Verdigris River Near Altoona flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Verdigris River Near Altoona is flowing at 324 cfs with a gage height of 4.08 ft, receding 6% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #07166500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Verdigris River Near Altoona at a glance
How Verdigris River Near Altoona is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Verdigris River Near Altoona is flowing at 324 cfs, with the water sitting 4.08 ft at the gage. Flow is down 6% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #07166500 in Kansas. Over the past 10 days the average has been 2,612 cfs, peaking at 5,070 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Verdigris R Nr Altoona is expected to recede from today's 347 cfs, toward roughly 155 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 13-1862 cfs) -- drier than 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.
Verdigris River Near Altoona
The constituents of the flow include water from the Verdigris River and its tributaries. There are no notable dams on this section of the river. The flow of the river tends to be highest in the spring and summer months due to snowmelt and rainfall. Interestingly, the river has a history of flooding, with the most significant flood occurring in 2007, causing significant damage to the surrounding area. The hydrology of the Verdigris River near Altoona, KS provides an important source of water for the local ecosystem and surrounding communities.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Verdigris River Near Altoona's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Verdigris R Nr Altoona | 324 cfs |
| Fall R At Fredonia | 1,470 cfs |
| Verdigris R At Independence | 2,280 cfs |
| Elk R At Elk Falls | 51 cfs |
| Neosho R Nr Iola | 9,190 cfs |
| Neosho R Nr Parsons | 9,640 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Verdigris River Near Altoona. 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 |
|---|---|
| Erie | 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 Verdigris River Near Altoona in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Verdigris River Near Altoona crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Verdigris River Near Altoona
Where does the streamflow data for Verdigris River Near Altoona come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 07166500. 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 Verdigris River Near Altoona 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 Verdigris River Near Altoona 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