Mississippi River At Clinton Flow Report
As of July 20, 2026, Mississippi River At Clinton is flowing at 49,600 cfs with a gage height of 9.71 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05420500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Mississippi River At Clinton at a glance
How Mississippi River At Clinton is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Mississippi River At Clinton is flowing at 49,600 cfs, with the water sitting 9.71 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05420500 in Iowa. Over the past 10 days the average has been 53,980 cfs, peaking at 61,700 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Iowa flow report.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #05420500).
Estimate flows at an ungauged site
Drainage-area ratio transfer from this gauge . Most reliable for hydrologically similar sites in the same watershed with area ratios between roughly 0.5 and 1.5.
Percentiles are flow-duration values computed from this gauge’s observed daily record as archived by Snoflo. Return periods are Weibull plotting-position estimates from observed annual maxima, provided as general reference context only. Always verify against official USGS NWIS records. Part of Snoflo for Engineering.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Mississippi River At Clinton is expected to hold near today's 49600 cfs, toward roughly 47434 cfs by 2026-07-25 (likely range 26924-83567 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
| Date | Expected (p50) | Likely range (p25–p75) | vs normal | Projected stage |
|---|
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Mississippi River At Clinton
The major constituents of the flow are from upstream tributaries such as the Wisconsin River, the upper Mississippi River, and the Minnesota River. The dam at Pool 13 affects the flow, and the flow tends to be lowest during the winter months and highest during the spring snowmelt. The hydrology of this area has some quirky facts, including the formation of islands and the constant shift of the river channel due to sediment deposition and erosion. Additionally, Clinton, IA is known for its annual Bald Eagle watch, where hundreds of eagles can be spotted feeding on fish in the open water below the dam.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Mississippi River At Clinton's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Clinton | 49,600 cfs |
| Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt | 2,540 cfs |
| Rock River Near Joslin | 4,830 cfs |
| Crow Creek At Bettendorf | 5 cfs |
| Green River Near Geneseo | 464 cfs |
| Duck Creek At Dc Golf Course At Davenport | 63 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Mississippi River At Clinton. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Clinton No 1 | 0 in |
| Park View 0.2 Wsw | 0 in |
| Bettendorf 2.2 Se | 0 in |
| Eldridge 0.7 Ssw | 0 in |
| Davenport Wfo | 0 in |
| Quad Cities | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Mississippi River At Clinton.
River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Mississippi River At Clinton in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Mississippi River At Clinton crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Mississippi River At Clinton
Where does the streamflow data for Mississippi River At Clinton come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05420500. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Mississippi River At Clinton rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Mississippi River At Clinton report
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