St. Joseph River At Elkhart flow report
As of July 14, 2026, St. Joseph River At Elkhart is flowing at 3,580 cfs with a gage height of 19.79 ft, receding 7% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #04101000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
St. Joseph River At Elkhart at a glance
How St. Joseph River At Elkhart is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
St. Joseph River At Elkhart is flowing at 3,580 cfs, with the water sitting 19.79 ft at the gage. Flow is down 7% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #04101000 in Indiana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 4,391 cfs, peaking at 5,390 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, St. Joseph River At Elkhart is expected to recede from today's 3580 cfs, toward roughly 3080 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 1989-4768 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.
St. Joseph River At Elkhart
Joseph River at Elkhart, IN is an important stream gauge that provides crucial information about the flow of the river. The river is influenced by several constituents, including urban and agricultural runoff, and industrial discharges. The river has several tributaries, including the Elkhart River, which can affect its flow. The river's flow is subject to seasonal trends, with the highest flows occurring in the spring due to snowmelt and rainfall. One interesting fact about the hydrology of the St. Joseph River is that it has been dammed in several locations for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. Overall, the St. Joseph River at Elkhart, IN is an essential stream gauge that provides valuable data for researchers and policymakers.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check St. Joseph River At Elkhart's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| St. Joseph River At Elkhart | 3,580 cfs |
| Elkhart River At Goshen | 551 cfs |
| St. Joseph River At Mottville | 1,830 cfs |
| Juday Creek Near South Bend | 39 cfs |
| St. Joseph River At Niles | 3,810 cfs |
| Dowagiac River At Sumnerville | 276 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near St. Joseph River At Elkhart. 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 |
|---|---|
| Elkhart Public Works & Ut | 0 in |
| Elkhart 4.8 Sw | 0 in |
| Mishawaka 3.9 Ene | 0 in |
| Goshen 2.8 Nw | 0 in |
| Wakarusa 2.4 Nne | 0 in |
| Goshen 3.0 Wsw | 0 in |
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 St. Joseph River At Elkhart in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when St. Joseph River At Elkhart crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About St. Joseph River At Elkhart
Where does the streamflow data for St. Joseph River At Elkhart come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 04101000. 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 St. Joseph River At Elkhart 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 St. Joseph River At Elkhart report
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