L Blue River Near Barnes flow report
As of July 13, 2026, L Blue River Near Barnes is flowing at 2,520 cfs with a gage height of 8.15 ft, receding 58% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06884400, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
L Blue River Near Barnes at a glance
How L Blue River Near Barnes is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
L Blue River Near Barnes is flowing at 2,520 cfs, with the water sitting 8.15 ft at the gage. Flow is down 58% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #06884400 in Kansas. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,422 cfs, peaking at 6,120 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, L Blue R Nr Barnes is expected to recede from today's 2520 cfs, toward roughly 1100 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 372-3248 cfs) -- about normal for the date.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Kansas flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
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.
L Blue River Near Barnes
The primary constituents of the Blue River are agricultural runoff and precipitation, with potential related tributaries including Wolf Creek and Mill Creek. The hydrology of the Blue River is subject to seasonal trends, with higher flows typically occurring during the spring and summer months due to increased rainfall and snowmelt. Interestingly, the Blue River is known for its high levels of dissolved oxygen, making it a popular destination for fishing and recreational activities. Overall, the streamgauge serves as an important tool for monitoring the health and flow of the Blue River and its associated waterways.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check L Blue River Near Barnes's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| L Blue R Nr Barnes | 2,520 cfs |
| Mill C At Washington | 424 cfs |
| Big Blue R At Marysville | 967 cfs |
| Little Blue R At Hollenberg | 1,460 cfs |
| Fancy C At Winkler | 8 cfs |
| Black Vermillion R Nr Frankfort | 613 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near L Blue River Near Barnes. 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 |
|---|---|
| Blue Rapids 0.2 Wsw | 0 in |
| Blue Rapids | 0 in |
| Haddam | 0 in |
| Frankfort | 3 in |
| Beattie 4ne | 4 in |
| Fairbury | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of L Blue River Near Barnes.
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 L Blue River Near Barnes in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when L Blue River Near Barnes crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About L Blue River Near Barnes
Where does the streamflow data for L Blue River Near Barnes come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06884400. 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 L Blue River Near Barnes 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 L Blue River Near Barnes report
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