Embarras River At Ste. Marie flow report
As of July 14, 2026, Embarras River At Ste. Marie is flowing at 2,460 cfs with a gage height of 7.05 ft, rising 71% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03345500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Embarras River At Ste. Marie at a glance
How Embarras River At Ste. Marie is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Embarras River At Ste. Marie is flowing at 2,460 cfs, with the water sitting 7.05 ft at the gage. Flow is up 71% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #03345500 in Illinois. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,499 cfs, peaking at 2,460 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Illinois flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Embarras River At Ste. Marie is expected to recede from today's 2460 cfs, toward roughly 1394 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 511-3802 cfs) -- about normal for the date.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
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.
Embarras River At Ste. Marie
Marie, IL stream gauge measures the water flow of the Embarras River, which is a tributary of the Wabash River. The river is mostly fed by agricultural runoff, and its flow is affected by rainfall and seasonal changes. There are no significant dams or tributaries in the immediate vicinity of the gauge. During spring and summer, the river experiences higher flows due to increased precipitation and agricultural runoff. Interestingly, the river is named after the French word "embarras," meaning obstacle or hindrance, likely due to its meandering path and tendency to flood.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Embarras River At Ste. Marie's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Embarras River At Ste. Marie | 2,460 cfs |
| North Fork Embarras River Near Oblong | 718 cfs |
| Embarras River At Lawrenceville | 2,340 cfs |
| Wabash River At Riverton Ind | 10,100 cfs |
| Little Wabash River Below Clay City | 725 cfs |
| Busseron Creek Near Carlisle | 109 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Embarras River At Ste. Marie. 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 |
|---|---|
| Graysville 5 Wnw | 0 in |
| Casey | 0 in |
| Clay City 6sse | 0 in |
| Marshall 4.6 W | 0 in |
| Mount Carmel 4.2 Nw | 0 in |
| Effingham 3sw | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Embarras River At Ste. Marie.
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 Embarras River At Ste. Marie in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Embarras River At Ste. Marie crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Embarras River At Ste. Marie
Where does the streamflow data for Embarras River At Ste. Marie come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03345500. 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 Embarras River At Ste. Marie 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 Embarras River At Ste. Marie report
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