U.S. River Levels Today
As of November 6, 2026, 6,516 USGS gauges are reporting across the U.S. The typical gauge is at 85% of normal for the date — 2,035 running above normal and 3,293 below. The biggest flow is the Mississippi River At Vicksburg at 279,000 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.
Rivers Surge Across America: From Historic Floods to Extreme Droughts
Major waterways across the United States are experiencing dramatic extremes this week, with the Ohio River leading massive flows at 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) near Old Shawneetown, while several watersheds report streamflows exceeding 100 times normal levels. From Florida's swollen St. Johns River to Minnesota's overflowing tributaries, water managers and outdoor enthusiasts face unprecedented conditions ranging from exceptional flooding in the Southwest to concerning low flows in Alabama's Black Warrior River system.
The Midwest and Upper Mississippi Basin are experiencing particularly remarkable conditions. Minnesota's river systems are running exceptionally high, with the Minnesota River near Jordan flowing at 16,900 cfs and multiple gauges along the Mississippi River at St. Paul (23,900 cfs) and Hastings (27,700 cfs) reporting elevated flows.
The most dramatic watershed anomalies appear in Iowa, where the Des Moines River basin shows flows 784% above normal, while the Platte River in Missouri has surged to over 7,000% of typical levels. The Iowa River near its confluence points is flowing at 1,020% of normal, creating challenging conditions for anglers but potentially excellent opportunities for experienced whitewater enthusiasts on tributaries like the Cedar and Raccoon Rivers.
The Southwest presents an even more extreme picture, with several watersheds experiencing flows that defy seasonal norms. Arizona's Gila River system has exploded to over 13,000% of normal in some reaches, with the Lower Gila-Painted Rock Reservoir watershed recording an astounding 26,872% of typical flows. New Mexico's Rio Grande tributaries, including the Pecos River (4,104% of normal) and Conejos River (1,171% of normal), are running exceptionally high following recent precipitation events.
Meanwhile, the Southeast shows stark contrasts—Georgia's Savannah River maintains robust flows near 25,700 cfs at Port Wentworth, but Alabama's Tombigbee River system has dropped to just 57% of normal levels, raising drought concerns for water managers. These conditions reflect the nation's increasingly variable hydrological patterns, demanding careful monitoring by water resource professionals and adaptive planning by recreational river users.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Rice River Near Abercrombie ND | Minor flooding | 10.64 ft | 10.0 ft | 63 cfs |
| Arkansas River At Lamar CO | Action stage | 10.12 ft | 11.0 ft | 1,320 cfs |
| Peace River At Zolfo Springs Fl FL | Action stage | 15.00 ft | 16.0 ft | 2,290 cfs |
| Des Moines River Below Raccoon River At Des Moines IA | Action stage | 21.06 ft | 24.0 ft | 21,800 cfs |
Biggest river flows
| Gauge | Flow | % of normal |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Vicksburg MS | 279,000 cfs | 69% |
| Mississippi River At Memphis TN | 244,000 cfs | 77% |
| Mississippi River At Baton Rouge LA | 218,000 cfs | 75% |
| St. Johns River At Jacksonville FL | 162,000 cfs | 124% |
| Mississippi River At St. Louis MO | 146,000 cfs | 104% |
| Mississippi River At Chester IL | 143,000 cfs | 108% |
| Mississippi River At Thebes IL | 138,000 cfs | 100% |
| Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam WA | 133,000 cfs | 98% |
| Columbia River At The Dalles OR | 121,000 cfs | 93% |
| (coe) Atchafalaya River At Simmesport LA | 101,000 cfs | 97% |
Rising fastest
| Gauge | 24h | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Wailua River Near Lihue HI | +46,644% | 2,010 cfs |
| Mcalpine Creek At Sardis Road Near Charlotte NC | +18,158% | 283 cfs |
| Mcmullen Creek At Sharon View Rd Near Charlotte NC | +14,150% | 114 cfs |
| Elizabeth River At Ursino Lake At Elizabeth Nj NJ | +7,826% | 703 cfs |
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge CO | +6,648% | 471 cfs |
| Mcalpine Creek At Sr3150 Near Idlewild NC | +5,106% | 101 cfs |
| North Fork Licking River Near Mount Olivet KY | +4,380% | 379 cfs |
| Briar Creek Above Colony Rd At Charlotte NC | +4,186% | 94 cfs |
| Mcalpine Creek Below Mcmullen Creek Near Pineville NC | +3,584% | 133 cfs |
| North Canadian River Below Lake Overholser Near Okc OK | +2,680% | 181 cfs |
USGS provisional data, 6,516 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 6, 2026, 6,516 USGS streamgauges are reporting; the typical gauge is at 85% of normal for the date, with 2,035 above normal and 3,293 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.