Vermilion River Near Crane Lake flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Vermilion River Near Crane Lake is flowing at 189 cfs with a gage height of 5.28 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05129115, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Vermilion River Near Crane Lake at a glance
How Vermilion River Near Crane Lake is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Vermilion River Near Crane Lake is flowing at 189 cfs, with the water sitting 5.28 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05129115 in Minnesota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 221 cfs, peaking at 252 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Vermilion River Nr Crane Lake is expected to hold near today's 189 cfs, toward roughly 183 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 90-371 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
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.
Vermilion River Near Crane Lake
The river is fed by several tributaries, including the Trout Lake Creek and the Little Vermilion River. There are no major dams along the river. The flow of the river is typically highest in the spring due to snowmelt and rain, and lowest in the fall and winter. The Vermilion River is known for its clear waters and is a popular destination for fishing and kayaking. Interesting fact: The Vermilion River is named for the red-colored clay found along its banks.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Vermilion River Near Crane Lake's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Vermilion River Nr Crane Lake | 189 cfs |
| Gold Portage Outlet From Kabetogama Lk Nr Ray | 616 cfs |
| Basswood River Near Winton | 602 cfs |
| South Kawishiwi R Abv White Iron Lake Nr Ely | 187 cfs |
| Little Fork River At Littlefork | 156 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Vermilion River Near Crane Lake. 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 |
|---|---|
| Nohrsc Orr 3e | 0 in |
| Kabetogama Lake Visitor Ctr | 0 in |
| Cook | 0 in |
| Celina 2e | 0 in |
| Tower | 0 in |
| International Falls 8.8 E | 14 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 Vermilion River Near Crane Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Vermilion River Near Crane Lake crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Vermilion River Near Crane Lake
Where does the streamflow data for Vermilion River Near Crane Lake come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05129115. 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 Vermilion River Near Crane Lake 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 Vermilion River Near Crane Lake report
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