U.S. River Levels Today
As of October 5, 2026, 6,619 USGS gauges are reporting across the U.S. The typical gauge is at 90% of normal for the date — 2,261 running above normal and 3,134 below. The biggest flow is the Mississippi River At Vicksburg at 517,000 cfs and 1 gauge is 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 Central U.S. as Watersheds Report Extreme Flows
A dramatic hydrological event is unfolding across America's heartland, where numerous rivers and watersheds are experiencing streamflows ranging from 5 to 580 times above normal levels. The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown leads the nation with flows of 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), while dozens of smaller watersheds—particularly across Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota—are seeing unprecedented percentage increases above historical averages. From the Mississippi River system in Minnesota to the Trinity River in Texas, water managers are tracking what appears to be a coordinated weather pattern driving extreme runoff conditions across multiple regions.
The Midwest is experiencing the most dramatic conditions, with Iowa's river systems in full surge. The Cedar River is flowing at 1,272% of normal, while the Iowa River system shows flows at 1,692% of normal. Minnesota's river network tells a similar story: the Minnesota River near Jordan is carrying 16,900 cfs, and multiple gauges along its length show flows 800-2,700% above average.
Perhaps most striking is the Middle Big Blue watershed in Kansas (58,176% of normal) and the Skunk River system in Iowa (22,716% of normal), indicating extreme localized rainfall events. The Mississippi River at St. Paul and Hastings shows elevated but manageable flows of 23,900 and 27,700 cfs respectively, suggesting coordinated snowmelt and rainfall across the Upper Mississippi basin.
Meanwhile, contrasting conditions persist elsewhere. Florida's St. Johns River at Jacksonville shows high absolute flows (152,000 cfs) but represents only 69% of normal for the Lower St.
Johns watershed—a concerning drought signal for the Southeast. The Pacific Northwest shows scattered snow showers affecting the Snake River system in Idaho and Oregon, with flows remaining within seasonal parameters. For anglers and rafters, the Arkansas tributaries—including the White River at Batesville (43,800 cfs) and multiple points downstream—offer excellent high-water conditions, though extreme caution is warranted on Iowa's Cedar and Iowa rivers where flows are dramatically above safe recreational levels.
Water managers from Houston's Buffalo-San Jacinto watershed (4,696% of normal) to New Mexico's Rio Grande at Albuquerque (1,246% of normal) are monitoring what may be one of the most geographically diverse high-flow events in recent years.
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
1 gauge is 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tombigbee River At Demopolis L&d Near Coatopa AL | Minor flooding | 73.78 ft | 68.0 ft | 2,730 cfs |
| Little Satilla River Near Offerman GA | Action stage | 8.50 ft | 9.0 ft | 737 cfs |
| St. Marys River Near Macclenny FL | Action stage | 11.36 ft | 12.0 ft | 1,790 cfs |
| Styx River Near Elsanor AL | Action stage | 8.52 ft | 12.0 ft | 1,580 cfs |
| Big Coldwater Creek Near Milton FL | Action stage | 5.44 ft | 10.0 ft | 905 cfs |
Biggest river flows
| Gauge | Flow | % of normal |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Vicksburg MS | 517,000 cfs | 167% |
| Mississippi River At Memphis TN | 385,000 cfs | 138% |
| Mississippi River At Baton Rouge LA | 341,000 cfs | 128% |
| Mississippi River At St. Louis MO | 336,000 cfs | 287% |
| Mississippi River At Chester IL | 274,000 cfs | 238% |
| Mississippi River At Thebes IL | 240,000 cfs | 203% |
| Missouri River At Glasgow MO | 200,000 cfs | 427% |
| Missouri River At Hermann MO | 194,000 cfs | 345% |
| Missouri River At Jefferson City MO | 189,000 cfs | 363% |
| Missouri River At Boonville MO | 189,000 cfs | 397% |
Rising fastest
| Gauge | 24h | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Mission River At Refugio TX | +75,233% | 113 cfs |
| Garcitas Creek Near Inez TX | +30,793% | 173 cfs |
| Sheyenne River Diversion At West Fargo ND | +13,216% | 261 cfs |
| River Des Peres At St. Louis MO | +10,664% | 831 cfs |
| Cypress Bayou Near Keithville LA | +8,338% | 108 cfs |
| Marais Des Cygnes River At Melvern KS | +4,202% | 542 cfs |
| Brock Reservoir Outlet Near Calexico CA | +3,177% | 331 cfs |
| Sopchoppy River Near Sopchoppy FL | +2,790% | 97 cfs |
| Noonday Creek At Hawkins Store Rd GA | +2,638% | 68 cfs |
| Rio Fajardo Near Fajardo PR | +2,314% | 112 cfs |
USGS provisional data, 6,619 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 October 5, 2026, 6,619 USGS streamgauges are reporting; the typical gauge is at 90% of normal for the date, with 2,261 above normal and 3,134 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.