Kootenai River At Leonia Flow Report
As of July 20, 2026, Kootenai River At Leonia is flowing at 9,930 cfs with a gage height of 13.15 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12305000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Kootenai River At Leonia at a glance
How Kootenai River At Leonia is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Kootenai River At Leonia is flowing at 9,930 cfs, with the water sitting 13.15 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #12305000 in Idaho. Over the past 10 days the average has been 10,048 cfs, peaking at 10,100 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Idaho flow report.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #12305000).
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, Kootenai River At Leonia Id is expected to hold near today's 10000 cfs, toward roughly 9764 cfs by 2026-07-24 (likely range 6859-13900 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
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.
Kootenai River At Leonia
Flow providers of the river at this gauge include snowmelt and precipitation from the surrounding mountains. The Kootenai River has several tributaries, including the Yaak River and the Moyie River, and is affected by the Libby Dam located upstream. Seasonally, the river experiences high flows in the spring due to snowmelt and lower flows in the summer and fall. The Kootenai River is known for its unique population of white sturgeon, which can grow up to 20 feet long and live over 100 years.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Kootenai River At Leonia's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Kootenai River At Leonia Id | 9,930 cfs |
| Yaak River Near Troy Mt | 193 cfs |
| Kootenai River Bel Moyie River Nr Bonners Ferry Id | 10,100 cfs |
| Kootenai River @ Tribal Hatchery Nr Bonners Ferry | 15,700 cfs |
| Pack River Nr Colburn Id | 610 cfs |
| Moyie River At Eastport Id | 146 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Kootenai River At Leonia. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bonners Ferry | 0 in |
| Sandpoint 13.9 Ne | 0 in |
| Myrtle Creek | 0 in |
| Myrtle Creek | 0 in |
| Bear Mountain | 1 in |
| Nohrsc Bear Mountain | 1 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Kootenai River At Leonia.
Boat launches
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River runs
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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 Kootenai River At Leonia in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Kootenai River At Leonia crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Kootenai River At Leonia
Where does the streamflow data for Kootenai River At Leonia come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12305000. 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 Kootenai River At Leonia 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 Kootenai River At Leonia report
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