Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville flow report
As of July 12, 2026, Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville is flowing at 485 cfs with a gage height of 8.24 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #07380401, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville at a glance
How Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville is flowing at 485 cfs, with the water sitting 8.24 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #07380401 in Louisiana. Over the past 10 days the average has been 529 cfs, peaking at 576 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville is expected to hold near today's 485 cfs, toward roughly 481 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 383-605 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 Louisiana 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.
Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville
The primary constituents of the flow are rainfall, surface water runoff, and groundwater discharge. The bayou is fed by several tributaries, including Bayou des Allemands and Bayou Lafourche North. There are no major dams along the bayou. Seasonal trends show that flow decreases during the dry season (fall and winter) and increases during the wet season (spring and summer). Interestingly, the bayou was once used as a major transportation route, with steamboats carrying goods and passengers between New Orleans and other towns along the bayou.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville | 485 cfs |
| Byu Lafourche @ Donaldsonville | 505 cfs |
| Amite River At Port Vincent | 4,480 cfs |
| Bayou Lafourche At Thibodaux | 643 cfs |
| Amite River Near Denham Springs | 2,190 cfs |
| Mississippi River At Baton Rouge | 637,000 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville. 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 |
|---|---|
| St Amant 3.3 N | 0 in |
| Shenandoah 1.5 E | 0 in |
| Shenandoah 1.9 Nw | 0 in |
| Brownfields 5.8 Ne | 0 in |
| Houma 4.4 Nnw | 0 in |
| Ponchatoula 5.3 W | 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 Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville
Where does the streamflow data for Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 07380401. 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 Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville 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 Bayou Lafourche Sw Of Donaldsonville report
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