Elk River Near Big Lake flow report
As of July 15, 2026, Elk River Near Big Lake is flowing at 172 cfs with a gage height of 1.03 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05275000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Elk River Near Big Lake at a glance
How Elk River Near Big Lake is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Elk River Near Big Lake is flowing at 172 cfs, with the water sitting 1.03 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05275000 in Minnesota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 180 cfs, peaking at 188 cfs.
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
Over the next 5 days, Elk River Near Big Lake is expected to hold near today's 172 cfs, toward roughly 160 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 81-315 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.
Elk River Near Big Lake
The river is mainly fed by precipitation and runoff from the surrounding watershed. Some of its tributaries include the West Branch Elk River and the Little Elk River. Seasonally, the river experiences high flows during spring due to snowmelt and heavy rainfall, while low flows occur during summer and fall. There are no major dams on the Elk River near Big Lake. Interestingly, the river is known for its recreational opportunities, such as fishing and kayaking, and has a history of being used for logging in the past.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Elk River Near Big Lake's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Elk River Near Big Lake | 172 cfs |
| Rum River Near St. Francis | 942 cfs |
| Elm Creek Nr Champlin | 16 cfs |
| Mississippi River At Anoka | 7,840 cfs |
| Crow River At Rockford | 1,390 cfs |
| Mississippi River Near Anoka | 8,330 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Elk River Near Big Lake. 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 |
|---|---|
| Kimball 3n | 0 in |
| Forest Lake 5ne | 0 in |
| Collegeville St John | 0 in |
| Wild River State Park | 0 in |
| Jordan 1ssw | 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 Elk River Near Big Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Elk River Near Big Lake crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Elk River Near Big Lake
Where does the streamflow data for Elk River Near Big Lake come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05275000. 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 Elk River Near Big Lake 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 Elk River Near Big Lake report
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