Buffalo River Near Hawley flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Buffalo River Near Hawley is flowing at 169 cfs with a gage height of 4.55 ft, receding 10% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05061000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Buffalo River Near Hawley at a glance
How Buffalo River Near Hawley is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Buffalo River Near Hawley is flowing at 169 cfs, with the water sitting 4.55 ft at the gage. Flow is down 10% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05061000 in Minnesota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 120 cfs, peaking at 206 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Buffalo River Near Hawley is expected to recede from today's 169 cfs, toward roughly 137 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 42-439 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 Minnesota 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.
Buffalo River Near Hawley
The river is fed by several tributaries and has several dams along its length. The primary constituents of the river include dissolved solids and nitrogen compounds. The river experiences seasonal variations in flow, with higher flows in the spring and lower flows in the summer and fall. Interestingly, the Buffalo River is known for its high level of pollutants, including E. coli, which has led to warnings against swimming in the river in some areas. Overall, the hydrology of the Buffalo River near Hawley, MN is complex, with a variety of factors affecting its flow and quality.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Buffalo River Near Hawley's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Buffalo River Near Hawley | 169 cfs |
| South Branch Buffalo River At Sabin | 45 cfs |
| Buffalo River Near Dilworth | 155 cfs |
| Red River Of The North At Fargo | 1,040 cfs |
| Red River Of The North At Hickson | 925 cfs |
| Sheyenne River At West Fargo | 358 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Buffalo River Near Hawley. 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 |
|---|---|
| Sabin | 0 in |
| Fargo 3s | 0 in |
| Hector International Arpt | 0 in |
| Breckenridge 4ne | 0 in |
| Fergus Falls 4.9 E | 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 Buffalo River Near Hawley in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Buffalo River Near Hawley crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Buffalo River Near Hawley
Where does the streamflow data for Buffalo River Near Hawley come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05061000. 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 Buffalo River Near Hawley 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 Buffalo River Near Hawley report
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