Live streamflow across the country.

# Rivers Run High: Midwest and Northeast Experience Exceptional Streamflows While Southeast Shows Mixed Conditions

A significant hydrological event is unfolding across the United States, with river systems from the Ohio Valley to the Upper Midwest experiencing dramatically elevated flows. The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown on the Kentucky-Illinois border is leading the nation with an astounding 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), while multiple watersheds in Iowa, Kansas, and the Northeast are running at 1,500% to over 6,000% of normal levels. This surge comes as scattered thunderstorms move through the central states and recent heavy precipitation has overwhelmed river systems from Pennsylvania to Texas, creating both opportunities for water managers and challenges for flood-prone communities.

The Midwest is experiencing the most dramatic conditions, with Iowa's river systems particularly swollen. The Des Moines River basin is witnessing extraordinary flows, with the Lower Des Moines watershed at 2,190% of normal and multiple gauges exceeding 15,000 cfs. The Wapsipinicon River near Clinton is flowing at 9,460 cfs—over 1,500% of normal—while the Cedar River system shows similar extreme conditions. Minnesota's river networks are equally impressive, with the Minnesota River recording flows between 9,500-16,900 cfs at multiple locations from Montevideo to Jordan, transforming typically modest streams into roaring waterways. These conditions are impacting major population centers including Des Moines, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Davenport, where the Mississippi River below Lock & Dam #2 at Hastings measures 27,700 cfs.

The Northeast presents a striking contrast with smaller watersheds showing the most extreme percentage increases. New Jersey's Hackensack-Passaic watershed is running at an incredible 4,305% of normal, while Connecticut's Quinnipiac basin registers 3,088% of normal—turning typically gentle streams into significant torrents. Meanwhile, the Southeast shows a different pattern: Florida's St. Johns River at Jacksonville flows at 152,000 cfs but remains in normal range, while the Suwannee basin runs at just 77% of normal, indicating emerging drought stress. For anglers and rafters, conditions are exceptional in Arkansas where the White River system offers three major gauges with flows between 18,200-43,800 cfs—ideal for experienced whitewater enthusiasts but requiring extreme caution.