St. Joseph River Near Fort Wayne flow report
As of July 15, 2026, St. Joseph River Near Fort Wayne is flowing at 1,220 cfs with a gage height of 2.73 ft, rising 30% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #04180500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
St. Joseph River Near Fort Wayne at a glance
How St. Joseph River Near Fort Wayne is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
St. Joseph River Near Fort Wayne is flowing at 1,220 cfs, with the water sitting 2.73 ft at the gage. Flow is up 30% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #04180500 in Indiana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,209 cfs, peaking at 1,590 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 Near Fort Wayne is expected to recede from today's 1220 cfs, toward roughly 784 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 303-2026 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 Near Fort Wayne
Joseph River near Fort Wayne, IN stream gauge measures the flow of water in the river. The river is fed by several tributaries, including the Elkhart, the Cedar, and the St. Marys rivers. There are several dams along the river, including the Lafayette and the St. Joseph dams. During the spring and summer months, the river flow increases due to melting snow and rainfall. In the fall and winter months, the flow decreases due to less precipitation. Interesting fact: The St. Joseph River played a significant role in the history of Fort Wayne, as it was used for transportation and trade in the early 1800s.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check St. Joseph River Near Fort Wayne's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| St. Joseph River Near Fort Wayne | 1,220 cfs |
| Cedar Creek Near Cedarville | 43 cfs |
| Maumee River At New Haven | 412 cfs |
| Maumee River At Fort Wayne | 317 cfs |
| Cedar Creek At 18th Street At Auburn | 10 cfs |
| St. Marys River Near Fort Wayne | 91 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near St. Joseph River Near Fort Wayne. 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 |
|---|---|
| Fort Wayne 7.0 Ne | 0 in |
| Fort Wayne 4.1 Ne | 0 in |
| Huntertown 2.6 Ese | 0 in |
| Fort Wayne 5.5 N | 0 in |
| Fort Wayne 2.6 Ne | 0 in |
| Garrett | 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 Near Fort Wayne 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 Near Fort Wayne crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About St. Joseph River Near Fort Wayne
Where does the streamflow data for St. Joseph River Near Fort Wayne come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 04180500. 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 Near Fort Wayne 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 Near Fort Wayne report
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