Burns Ditch At Portage flow report
As of July 14, 2026, Burns Ditch At Portage is flowing at 441 cfs with a gage height of 5.79 ft, receding 9% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #04095090, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Burns Ditch At Portage at a glance
How Burns Ditch At Portage is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Burns Ditch At Portage is flowing at 441 cfs, with the water sitting 5.79 ft at the gage. Flow is down 9% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #04095090 in Indiana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,012 cfs, peaking at 1,950 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Indiana flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Burns Ditch At Portage is expected to recede from today's 441 cfs, toward roughly 317 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 89-1127 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.
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.
Burns Ditch At Portage
The primary constituents of the stream are urban runoff, treated wastewater, and agricultural runoff. There are no significant tributaries or dams on the stream. Seasonal trends show higher flow rates in the spring due to snowmelt and increased precipitation, and lower flow rates in the summer and fall. Interestingly, the Burns Ditch was used as a location for illegal dumping of hazardous waste in the 1970s, leading to contamination of the stream and surrounding area. The cleanup efforts have been ongoing and have significantly improved the water quality.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Burns Ditch At Portage's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Burns Ditch At Portage | 441 cfs |
| Little Calumet River At Porter | 56 cfs |
| Deep River At Lake George Outlet At Hobart | 79 cfs |
| Grand Calumet River At Industrial Hwy At Gary | 687 cfs |
| Indiana Harbor Canal At East Chicago | 1,270 cfs |
| Trail Creek At Michigan City Harbor | 717 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Burns Ditch At Portage. 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 |
|---|---|
| Portage 2.4 Nnw | 0 in |
| Valparaiso 2.2 Wnw | 0 in |
| Valparaiso 1.8 Nw | 2 in |
| Chesterton 4.2 E | 0 in |
| Valparaiso 0.9 Nnw | 0 in |
| Valparaiso 2.0 Wsw | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Burns Ditch At Portage.
Boat launches
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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 Burns Ditch At Portage in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Burns Ditch At Portage crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Burns Ditch At Portage
Where does the streamflow data for Burns Ditch At Portage come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 04095090. 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 Burns Ditch At Portage 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 Burns Ditch At Portage report
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