Payette River Near Letha flow report
As of July 15, 2026, Payette River Near Letha is flowing at 823 cfs with a gage height of 7.58 ft, rising 17% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #13250000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Payette River Near Letha at a glance
How Payette River Near Letha is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Payette River Near Letha is flowing at 823 cfs, with the water sitting 7.58 ft at the gage. Flow is up 17% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #13250000 in Idaho. Over the past 10 days the average has been 932 cfs, peaking at 1,440 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 #13250000).
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, Payette River Nr Letha Id is expected to hold near today's 823 cfs, toward roughly 773 cfs by 2026-07-20 (likely range 514-1162 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.
Payette River Near Letha
The river is primarily fed by snowmelt and has several reservoirs and dams along its course. The flow of the river is highly seasonal, with peak flows in late spring and early summer, and lower flows in the fall and winter. The river is popular for recreational activities, including rafting and fishing. The hydrology of the Payette River is also affected by wildfires, which can cause flash floods and debris flows.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Payette River Near Letha's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Payette River Nr Letha Id | 823 cfs |
| Payette River Nr Emmett Id | 1,590 cfs |
| N Middleton Drain (Mill Slough) At Middleton Id | 46 cfs |
| South Middleton Drain At Middleton Id | 121 cfs |
| W Hartley Gulch Nr Caldwell Id | 21 cfs |
| Conway Gulch Below 1st St At Notus | 28 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Payette River Near Letha. 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 |
|---|---|
| Emmett 2e | 0 in |
| Homedale 1 Se | 0 in |
| Homedale 4.0 Wnw | 0 in |
| Meridian 3.9 Se | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Snowschool 1 | 114 in |
| Meridian 4.8 Sse | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Payette River Near Letha.
Boat launches
See all →
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 Payette River Near Letha in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Payette River Near Letha crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Payette River Near Letha
Where does the streamflow data for Payette River Near Letha come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 13250000. 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 Payette River Near Letha 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 Payette River Near Letha report
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