Yellow River At Plymouth flow report

Indiana, USA USGS #05516500 ↗

As of July 15, 2026, Yellow River At Plymouth is flowing at 240 cfs with a gage height of 5.52 ft, receding 9% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05516500, refreshed throughout the day.

⚠ Heat Advisory · Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 1:21AM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
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
Yellow River At Plymouth
USGS gauge #05516500
240 cfs streamflow
Latest reading from this gauge.
Gage height
5.52ft
Water temp
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% of median
Since yesterday
↓ -9%
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Conditions summary

Yellow River At Plymouth at a glance

How Yellow River At Plymouth is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.

Yellow River At Plymouth is flowing at 240 cfs, with the water sitting 5.52 ft at the gage. Flow is down 9% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.

This is USGS gauge #05516500 in Indiana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 920 cfs, peaking at 1,860 cfs.

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

Yellow River At Plymouth on the map Open map →
Site IDUSGS 05516500
Last updated2026-07-15
Gage height, ft5.52 ft
Streamflow, ft³/s240.0 ft3/s
Turbidity, water, unfiltered, monochrome near infra-red LED light, 780-900 nm, detection angle 90 ±2.5°, formazin nephelometric units (FNU)9.2 FNU
Temperature, water, °C23.4 deg C
Max recorded5,600 cfs
Streamflow outlook

Streamflow Forecast

Over the next 5 days, Yellow River At Plymouth is expected to recede from today's 265 cfs, toward roughly 189 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 77-467 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.

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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

Yellow River At Plymouth

The river flows into the Tippecanoe River, which is a major tributary to the Wabash River. The river is influenced by precipitation, snowmelt, and upstream reservoir releases, resulting in seasonal fluctuations in flow. There are no major dams on the Yellow River, but there are several smaller ones used for flood control and recreation. Despite being a small river, the Yellow River has a high level of biodiversity and is home to several species of fish and wildlife. Overall, the Yellow River is an important water resource in the region, supporting recreation, agriculture, and ecology.

Regional streamflow

Nearby streamflow levels

Cross-check Yellow River At Plymouth'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 Yellow River At Plymouth. 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 Yellow River At Plymouth.

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 Yellow River At Plymouth in the Snoflo app

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

FAQ

About Yellow River At Plymouth

Where does the streamflow data for Yellow River At Plymouth come from?

Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05516500. 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 Yellow River At Plymouth 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.