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.
**Nation's waterways are experiencing dramatic fluctuations this week, with the Ohio River leading a surge of elevated streamflows while several northeastern watersheds report extraordinary conditions exceeding 6,000% of normal levels.** The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown on the Kentucky-Illinois border is carrying a massive 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), making it the highest flow in the nation, while Florida's St. Johns River follows at 152,000 cfs near Jacksonville. These elevated conditions are creating both opportunities for river enthusiasts and concerns for water managers monitoring flood potential across multiple states.
The most dramatic situation is unfolding across Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River basin, where the Tioga watershed is experiencing flows at an astounding 6,062% of normal—485 cfs compared to its typical 8 cfs. The Upper Susquehanna-Tunkhannock watershed isn't far behind at 4,068% of normal. This surge is pushing major flows through the Lehigh River at Glendon, Pennsylvania (4,070 cfs), while the entire Susquehanna system processes spring runoff under partly cloudy skies. Meanwhile, the Allegheny River basin in western Pennsylvania is also running hot, with the French watershed at 4,191% of normal and multiple tributaries including the Clarion River contributing to elevated flows. These conditions present excellent opportunities for whitewater enthusiasts but require caution.
Out west, Minnesota's river systems are notably active with the Mississippi River at St. Paul carrying 23,900 cfs and the Minnesota River showing consistent high flows from Lac Qui Parle (5,040 cfs) down to Jordan (16,900 cfs). The Snake River is running strong across multiple states—from 19,200 cfs at Hells Canyon Dam on the Idaho-Oregon border to various Idaho sections maintaining 8,000+ cfs flows. Texas presents a mixed picture: while the Trinity River near Crockett flows at 10,400 cfs under mostly sunny skies, the Lower Trinity-Kickapoo watershed is experiencing an extreme 163,492% of normal flows. Conversely, drought concerns persist in Alabama where the Black Warrior River runs at just 27% of normal (697 cfs versus typical 2,590 cfs), and Washington's Cedar River struggles at only 11% of normal, signaling potential water supply challenges ahead for Seattle-area communities.
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.