Cedar River Near Austin flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Cedar River Near Austin is flowing at 641 cfs with a gage height of 4.35 ft, receding 31% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05457000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Cedar River Near Austin at a glance
How Cedar River Near Austin is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Cedar River Near Austin is flowing at 641 cfs, with the water sitting 4.35 ft at the gage. Flow is down 31% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05457000 in Minnesota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,895 cfs, peaking at 7,220 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Cedar River Near Austin is expected to recede from today's 940 cfs, toward roughly 603 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 218-1668 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.
Cedar River Near Austin
The river is fed by several small tributaries, including Hayfield Creek and Turtle Creek, and is also affected by several dams in the area. Seasonal trends can impact the flow of the river, with higher flows typically occurring during the spring snowmelt and after heavy rain events. The Cedar River is a popular spot for fishing and other outdoor activities, and it is known for its diverse aquatic wildlife. One interesting fact about the river is that it was once used as a transportation route for logs during the 19th century.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Cedar River Near Austin's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Cedar River Near Austin | 641 cfs |
| Winnebago River At Mason City | 317 cfs |
| South Fork Zumbro River At Rochester | 163 cfs |
| Cedar River At Charles City | 3,190 cfs |
| Straight River Near Faribault | 773 cfs |
| Little Cedar River Near Ionia | 943 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Cedar River Near Austin. 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 |
|---|---|
| Elma Iowa | 0 in |
| Ew0729 Rochester | 0 in |
| Charles City | 0 in |
| Bricelyn | 0 in |
| Elgin 2ssw | 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 Cedar River Near Austin in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Cedar River Near Austin crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Cedar River Near Austin
Where does the streamflow data for Cedar River Near Austin come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05457000. 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 Cedar River Near Austin 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 Cedar River Near Austin report
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