Minnesota River At Ortonville flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Minnesota River At Ortonville is flowing at 364 cfs with a gage height of 3.25 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05292000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Minnesota River At Ortonville at a glance
How Minnesota River At Ortonville is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Minnesota River At Ortonville is flowing at 364 cfs, with the water sitting 3.25 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05292000 in Minnesota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 206 cfs, peaking at 752 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Minnesota River At Ortonville is expected to recede from today's 373 cfs, toward roughly 277 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 69-1113 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.
Minnesota River At Ortonville
The stream gauge measures the water level and flow rate of the river, which is influenced by precipitation, snowmelt, and groundwater inputs. The Minnesota River has several tributaries and dams along its course, including the Yellow Medicine River and the Lac qui Parle Dam. The river's flow rate is generally highest in the spring and lowest in the fall, due to seasonal precipitation patterns and agricultural water use. Interestingly, the Minnesota River is known for its high sediment load, which can cause flooding and water quality issues. Overall, understanding the hydrology of the Minnesota River is important for managing water resources in the region.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Minnesota River At Ortonville's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Minnesota River At Ortonville | 364 cfs |
| Whetstone River Near Big Stone City | 136 cfs |
| Yellow Bank River Near Odessa | 214 cfs |
| Pomme De Terre River At Appleton | 270 cfs |
| Little Minnesota River Near Peever | 52 cfs |
| Lac Qui Parle River Near Lac Qui Parle | 134 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Minnesota River At Ortonville. 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 |
|---|---|
| Artichoke Lake 1 E | 0 in |
| Browns Valley | 0 in |
| Dawson | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Minnesota River At Ortonville.
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 Ortonville 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 Ortonville crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Minnesota River At Ortonville
Where does the streamflow data for Minnesota River At Ortonville come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05292000. 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 Ortonville 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 Ortonville report
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