Rum River Near St. Francis flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Rum River Near St. Francis is flowing at 865 cfs with a gage height of 3.66 ft, rising 24% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05286000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Rum River Near St. Francis at a glance
How Rum River Near St. Francis is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Rum River Near St. Francis is flowing at 865 cfs, with the water sitting 3.66 ft at the gage. Flow is up 24% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #05286000 in Minnesota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 442 cfs, peaking at 865 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Rum River Near St. Francis is expected to hold near today's 695 cfs, toward roughly 681 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 323-1436 cfs) -- drier than 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.
Rum River Near St. Francis
Francis, MN is a popular stream gauge that provides essential data on water flow for the area. The river is mainly fed by groundwater and precipitation, and its flow is heavily influenced by seasonal trends such as snowmelt and precipitation patterns. The river has several tributaries, including the Snake River, which joins the Rum River just east of St. Francis. There are no significant dams on the river. Interesting facts about the hydrology of the Rum River include the presence of numerous rapids and riffles, which provide valuable habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms. Additionally, the river is popular for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and paddling.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Rum River Near St. Francis's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Rum River Near St. Francis | 865 cfs |
| Mississippi River At Anoka | 7,840 cfs |
| Elm Creek Nr Champlin | 19 cfs |
| Elk River Near Big Lake | 174 cfs |
| Mississippi River Near Anoka | 8,310 cfs |
| Shingle Creek At Queen Ave In Minneapolis | 4 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Rum River Near St. Francis. 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 |
|---|---|
| Forest Lake 5ne | 0 in |
| Wild River State Park | 0 in |
| St Croix Falls | 0 in |
| Kimball 3n | 0 in |
| Hastings Dam 2 | 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 Rum River Near St. Francis in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Rum River Near St. Francis crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Rum River Near St. Francis
Where does the streamflow data for Rum River Near St. Francis come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05286000. 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 Rum River Near St. Francis 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 Rum River Near St. Francis report
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