Mississippi River At Mcgregor flow report
Historical Data
Mississippi River At Mcgregor at a glance
How Mississippi River At Mcgregor is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Mississippi River At Mcgregor is flowing at 21,700 cfs, with the water sitting 8.16 ft at the gage.
This is USGS gauge #05389500 in Iowa.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Iowa flow report.
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.
Mississippi River At Mcgregor
The river receives water from various tributaries, including the Wisconsin, Chippewa, and Black Rivers. The river flow is influenced by seasonal trends, with high flow in the spring due to snowmelt and precipitation, and low flow in the summer and fall. There are several dams on the Mississippi River that affect flow, including Lock and Dam No. 9 and No. 10. A quirky fact is that the Mississippi River is the third-largest watershed in the world, with a drainage basin that covers 1.2 million square miles.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Mississippi River At Mcgregor's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Mcgregor | 21,700 cfs |
| Bloody Run Creek Near Marquette | 34 cfs |
| Yellow River At Ion | 143 cfs |
| Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader | 1,510 cfs |
| Kickapoo River At Steuben | 689 cfs |
| Turkey River At Garber | 2,370 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Mississippi River At Mcgregor. 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 |
|---|---|
| Lock & Dam 10 | 0 in |
| Postville 5.5 Ne | 0 in |
| Gays Mills | 0 in |
| Fayette | 0 in |
| Genoa Dam 8 | 0 in |
| Mississippi River | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Mississippi River At Mcgregor.
Boat launches
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River runs
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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 Mississippi River At Mcgregor in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Mississippi River At Mcgregor crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Mississippi River At Mcgregor
Where does the streamflow data for Mississippi River At Mcgregor come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05389500. 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 Mississippi River At Mcgregor 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 Mississippi River At Mcgregor report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
- Flow alerts — get pinged the moment this river hits your range
- Save favorites — every river, lake & snowpack in one place
- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app