Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park flow report
Historical Data
Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park at a glance
How Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park is flowing at 6,620 cfs, with the water sitting 688.05 ft at the gage. Flow is down 9% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05330920 in Minnesota.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Minnesota flow report.
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.
Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park
The river has several tributaries including the Cannon River and the Blue Earth River. Seasonal trends show higher flow during the spring due to snowmelt and rainfall, while summer and fall flows are typically lower. There are several dams along the river, including the Upper and Lower St. Anthony Falls, which were historically used to power mills. Interestingly, the Minnesota River was once one of the most polluted rivers in the country, but has since seen significant improvements in water quality due to conservation efforts.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park | 6,620 cfs |
| Mississippi River At St. Paul | 15,900 cfs |
| Shingle Creek At Queen Ave In Minneapolis | 4 cfs |
| Vermillion River Near Empire | 25 cfs |
| Mississippi River Near Anoka | 8,310 cfs |
| Mississippi River Below L&D #2 At Hastings | 16,600 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park. 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 |
|---|---|
| Hastings Dam 2 | 0 in |
| Jordan 1ssw | 0 in |
| Forest Lake 5ne | 0 in |
| Baldwin | 0 in |
| St Croix Falls | 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 Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park
Where does the streamflow data for Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05330920. 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 Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park 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 Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park report
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