Republican River At Clay Center Flow Report
As of August 2, 2026, Republican River At Clay Center is flowing at 231 cfs with a gage height of 7.57 ft, rising 75% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06856600, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Republican River At Clay Center at a glance
How Republican River At Clay Center is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Republican River At Clay Center is flowing at 231 cfs, with the water sitting 7.57 ft at the gage. Flow is up 75% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #06856600 in Kansas. Over the past 10 days the average has been 314 cfs, peaking at 631 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Kansas flow report.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #06856600).
Estimate flows at an ungauged site
Drainage-area ratio transfer from this gauge . Most reliable for hydrologically similar sites in the same watershed with area ratios between roughly 0.5 and 1.5.
Percentiles are flow-duration values computed from this gauge’s observed daily record as archived by Snoflo. Return periods are Weibull plotting-position estimates from observed annual maxima, provided as general reference context only. Always verify against official USGS NWIS records. Part of Snoflo for Engineering.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Republican R At Clay Center is expected to recede from today's 231 cfs, toward roughly 207 cfs by 2026-08-07 (likely range 50-866 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
| Date | Expected (p50) | Likely range (p25–p75) | vs normal | Projected stage |
|---|
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.
Republican River At Clay Center
The primary flow provider is the Republican River, with potential tributaries including the Little Blue River and the Big Blue River, and potential dams include the Harlan County Dam and the Milford Dam. Seasonal trends show higher flows in the spring due to snowmelt and lower flows in the summer and fall. One quirky fact about the hydrology of this area is that the Republican River is the longest river in Kansas, stretching over 200 miles.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Republican River At Clay Center's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Republican River At Clay Center | 231 cfs |
| Fancy Creek At Winkler | 8 cfs |
| Chapman Creek Near Chapman | 49 cfs |
| Republican River Below Milford Dam | 508 cfs |
| Kansas River At Fort Riley | 1,750 cfs |
| Big Blue River Near Manhattan | 3,540 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Republican River At Clay Center. 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 |
|---|---|
| Clay Center | 0 in |
| Chapman | 0 in |
| Chapman 0.2 Sse | 0 in |
| Ft Riley | 0 in |
| Tuttle Creek Lake-Blue River | 0 in |
| Concordia Blosser Municipal | 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 Republican River At Clay Center in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Republican River At Clay Center crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Republican River At Clay Center
What is the Republican River At Clay Center flow rate right now?
As of August 2, 2026, Republican River At Clay Center is flowing at 231 cfs. The live value, gage height, and 24-hour trend are shown at the top of this page.
Is the Republican River At Clay Center running high or low right now?
Check the percent of median figure on this page: above 100% means Republican River At Clay Center is running higher than normal for the date, below 100% means lower. The 24-hour trend shows whether it's rising or falling.
Where does the streamflow data for Republican River At Clay Center come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06856600. 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 Republican River At Clay Center 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 Republican River At Clay Center report
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