U.S. River Levels Today
As of October 29, 2026, 6,574 USGS gauges are reporting across the U.S. The typical gauge is at 71% of normal for the date — 1,406 running above normal and 4,199 below. The biggest flow is the Columbia River @ Beaver Army Terminal Near Quincy at 358,000 cfs and 4 gauges are 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 Run High Across America: A Tale of Extremes from Drought to Deluge
Major waterways across the United States are experiencing dramatic extremes this week, with the mighty Ohio River leading the nation at a staggering 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) near Old Shawneetown, Kentucky—a flow rate that underscores powerful spring runoff and recent precipitation across the Ohio Valley. Meanwhile, Florida's St. Johns River at Jacksonville registers 152,000 cfs under sunny skies, and Arkansas's White River system shows remarkable activity with multiple gauges reporting flows exceeding 40,000 cfs.
However, the story isn't uniformly wet: Southern rivers like Alabama's Black Warrior and Florida's Suwannee are running at just 12% and 9% of normal flows respectively, painting a stark picture of regional drought conditions.
The Upper Midwest and Mountain West present fascinating contrasts for water managers and outdoor enthusiasts. Minnesota's river systems are running exceptionally high, with the Mississippi at St. Paul flowing at 23,900 cfs and the Minnesota River showing robust flows from Montevideo to Jordan—ideal conditions for anglers targeting spring walleye runs but potentially challenging for paddlers.
Out West, the Colorado River Basin tributaries are experiencing extraordinary flows: New Mexico's Rio Grande system is running at 914-2,745% of normal in various reaches, while Colorado's San Juan River tributaries—including the Animas (871% of normal), Piedra (2,040% of normal), and Florida Rivers—are providing world-class whitewater rafting conditions as snowmelt accelerates. California's Sacramento River maintains healthy flows near 16,000 cfs at Verona, supporting critical salmon migration.
For those planning river activities, conditions vary dramatically by region. The Southeast faces concerning low-flow conditions, with Georgia's Savannah River system and Alabama's Tombigbee running well below normal despite moderate absolute flows. Conversely, the Southwest's exceptional snowpack is translating into banner conditions: Arizona's Verde River (676% of normal) and Little Colorado River (1,914% of normal) offer rare opportunities, while Texas rivers like the Trinity and Sabine maintain strong flows exceeding 10,000 cfs.
Water managers should note the extreme variability—from Pennsylvania's Lehigh River benefiting from recent precipitation to the Pacific Northwest's Strait of Georgia watershed running at just 42% of normal—suggesting careful monitoring will be essential as we move deeper into the water year.
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
4 gauges are 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunns Creek Near Satsuma FL | Major flooding | 13.13 ft | 1.4 ft | 3,810 cfs |
| St. Johns River At Buffalo Bluff Near Satsuma FL | Major flooding | 13.04 ft | 1.4 ft | 18,300 cfs |
| Julington Creek At Old St. August Rd Near Bayard FL | Moderate flooding | 2.26 ft | 1.2 ft | 119 cfs |
| Moenkopi Wash At Moenkopi AZ | Minor flooding | 25.81 ft | 25.0 ft | 7.9 cfs |
| Wild Rice River Near Abercrombie ND | Action stage | 9.90 ft | 10.0 ft | 0.5 cfs |
Biggest river flows
| Gauge | Flow | % of normal |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia River @ Beaver Army Terminal Near Quincy OR | 358,000 cfs | 117% |
| Mississippi River At Vicksburg MS | 343,000 cfs | 99% |
| Mississippi River At Memphis TN | 269,000 cfs | 87% |
| Mississippi River At Baton Rouge LA | 267,000 cfs | 97% |
| Savannah River At Fort Pulaski GA | 188,000 cfs | 124% |
| San Joaquin River A Jersey Point Ca CA | 157,000 cfs | 23% |
| Mississippi River At St. Louis MO | 142,000 cfs | 110% |
| Mississippi River At Thebes IL | 139,000 cfs | 93% |
| Mississippi River At Chester IL | 134,000 cfs | 95% |
| (coe) Atchafalaya River At Simmesport LA | 119,000 cfs | 126% |
Rising fastest
| Gauge | 24h | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Reedy Fork Near Gibsonville NC | +117,500% | 2,940 cfs |
| Oheo Gulch At Dam Near Kipahulu HI | +81,335% | 1,930 cfs |
| Halawa Stream Near Halawa HI | +3,956% | 260 cfs |
| Burns Ditch At Portage IN | +3,434% | 200 cfs |
| Waimanalo Stream At Waimanalo HI | +1,988% | 167 cfs |
| White River Near White River SD | +1,443% | 577 cfs |
| Pine Island Bayou Above Bi Pump Plant TX | +1,169% | 58 cfs |
| Deschutes River Near Rainier WA | +1,114% | 76 cfs |
| Waikele Stream At Waipahu HI | +1,093% | 247 cfs |
| N New River Canal Below S351 Near South Bay Fla FL | +950% | 334 cfs |
USGS provisional data, 6,574 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 29, 2026, 6,574 USGS streamgauges are reporting; the typical gauge is at 71% of normal for the date, with 1,406 above normal and 4,199 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.