Live streamflow across the country.

# Major Rivers Surge Across America: From Record Highs in Texas Hill Country to Concerning Lows in the North

A dramatic hydrological divide is reshaping America's waterways this week, with portions of Texas experiencing extraordinary flooding while northern watersheds face alarming deficits. The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown leads the nation with a massive 259,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) flow, while Texas Hill Country rivers are posting staggering percentage increases—the Frio River running at an astonishing 418,900% of normal and the Nueces River at 402,600% of normal. These extreme variations present both opportunities and hazards for water managers and outdoor enthusiasts, from white-water rafting conditions on swollen rivers to fishing challenges in drought-stressed watersheds.

The Texas Hill Country is experiencing an unprecedented hydrological event, with the Upper Frio and Upper Nueces watersheds transformed by recent rainfall. The Frio River's flow has exploded from a mere 8 cfs to over 34,000 cfs, creating conditions that likely range from dangerous to impassable for recreational users. Similarly, the San Antonio River system and Cibolo Creek (31,600% of normal) are running exceptionally high. This deluge extends beyond Texas—Arizona's Santa Cruz River near Tucson shows flows at 45,000% of normal, indicating widespread southwestern precipitation. Meanwhile, major navigation arteries like the Ohio River and Mississippi River system (including gauges at Hastings and St. Paul, Minnesota) are handling robust but manageable spring flows, supporting commercial traffic while offering excellent conditions for fishing near Jacksonville, Florida, where the St. Johns River flows at 152,000 cfs.

Conversely, troubling deficits plague portions of the upper Midwest and Pacific Northwest. The Wild Rice River in North Dakota registers at just 29% of normal flow, while Washington's Strait of Georgia watersheds (73% of normal) and Lake Washington basin (69% of normal) indicate persistent drought conditions that could impact salmon migrations and summer water supplies for Seattle. The Black Warrior River in Alabama has dropped to a concerning 37% of normal despite nearby systems running high. For anglers and rafters, the Arkansas River system through Oklahoma and Kansas offers moderate opportunities with flows between 4,000-10,700 cfs, while California's Sacramento River maintains steady releases near 16,000 cfs at Verona—ideal for steelhead fishing. Water managers should closely monitor the extreme Texas conditions for potential downstream flooding impacts along the Gulf Coast in coming weeks.