creek Near Steamboat Springs | 10 cfs |
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 31 cfs |
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 6 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Elk River Near Milner. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Steamboat Springs 5.3 Wnw | 0 in |
| Lower Elk | 9 in |
| Steamboat Springs | 0 in |
| Steamboat Springs 0.6 Nnw | 0 in |
| Steamboat Springs 0.7 Ese | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Dry Lake | — |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Elk River Near Milner.
Boat launches
See all →
River runs
See all →
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 Elk River Near Milner in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Elk River Near Milner crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Elk River Near Milner
Where does the streamflow data for Elk River Near Milner come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 09242500. 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 Elk River Near Milner 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.
Access the free Elk River Near Milner report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
- Flow alerts — get pinged the moment this river hits your range
- Save favorites — every river, lake & snowpack in one place
- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app