U.S. River Levels Today
As of October 17, 2026, 6,589 USGS gauges are reporting across the U.S. The typical gauge is at 95% of normal for the date — 2,567 running above normal and 2,909 below. The biggest flow is the Mississippi River At Vicksburg at 473,000 cfs.
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 Run High: Spring Surge Brings Dramatic Flows Across America's Waterways
A powerful convergence of spring runoff and recent precipitation has transformed America's river systems, with streamflows ranging from record-breaking surges to concerning drought conditions. The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown is leading the nation with an impressive 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), while smaller watersheds are experiencing even more dramatic percentage increases—the Wichita River in Texas is flowing at an astounding 84,686% of normal levels. From the Appalachians to the Rockies, water managers and outdoor enthusiasts are witnessing one of the most varied hydrological events in recent memory, with some rivers offering exceptional rafting conditions while others languish well below seasonal averages.
The nation's midsection tells a tale of two extremes. Minnesota's river systems—the Mississippi at St. Paul (23,900 cfs), and multiple Minnesota River gauges exceeding 14,000 cfs—are running robust but manageable flows under partly sunny skies.
In stark contrast, the Midwest and South are experiencing extraordinary watershed responses: Kansas and Oklahoma's Wichita River basin has exploded with flows reaching over 5,000% of normal, while Arkansas's White River system maintains strong recreational flows around 43,800 cfs at Batesville. The Ohio River's massive discharge is impacting communities from Pittsburgh to the confluence with the Mississippi, though weather forecasts suggest stabilization ahead. Meanwhile, Georgia's Savannah River system shows healthy flows near Port Wentworth (25,700 cfs), supporting both navigation and the Port of Savannah's operations.
Western conditions present equally dramatic contrasts. Idaho's Snake River maintains consistent dam-regulated flows between 8,000-19,200 cfs, providing reliable conditions for anglers and boaters despite smoky conditions from regional fires. California's Sacramento River at Verona shows moderate flows (15,900 cfs) under improving skies, while Arizona's Lower Verde watershed has surged to 1,344% of normal—a dramatic reversal for a typically arid region.
However, concerning drought signals persist: Washington's Puget Sound tributaries including the Samish and Green Rivers are running at just 55-72% of normal, while Alabama's Suwannee and Tombigbee systems show significant deficits at 24% and 68% of normal respectively, raising agricultural and municipal water supply concerns for the Southeast.
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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red River Near Burkburnett TX | Action stage | 7.34 ft | 9.0 ft | 6,970 cfs |
| Rio Grande At Rio Grande Village TX | Action stage | 11.19 ft | 13.0 ft | 7,560 cfs |
| Iowa River At Marshalltown IA | Action stage | 14.56 ft | 19.0 ft | 3,720 cfs |
| Llano River Near Mason TX | Action stage | 7.64 ft | 13.0 ft | 717 cfs |
Biggest river flows
| Gauge | Flow | % of normal |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Vicksburg MS | 473,000 cfs | 137% |
| Mississippi River At Memphis TN | 393,000 cfs | 106% |
| Mississippi River At Baton Rouge LA | 327,000 cfs | 122% |
| Columbia River @ Beaver Army Terminal Near Quincy OR | 305,000 cfs | 127% |
| Mississippi River At St. Louis MO | 210,000 cfs | 183% |
| Mississippi River At Thebes IL | 209,000 cfs | 179% |
| Mississippi River At Chester IL | 207,000 cfs | 176% |
| Savannah River At Fort Pulaski GA | 183,000 cfs | 133% |
| (coe) Atchafalaya River At Simmesport LA | 145,000 cfs | 145% |
| San Joaquin River A Jersey Point Ca CA | 145,000 cfs | 23% |
Rising fastest
| Gauge | 24h | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande At Rio Grande Village TX | +8,399,900% | 7,560 cfs |
| Pecan Bayou Near Mullin TX | +118,650% | 190 cfs |
| Clear Fork Brazos River At Hawley TX | +58,233% | 140 cfs |
| Bonpas Creek At Browns IL | +8,042% | 241 cfs |
| N Bosque River At Hico TX | +7,999% | 66 cfs |
| Paluxy River At Glen Rose TX | +7,216% | 72 cfs |
| W Fork Trinity River Near Jacksboro TX | +5,891% | 683 cfs |
| Red River Near Terral OK | +5,638% | 13,600 cfs |
| Brock Reservoir Outlet Near Calexico CA | +4,225% | 423 cfs |
| Oheo Gulch At Dam Near Kipahulu HI | +3,833% | 641 cfs |
USGS provisional data, 6,589 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 17, 2026, 6,589 USGS streamgauges are reporting; the typical gauge is at 95% of normal for the date, with 2,567 above normal and 2,909 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.