U.S. River Levels Today
As of October 2, 2026, 6,644 USGS gauges are reporting across the U.S. The typical gauge is at 85% of normal for the date — 2,067 running above normal and 3,292 below. The biggest flow is the Mississippi River At Vicksburg at 484,000 cfs and 15 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 Central U.S. as Extreme Flows Reshape Waterways
Rivers across the American heartland are experiencing dramatic flow variations, with several waterways reaching extraordinary levels while others face concerning drought conditions. The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown leads the nation with a massive 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), while numerous watersheds in the Midwest show flows exceeding 10,000% of normal levels. From Minnesota's swollen tributaries to Texas's stressed river systems, water managers and outdoor enthusiasts are witnessing one of the most extreme hydrological events in recent memory, with implications for navigation, recreation, and flood control across multiple states.
The Mississippi River basin is experiencing a tale of two extremes. While the main stem shows robust flows at Hastings (27,700 cfs) and St. Paul (23,900 cfs), Minnesota, its tributaries are exploding with unprecedented volumes.
The Minnesota River system is particularly remarkable, with the stretch near Jordan running at 16,900 cfs. Meanwhile, several Iowa watersheds are recording staggering percentage increases—the Little Chariton watershed in Missouri shows flows at an astounding 1,552,727% of normal, while Kansas's Little Blue River watershed exceeds 104,800% of normal. These extreme conditions create dangerous swift-water situations for boaters and anglers, though they may benefit late-season rafting operations on typically shallow stretches.
The White River in Arkansas maintains strong recreational flows at multiple gauges (43,800 cfs at Batesville), offering excellent conditions for fishing below dams.
In stark contrast, the Southeast presents a mixed picture that concerns water managers. Florida's St. Johns River shows healthy flows at Jacksonville (152,000 cfs), but Georgia's Savannah River system, while elevated at 25,700 cfs near Port Wentworth, reflects recent heavy rainfall rather than sustained abundance.
The Tombigbee River in Alabama runs at just 67% of normal despite recent precipitation. Western rivers face their own challenges—California's Sacramento River shows moderate flows suitable for salmon migration, while the Snake River system in Idaho and Oregon maintains adequate releases from Hells Canyon Dam (19,200 cfs) for both hydropower and fish passage. Texas rivers including the Trinity and Sabine show improved conditions following storms, though the Edwards Aquifer-dependent streams remain stressed at over 11,000% of normal, indicating flash flooding rather than drought relief.
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
15 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand River Near Sumner MO | Moderate flooding | 32.13 ft | 26.0 ft | 32,800 cfs |
| Big Sunflower River At Sunflower MS | Moderate flooding | 26.36 ft | 21.0 ft | 6,800 cfs |
| Marais Des Cygnes River Near Reading KS | Moderate flooding | 21.88 ft | 19.0 ft | 6,880 cfs |
| Mill Creek Near Paxico KS | Minor flooding | 26.17 ft | 21.0 ft | 16,600 cfs |
| Salt River At Hagers Grove MO | Minor flooding | 15.22 ft | 12.0 ft | 7,390 cfs |
| Solomon River At Beloit KS | Minor flooding | 22.46 ft | 20.0 ft | 4,510 cfs |
| Trinity River At Dallas TX | Minor flooding | 32.03 ft | 30.0 ft | 15,100 cfs |
| Salt Creek At Lyndon KS | Minor flooding | 11.77 ft | 10.0 ft | 5,380 cfs |
| Rio Grande At Rio Grande Village TX | Minor flooding | 14.67 ft | 13.0 ft | 12,100 cfs |
| Llano River At Llano TX | Minor flooding | 11.64 ft | 10.0 ft | 25,300 cfs |
| Republican River At Guide Rock NE | Minor flooding | 13.92 ft | 12.5 ft | 5,740 cfs |
| Llano River Near Mason TX | Minor flooding | 13.78 ft | 13.0 ft | 10,100 cfs |
| Rock Creek Near Ceresco NE | Minor flooding | 23.51 ft | 23.0 ft | 5,930 cfs |
| South Skunk River Near Ames IA | Minor flooding | 12.77 ft | 12.5 ft | 5,670 cfs |
| Kahana Stream At Alt 30 Fort Near Kahana HI | Minor flooding | 6.09 ft | 6.0 ft | 379 cfs |
| Arkansas River At Lamar CO | Action stage | 10.89 ft | 11.0 ft | 2,070 cfs |
| Volga River At Littleport IA | Action stage | 11.81 ft | 12.0 ft | 4,270 cfs |
| Chariton River Near Prairie Hill MO | Action stage | 14.15 ft | 15.0 ft | 11,500 cfs |
| Wakenda Creek At Carrollton MO | Action stage | 15.13 ft | 16.0 ft | 2,190 cfs |
| Turkey River Above French Hollow Creek At Elkader IA | Action stage | 10.94 ft | 12.0 ft | 6,560 cfs |
Biggest river flows
| Gauge | Flow | % of normal |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Vicksburg MS | 484,000 cfs | 142% |
| Mississippi River At Memphis TN | 481,000 cfs | 164% |
| Columbia River @ Beaver Army Terminal Near Quincy OR | 340,000 cfs | 122% |
| Mississippi River At Baton Rouge LA | 278,000 cfs | 108% |
| Mississippi River At Thebes IL | 223,000 cfs | 184% |
| Mississippi River At St. Louis MO | 211,000 cfs | 177% |
| Mississippi River At Chester IL | 207,000 cfs | 182% |
| (coe) Atchafalaya River At Simmesport LA | 136,000 cfs | 138% |
| San Joaquin River A Jersey Point Ca CA | 135,000 cfs | 23% |
| Missouri River At St. Joseph MO | 118,000 cfs | 283% |
Rising fastest
| Gauge | 24h | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Creek Near Sanger TX | +1,359,900% | 272 cfs |
| Walnut Creek At Webberville Rd TX | +675,900% | 68 cfs |
| Placedo Creek Near Placedo TX | +160,394% | 1,300 cfs |
| Arkansas River At Kendall KS | +95,857% | 451 cfs |
| Sister Grove Creek Near Blue Ridge TX | +85,650% | 69 cfs |
| Mud Creek Near Courtney OK | +75,552% | 174 cfs |
| Long Branch Creek Near Atlanta MO | +74,812% | 854 cfs |
| Cypress Creek At Katy-hockley Rd Near Hockley TX | +72,713% | 699 cfs |
| Big Sunflower River At Sunflower MS | +57,043% | 6,800 cfs |
| Wakenda Creek At Carrollton MO | +55,343% | 2,190 cfs |
USGS provisional data, 6,644 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 2, 2026, 6,644 USGS streamgauges are reporting; the typical gauge is at 85% of normal for the date, with 2,067 above normal and 3,292 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.