Salmon River At White Bird flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Salmon River At White Bird is flowing at 8,010 cfs with a gage height of 14.60 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #13317000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Salmon River At White Bird at a glance
How Salmon River At White Bird is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Salmon River At White Bird is flowing at 8,010 cfs, with the water sitting 14.60 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #13317000 in Idaho. Over the past 10 days the average has been 10,246 cfs, peaking at 13,600 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Salmon River At White Bird Id is expected to recede from today's 8370 cfs, toward roughly 7171 cfs by 2026-07-16 (likely range 4452-11548 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Idaho flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
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.
Salmon River At White Bird
The river is fed by several tributaries, including the Little Salmon River and the Secesh River, and dammed at several points, such as the Salmon River Diversion Dam. Seasonal trends show a peak flow in early June, followed by a gradual decrease throughout the summer and fall months. Interesting facts about the hydrology of the Salmon River include its designation as a "Wild and Scenic River" and its role as a popular location for recreational activities like whitewater rafting and fishing.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Salmon River At White Bird's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Salmon River At White Bird Id | 8,010 cfs |
| Little Salmon River At Riggins Id | 301 cfs |
| Imnaha River At Imnaha | 150 cfs |
| Sf Clearwater River At Stites Id | 325 cfs |
| Clear Ck At Kooskia National Fish Hatchery | 18 cfs |
| Snake River Bl Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens | 17,500 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Salmon River At White Bird. 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 |
|---|---|
| Lucile 1.2 Nne | 0 in |
| Grangeville 0.2 Ene | 0 in |
| Kamiah | 0 in |
| Secesh Summit | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Secesh Summit | 0 in |
| Dixie North | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Salmon River At White Bird.
Boat launches
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River runs
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Nearby fishing
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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 Salmon River At White Bird in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Salmon River At White Bird crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Salmon River At White Bird
Where does the streamflow data for Salmon River At White Bird come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 13317000. 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 Salmon River At White Bird 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 Salmon River At White Bird report
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