U.S. River Levels Today
As of November 4, 2026, 6,545 USGS gauges are reporting across the U.S. The typical gauge is at 72% of normal for the date — 1,618 running above normal and 3,799 below. The biggest flow is the Mississippi River At Vicksburg at 285,000 cfs and 2 gauges are at or above NWS flood stage.
U.S. rivers right now
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What U.S. rivers are doing today
Today’s summary of USGS streamgauge readings, flood watches and watershed status across the country.
Major Rivers Surge Across Nation as Watersheds Show Extreme Variability
Rivers across the United States are experiencing dramatic swings in streamflow, with some watersheds recording flows exceeding 300 times normal levels while others face severe drought conditions. The most extreme situations are unfolding in the Southwest and Midwest, where recent precipitation has triggered exceptional runoff in Arizona, New Mexico, and the Four Corners region, while parts of the Southeast struggle with significantly below-normal flows. Major population centers including Jacksonville, Florida, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, and Tulsa, Oklahoma are experiencing elevated river levels that warrant close monitoring.
The Southwest is witnessing extraordinary conditions, with Arizona's Verde River system showing flows at 13,394% of normal—among the highest in the nation. The Lower Gila-Painted Rock Reservoir watershed has exploded to 69,096% of normal, transforming typically arid channels into raging torrents. In the Four Corners region, the Mancos River (53,431% of normal) and San Juan River tributaries including the Animas (3,144% of normal) and Piedra (5,448% of normal) are running exceptionally high.
California's Sacramento River at Verona is reporting 15,900 cfs, while Florida presents a mixed picture: Jacksonville's St. Johns River is flowing at 152,000 cfs with the lower basin at just 71% of normal, indicating drought conditions upstream despite high flows near the coast.
The Midwest tells a compelling story of spring runoff and recent rainfall. Minnesota's river systems are particularly active, with the Minnesota River near Jordan at 16,900 cfs and multiple gauges along the Mississippi showing elevated flows—27,700 cfs at Hastings and 23,900 cfs at St. Paul.
The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown leads the nation at 259,000 cfs. Arkansas's White River system shows sustained high flows with 43,800 cfs at Batesville. Meanwhile, concerning drought signals emerge in Alabama's Black Warrior River (14.6% of normal), Washington's Samish River (14.9% of normal), and Alabama's Tombigbee River (43.2% of normal).
For anglers and rafters, conditions are exceptional in Colorado and Arizona's rivers, though extreme caution is warranted given the unprecedented flow levels.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platte River Near Agency MO | Minor flooding | 24.63 ft | 20.0 ft | 14,700 cfs |
| One Hundred And Two River At Maryville MO | Minor flooding | 18.80 ft | 18.0 ft | 9,750 cfs |
| Tonto Creek Above Gun Creek AZ | Action stage | 15.82 ft | 16.0 ft | 51,400 cfs |
| Silver Creek NE | Action stage | 8.79 ft | 9.0 ft | 679 cfs |
| Carrizo Creek Near Show Low AZ | Action stage | 14.19 ft | 15.0 ft | 14,000 cfs |
| Thompson River At Davis City IA | Action stage | 9.86 ft | 12.0 ft | 9,520 cfs |
| Chariton River Near Chariton IA | Action stage | 17.23 ft | 19.5 ft | 3,260 cfs |
| Gila River At Calva AZ | Action stage | 17.19 ft | 20.0 ft | 12,100 cfs |
| Middle River Near Indianola IA | Action stage | 19.45 ft | 23.0 ft | 6,330 cfs |
| Grand River Near Gallatin MO | Action stage | 22.39 ft | 26.0 ft | 16,000 cfs |
Biggest river flows
| Gauge | Flow | % of normal |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Vicksburg MS | 285,000 cfs | 67% |
| Mississippi River At Memphis TN | 237,000 cfs | 56% |
| Mississippi River At Baton Rouge LA | 233,000 cfs | 83% |
| Mississippi River At St. Louis MO | 136,000 cfs | 101% |
| Mississippi River At Chester IL | 130,000 cfs | 98% |
| Mississippi River At Thebes IL | 126,000 cfs | 96% |
| (coe) Atchafalaya River At Simmesport LA | 106,000 cfs | 96% |
| Columbia River @ Beaver Army Terminal Near Quincy OR | 104,000 cfs | 108% |
| Columbia River At The Dalles OR | 98,300 cfs | 93% |
| San Joaquin River A Jersey Point Ca CA | 94,000 cfs | 23% |
Rising fastest
| Gauge | 24h | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| River Des Peres At St. Louis MO | +373,746% | 486 cfs |
| Little Platte River Near Plattsburg MO | +236,329% | 331 cfs |
| Paradise Creek Near Paradise KS | +78,724% | 134 cfs |
| West Fork Point Remove Creek Near Hattieville AR | +53,150% | 213 cfs |
| South Fork Of Little Red River At Clinton AR | +27,691% | 956 cfs |
| Queen Creek Below Whitlow Dam Near Superior AZ | +23,974% | 390 cfs |
| N New River Canal Below S351 Near South Bay Fla FL | +19,084% | 470 cfs |
| Massac Creek Near Paducah KY | +17,610% | 232 cfs |
| Red River At Denison Dam Near Denison TX | +14,515% | 6,270 cfs |
| Fletcher Creek At Sycamore View Road At Memphis TN | +12,175% | 410 cfs |
USGS provisional data, 6,545 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 4, 2026, 6,545 USGS streamgauges are reporting; the typical gauge is at 72% of normal for the date, with 1,618 above normal and 3,799 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.