St. Louis River At Scanlon flow report
As of July 13, 2026, St. Louis River At Scanlon is flowing at 1,290 cfs with a gage height of 3.45 ft, receding 8% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #04024000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
St. Louis River At Scanlon at a glance
How St. Louis River At Scanlon is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
St. Louis River At Scanlon is flowing at 1,290 cfs, with the water sitting 3.45 ft at the gage. Flow is down 8% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #04024000 in Minnesota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,656 cfs, peaking at 2,080 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, St. Louis River At Scanlon is expected to recede from today's 1410 cfs, toward roughly 1201 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 557-2589 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.
St. Louis River At Scanlon
Louis River stream gauge at Scanlon, MN measures the flow rate of the river. The St. Louis River is a major tributary of Lake Superior and its flow is influenced by the rainfall, snowmelt, and runoff from its watershed. The river is fed by numerous tributaries, including the Knife River and the Cloquet River, and its flow is regulated by several dams. In the winter, the river's flow is typically low due to ice cover and reduced precipitation, while spring and summer bring higher flows due to snowmelt and rainfall. Interesting facts about the St. Louis River include that it was once heavily polluted but has since been restored and is now a popular spot for fishing and recreation.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check St. Louis River At Scanlon's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| St. Louis River At Scanlon | 1,290 cfs |
| Nemadji River Near South Superior | 134 cfs |
| Knife River Near Two Harbors | 5 cfs |
| Bois Brule River At Brule | 111 cfs |
| St. Croix River Near Danbury | 823 cfs |
| Kettle River Below Sandstone | 393 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near St. Louis River At Scanlon. 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 |
|---|---|
| Cloquet 2.1 Ese | 0 in |
| Cloquet 3.4 Ene | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Cloquet | 0 in |
| Duluth Nws | 0 in |
| Duluth | 5 in |
| Superior Wwtp | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of St. Louis River At Scanlon.
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 St. Louis River At Scanlon in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when St. Louis River At Scanlon crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About St. Louis River At Scanlon
Where does the streamflow data for St. Louis River At Scanlon come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 04024000. 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 St. Louis River At Scanlon 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 St. Louis River At Scanlon report
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