Kennebec River At The Forks flow report
As of July 14, 2026, Kennebec River At The Forks is flowing at 488 cfs with a gage height of 1.98 ft. Source: USGS gauge #01042500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Kennebec River At The Forks at a glance
How Kennebec River At The Forks is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Kennebec River At The Forks is flowing at 488 cfs, with the water sitting 1.98 ft at the gage.
This is USGS gauge #01042500 in Maine. Over the past 10 days the average has been 522 cfs, peaking at 558 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Maine flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Kennebec River At The Forks is expected to hold near today's 488 cfs, toward roughly 448 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 187-1070 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.
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.
Kennebec River At The Forks
The primary flow providers are the Dead River and the South Branch Penobscot River. The gauge is situated near several hydroelectric dams, including the Wyman Dam and the Harris Station Dam. Seasonal trends show that spring and early summer typically have the highest flows, while winter flows are generally lower. Interestingly, the Kennebec River was once a major transportation route for timber and other goods, and now supports recreational activities such as whitewater rafting and fishing.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Kennebec River At The Forks's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Kennebec River At The Forks | 488 cfs |
| Spencer Stream At Mouth | 82 cfs |
| Dead River Near Dead River | 319 cfs |
| Piscataquis River At Blanchard | 18 cfs |
| Austin Stream At Bingham | 14 cfs |
| Kennebec River At Bingham | 1,770 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Kennebec River At The Forks. 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 |
|---|---|
| Moosehead Lake | 0 in |
| Brassua Dam | 0 in |
| Jackman | 0 in |
| Kingfield | 0 in |
| Solon 3.9 Ese | 0 in |
| Harmony | 6 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Kennebec River At The Forks.
Boat launches
See all →
River runs
See all →
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 Kennebec River At The Forks in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Kennebec River At The Forks crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Kennebec River At The Forks
Where does the streamflow data for Kennebec River At The Forks come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 01042500. 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 Kennebec River At The Forks 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 Kennebec River At The Forks 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