Mill River At Northampton flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Mill River At Northampton is flowing at 12 cfs with a gage height of 5.46 ft, receding 14% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #01171500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Mill River At Northampton at a glance
How Mill River At Northampton is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Mill River At Northampton is flowing at 12 cfs, with the water sitting 5.46 ft at the gage. Flow is down 14% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #01171500 in Massachusetts. Over the past 10 days the average has been 25 cfs, peaking at 99 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Mill River At Northampton is expected to hold near today's 14 cfs, toward roughly 14 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 4-50 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Massachusetts 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.
Mill River At Northampton
The river's primary constituents are precipitation, groundwater, and surface runoff. There are several potential tributaries that contribute to the river, including the East Branch of the Mill River and the West Branch of the Mill River. The river is subject to seasonal trends, with higher flows in the spring and lower flows in the summer and fall. There are several dams in the area that impact the river's flow, including the Paradise Pond Dam and the Leeds Dam. One quirky fact about the hydrology of the Mill River is that it was once diverted to power mills in the area.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Mill River At Northampton's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Mill River At Northampton | 12 cfs |
| Westfield River At Knightville | 67 cfs |
| Connecticut R At Interstate 391 Bridge At Holyoke | 5,180 cfs |
| Middle B Westfield River At Goss Heights | 8 cfs |
| West Branch Westfield River At Huntington | 30 cfs |
| Chicopee River At Indian Orchard | 323 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Mill River At Northampton. 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 |
|---|---|
| Easthampton 1.0 E | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Westhampton 0.4 Wnw | 0 in |
| Westhampton 1.8 Sw | 0 in |
| Amherst | 0 in |
| Conway 0.9 Sw | 0 in |
| Conway 3.4 Wsw | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Mill River At Northampton.
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 Mill River At Northampton in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Mill River At Northampton crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Mill River At Northampton
Where does the streamflow data for Mill River At Northampton come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 01171500. 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 Mill River At Northampton 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 Mill River At Northampton 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