Mississippi River At Grand Rapids flow report
As of July 15, 2026, Mississippi River At Grand Rapids is flowing at 287 cfs with a gage height of 3.08 ft, receding 31% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05211000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Mississippi River At Grand Rapids at a glance
How Mississippi River At Grand Rapids is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Mississippi River At Grand Rapids is flowing at 287 cfs, with the water sitting 3.08 ft at the gage. Flow is down 31% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05211000 in Minnesota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 467 cfs, peaking at 628 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, Mississippi River At Grand Rapids is expected to rise from today's 421 cfs, toward roughly 468 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 211-1039 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.
Mississippi River At Grand Rapids
The river's flow is influenced by various factors such as precipitation, snowmelt, and dam releases. The water constituents in the river include sediments, nutrients, and pollutants that can affect water quality. The river has several tributaries, including the Crow Wing River and Prairie River, which can also impact its flow. Dams on the river, such as the Ball Club Dam, can cause fluctuations in the river's flow. Seasonal trends in the river's flow include high water levels in the spring due to snowmelt and lower levels in the fall. An interesting fact about the Mississippi River at Grand Rapids is that it is a popular destination for recreational activities like canoeing and fishing.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Mississippi River At Grand Rapids's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 287 cfs |
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 77 cfs |
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 1,700 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Mississippi River At Grand Rapids. 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 |
|---|---|
| Pokegana Lk Dam | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Bovey 3.5 S | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Coleraine 0.7 S | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Grand Rapids 6.2 Ssw | 0 in |
| Cohasset 7.4 S | 0 in |
| Grand Rapids 12n | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Mississippi River At Grand Rapids.
Boat launches
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River runs
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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 Mississippi River At Grand Rapids in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Mississippi River At Grand Rapids crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Mississippi River At Grand Rapids
Where does the streamflow data for Mississippi River At Grand Rapids come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05211000. 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 Mississippi River At Grand Rapids 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 Mississippi River At Grand Rapids report
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