Live streamflow across the country.
Real-time discharge from 10,000+ USGS streamgauges, surging-streamflow ranking, paddle-runnable status, and a daily AI briefing — refreshed throughout the day from USGS and NOAA feeds. Built for paddlers, anglers, water managers, and flood researchers.
What the rivers are running at
An AI-generated summary stitched from today's USGS streamgauge readings, NWS flood watches, and watershed status across the country.
Major river systems across the United States are experiencing dramatic extremes this week, with the Ohio River basin witnessing massive flows while portions of the Southeast face concerning drought conditions. The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown on the Illinois-Kentucky border is reporting an extraordinary 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), making it the nation's highest streamflow currently. Meanwhile, the Wabash River system in Indiana has exploded to over 1,000% of normal levels in some locations, and Florida's St. Johns River at Jacksonville is carrying 152,000 cfs under sunny skies. These conditions create both opportunities and hazards for water managers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
The Midwest is experiencing exceptional flooding conditions, particularly across Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. The Wabash River watershed shows the most dramatic surge, with the Lower Wabash reaching 845% of normal flow and the Middle Wabash-Busseron section hitting an astounding 1,441% of normal. This translates to the main Wabash channel carrying over 272,000 cfs—more than ten times its typical flow. The Upper Sangamon River in Illinois has skyrocketed to 11,309% of normal, while Ohio's Scioto River system runs at 1,020% of normal, impacting Columbus and surrounding communities. Pennsylvania's Allegheny tributaries, including the French and Conemaugh rivers, are flowing 600-1,100% above normal. These conditions make for dangerous river recreation but excellent conditions for assessing flood management infrastructure. In stark contrast, the Santa Cruz River in Arizona registers an incredible 91,034% of normal—though from an extremely low baseline—while the Paria River shows 12,321% of normal flows.
Not all regions share this abundance. The Lower Suwannee River in Florida languishes at just 24% of normal flow, and Alabama's Black Warrior River sits at a mere 13% of normal despite recent rains. The Tombigbee River system remains below normal at 86%, concerning for navigation and ecosystem health. For anglers and rafters, the White River in Arkansas offers robust flows of 43,800 cfs at Batesville with ideal conditions, while the Snake River system in Idaho maintains strong releases from Hells Canyon Dam at 19,200 cfs amid scattered snow showers. Minnesota's river systems—including multiple gauges on the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers near Minneapolis-St. Paul—are running moderately high under partly sunny skies, creating prime conditions for spring paddling season.
Top river runs by streamflow
Whitewater and paddle runs sorted by current discharge. Useful as a first-look for paddlers planning a trip and an early-warning signal for downstream flood watchers.
| 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 the streamflow data
Where does this data come from?
Discharge readings come directly from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgauge network — 10,000+ stations spread across every state. USGS publishes the data publicly; we aggregate, rank, and pair it with watershed boundaries and weather forecasts.
What is "cfs"?
Cubic feet per second — the standard unit for streamflow. One cfs is roughly 7.5 gallons per second flowing past the gauge. Small creeks run at single-digit cfs; the Mississippi runs at hundreds of thousands.
What does "percent of normal" mean?
The current flow at a gauge compared to its seasonal average for this date. 100% is right at the historical norm. 200%+ on a small-to-medium river is a strong indicator of flood conditions; below 70% indicates drought-stressed flow.
How fresh is the data?
USGS streamgauges report every 15 minutes; we re-pull every hour and re-rank. The AI briefing regenerates daily.
Can I get an alert when my home river fires?
Yes. Save any USGS gauge as a favorite in the Snoflo iOS app, set a threshold (e.g. "alert me at 200 cfs" or "alert me on stage above 12 ft"), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses. Free with a Snoflo account.
Is this a substitute for official flood warnings?
No. Snoflo is informational. For life-safety decisions follow guidance from your local NWS forecast office and emergency management. Use Snoflo data as one input among several.
Streamflow by state
Tap any state for USGS streamgauges, surging streamflows, and the daily AI flow briefing focused on that state.