U.S. River Levels Today
As of October 9, 2026, 6,602 USGS gauges are reporting across the U.S. The typical gauge is at 79% of normal for the date — 1,745 running above normal and 3,773 below. The biggest flow is the Mississippi River At Vicksburg at 431,000 cfs and 5 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.
Major Rivers Surge Across Nation as Midwest and South See Dramatic Streamflow Spikes
Rivers across the United States are experiencing a tale of two extremes, with several major waterways recording exceptionally high flows while others struggle with depleted conditions. The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown leads the nation with a massive 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), while Florida's St. Johns River pushes 152,000 cfs through Jacksonville. Meanwhile, dramatic watershed anomalies paint a concerning picture: the Cahokia-Joachim watershed near St. Louis is running at an astonishing 57,700% of normal flows, while Alabama's Black Warrior River languishes at just 50% of typical levels, and Florida's Suwannee River struggles at merely 18% of normal.
The Mississippi River basin is witnessing exceptional activity, with multiple Minnesota gauges reporting elevated flows. The Mississippi at Hastings registers 27,700 cfs, while its tributary, the Minnesota River, shows consistently high readings from Lac Qui Parle (5,040 cfs) downstream to Jordan (16,900 cfs). The Iowa River system is experiencing extraordinary conditions at 1,498% of normal flows, creating prime conditions for anglers targeting walleye and catfish in the turbulent waters, though boaters should exercise extreme caution.
In the Southeast, Georgia's Savannah River is running strong with 25,700 cfs near Port Wentworth, affecting Savannah's waterfront, while the state's Altamaha River pushes 13,400 cfs at Doctortown.
Western rivers present mixed conditions for outdoor enthusiasts. Idaho's Snake River shows robust flows from Heise (9,510 cfs) to Hells Canyon Dam (19,200 cfs) with scattered snow showers continuing to feed the system—excellent news for whitewater rafters planning spring trips. California's Sacramento River at Verona maintains healthy flows at 15,900 cfs under clearing skies.
However, the Richland watershed in Washington state is experiencing extreme flooding at 5,210% of normal, while the Republican River in Kansas runs at an unprecedented 8,610% of normal. Arkansas's White River system shows particularly strong flows, with Batesville recording 43,800 cfs, creating challenging but rewarding conditions for trout fishermen below the dams at Calico Rock and Norfork.
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
5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Johns River At Jacksonville FL | Major flooding | 11.87 ft | 1.4 ft | 170,000 cfs |
| St. Johns River At Astor FL | Moderate flooding | 3.01 ft | 2.3 ft | 4,240 cfs |
| Black Warrior River At Selden L & D Near Eutaw AL | Minor flooding | 96.00 ft | 90.0 ft | 724 cfs |
| Deep Creek At Spuds FL | Minor flooding | 2.62 ft | 1.7 ft | 635 cfs |
| St. Marys River Near Macclenny FL | Minor flooding | 12.32 ft | 12.0 ft | 2,300 cfs |
| Manatee River Near Myakka Head Fl FL | Action stage | 10.95 ft | 11.0 ft | 519 cfs |
| Cedar River Near Conesville IA | Action stage | 12.64 ft | 13.0 ft | 20,500 cfs |
| Little Manatee River Near Wimauma Fl FL | Action stage | 10.19 ft | 11.0 ft | 706 cfs |
| Satilla River At Atkinson GA | Action stage | 11.66 ft | 13.0 ft | 3,170 cfs |
| Kansas River Near Belvue KS | Action stage | 16.72 ft | 20.0 ft | 20,600 cfs |
| Llano River Near Mason TX | Action stage | 7.04 ft | 13.0 ft | 470 cfs |
Biggest river flows
| Gauge | Flow | % of normal |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Vicksburg MS | 431,000 cfs | 148% |
| Mississippi River At Memphis TN | 401,000 cfs | 149% |
| Mississippi River At Thebes IL | 377,000 cfs | 322% |
| Mississippi River At Chester IL | 346,000 cfs | 286% |
| Mississippi River At Baton Rouge LA | 339,000 cfs | 134% |
| Mississippi River At St. Louis MO | 328,000 cfs | 290% |
| St. Johns River At Jacksonville FL | 170,000 cfs | 145% |
| (coe) Atchafalaya River At Simmesport LA | 149,000 cfs | 162% |
| Missouri River At St. Charles MO | 114,000 cfs | 190% |
| Missouri River At Hermann MO | 109,000 cfs | 264% |
Rising fastest
| Gauge | 24h | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande De Loiza Below Damsite Loiza PR | +13,381% | 457 cfs |
| Kamananui Stream At Maunawai HI | +7,994% | 467 cfs |
| Opaeula Stream Near Wahiawa HI | +4,995% | 188 cfs |
| Arkansas River Below John Martin Reservoir CO | +1,933% | 81 cfs |
| Lehigh River Below Francis E Walter Reservoir Near White Haven Pa PA | +1,494% | 3,650 cfs |
| Rio Grande Near Castolon TX | +1,456% | 133 cfs |
| South Fork Kaukonahua Stream At E Pump HI | +1,401% | 101 cfs |
| Haulover Canal Near Mims FL | +1,337% | 1,480 cfs |
| Kamananui Stream At Pupukea Mil Rd HI | +873% | 81 cfs |
| Waikele Stream At Waipahu HI | +852% | 219 cfs |
USGS provisional data, 6,602 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 9, 2026, 6,602 USGS streamgauges are reporting; the typical gauge is at 79% of normal for the date, with 1,745 above normal and 3,773 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.