Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens Flow Report

Idaho, USA USGS #13317660 ↗

As of July 21, 2026, Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens is flowing at 16,100 cfs with a gage height of 6.01 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #13317660, refreshed throughout the day.

⚠ Heat Advisory · Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 9:21PM PDT until July 23 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Stale data This gauge hasn’t reported in days (last reading unknown). The readings below may not reflect current conditions.
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Right now · latest observation
Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens
USGS gauge #13317660
16,100 cfs streamflow
Latest reading from this gauge.
Gage height
6.01ft
Water temp
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% of median
Since yesterday
↑ 3%
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Conditions summary

Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens at a glance

How Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.

Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens is flowing at 16,100 cfs, with the water sitting 6.01 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.

This is USGS gauge #13317660 in Idaho. Over the past 10 days the average has been 17,460 cfs, peaking at 19,700 cfs.

For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Idaho flow report.

Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens on the map Open map →
Site IDUSGS 13317660
Last updated2026-07-21
Gage height, ft6.01 ft
Streamflow, ft³/s16100.0 ft3/s
Temperature, water, °C22.0 deg C
Max recorded131,000 cfs
Engineering & permitting

Engineering Data

Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #13317660).

P10 exceedanceexceeded 10% of days
P25 exceedanceexceeded 25% of days
P50 (median)exceeded half of days
P75 exceedanceexceeded 75% of days
P90 exceedanceexceeded 90% of days
Period of recorddaily observations

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.

Conditions report:

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 outlook

Streamflow Forecast

Over the next 5 days, Snake River Bl Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens is expected to hold near today's 15700 cfs, toward roughly 15392 cfs by 2026-07-25 (likely range 11659-20321 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.

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Daily forecast table
DateExpected (p50)Likely range (p25–p75)vs normalProjected stage
Work-window check: flow below cfs
Historical context

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.

Detailed forecast

Weather Forecast

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day forecast

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.

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About this location

Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens

The flow of the river is provided by snowmelt from the high mountains and several tributaries, including the Henrys Fork and the Salmon River. The river is regulated by several dams, including the Palisades Dam and the American Falls Dam. Seasonal trends show that the river experiences higher flows during the spring and early summer due to snowmelt, while the fall and winter months see lower flows. Interesting facts include the Snake River being home to a variety of fish species, including sturgeon, and the river being a popular recreational spot for boating and fishing.

Regional streamflow

Nearby streamflow levels

Cross-check Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.

Regional snowpack

Nearby snowpack data

Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.

Nearby recreation

Plan a trip

Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens.

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 Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens in the Snoflo app

Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.

FAQ

About Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens

Where does the streamflow data for Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens come from?

Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 13317660. 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 Snake River Below Mcduff Rapids At China Gardens 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.