U.S. River Levels Today
As of October 22, 2026, 6,586 USGS gauges are reporting across the U.S. The typical gauge is at 83% of normal for the date — 1,904 running above normal and 3,563 below. The biggest flow is the Mississippi River At Vicksburg at 438,000 cfs and 3 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 Surge Across America: Major Waterways See Dramatic Spring Flows
Major Rivers Experiencing Exceptional Conditions
Rivers across the United States are running at dramatically varied levels this spring, with some waterways experiencing extraordinary surges while others face concerning droughts. The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown leads the nation with a massive 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) flow, while the St. Johns River at Jacksonville, Florida registers 152,000 cfs. Meanwhile, several western watersheds show extreme anomalies—Arizona's Paria River is flowing at an astounding 30,614% of normal levels, and the Little Colorado River registers 6,328% of normal, indicating significant snowmelt or recent precipitation events in the Colorado Plateau region.
Regional Hotspots and Urban Impacts
The Mississippi River basin continues robust flows with multiple Minnesota monitoring points showing elevated readings, including 27,700 cfs below Lock & Dam #2 at Hastings, affecting the Twin Cities metro area. Arkansas's White River system shows consistently high flows at three locations (Batesville, Calico Rock, and Norfork), excellent news for trout anglers but requiring caution for rafters. Georgia's Savannah River basin maintains strong flows from Augusta to Port Wentworth, with 25,700 cfs near Savannah, supporting navigation and hydroelectric operations.
California's Sacramento River at Verona flows at 15,900 cfs, suggesting healthy Sierra Nevada snowpack runoff benefiting the Central Valley's water supply.
Watershed Extremes and Outdoor Recreation Outlook
The contrast between regions is stark: while Iowa's Des Moines River watershed shows 1,683% of normal flow—creating challenging but exciting conditions for kayakers—the Pacific Northwest's Samish and Green Rivers in Washington run at just 33% and 62% of normal respectively, indicating persistent drought. The Four Corners region presents exceptional opportunities, with Colorado's San Juan River system (including the Animas, Piedra, and Dolores rivers) running 900-2,200% above normal—prime conditions for experienced whitewater enthusiasts through late spring. Water managers in Texas and Oklahoma are monitoring the Arkansas River system closely, with flows near Tulsa at 10,700 cfs, while Florida's unique tidal St.
Johns River shows stable conditions for bass fishing tournaments in Jacksonville.
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
3 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 | 12.28 ft | 1.4 ft | 142,000 cfs |
| Black Warrior River At Selden L & D Near Eutaw AL | Minor flooding | 95.69 ft | 90.0 ft | 2,600 cfs |
| Deep Creek At Spuds FL | Minor flooding | 2.20 ft | 1.7 ft | 175 cfs |
| Black Warrior River At Northport Al AL | Action stage | 123.43 ft | 129.0 ft | 702 cfs |
Biggest river flows
| Gauge | Flow | % of normal |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Vicksburg MS | 438,000 cfs | 118% |
| Mississippi River At Memphis TN | 342,000 cfs | 105% |
| Mississippi River At Baton Rouge LA | 306,000 cfs | 109% |
| Mississippi River At St. Louis MO | 172,000 cfs | 155% |
| Mississippi River At Thebes IL | 170,000 cfs | 145% |
| Mississippi River At Chester IL | 166,000 cfs | 148% |
| St. Johns River At Jacksonville FL | 142,000 cfs | 125% |
| (coe) Atchafalaya River At Simmesport LA | 138,000 cfs | 139% |
| Columbia River At The Dalles OR | 82,000 cfs | 104% |
| Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam WA | 73,100 cfs | 84% |
Rising fastest
| Gauge | 24h | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Escalante River Near Escalante UT | +67,336% | 263 cfs |
| Paria River Near Kanab UT | +49,468% | 1,720 cfs |
| Santa Ana River A E St. Near San Bernardino Ca CA | +33,891% | 2,240 cfs |
| Tongue River At Akra ND | +30,724% | 52 cfs |
| Paria River At Lees Ferry AZ | +27,947% | 2,370 cfs |
| Arroyo Trabuco A San Juan Capistrano Ca CA | +26,059% | 395 cfs |
| San Gabriel River Above Whittier Narrows Dam Ca CA | +20,538% | 388 cfs |
| Chinle Creek Near Mexican Water AZ | +19,753% | 135 cfs |
| Caloosahatchee Canal Dws Of S-77 At Moore Haven Fl FL | +7,579% | 65 cfs |
| Little Colorado River Near Cameron AZ | +7,278% | 8,190 cfs |
USGS provisional data, 6,586 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 22, 2026, 6,586 USGS streamgauges are reporting; the typical gauge is at 83% of normal for the date, with 1,904 above normal and 3,563 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.