St. Francis River Near Saco flow report
As of July 13, 2026, St. Francis River Near Saco is flowing at 2,770 cfs with a gage height of 6.98 ft, receding 37% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #07036100, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
St. Francis River Near Saco at a glance
How St. Francis River Near Saco is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
St. Francis River Near Saco is flowing at 2,770 cfs, with the water sitting 6.98 ft at the gage. Flow is down 37% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #07036100 in Missouri. Over the past 10 days the average has been 821 cfs, peaking at 4,400 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, St. Francis River Near Saco is expected to recede from today's 2770 cfs, toward roughly 896 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 277-2903 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 Missouri 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. Francis River Near Saco
Francis River near Saco, MO streamgauge measures the flow of water in the river. The river is fed by several smaller tributaries, including the Castor River and Little St. Francis River. There are no major dams on the river. The flow is typically highest in the spring due to snowmelt and spring rainfall, and lowest in the summer and fall. Interestingly, the St. Francis River is known for its high variability in flow, with rapid changes in water levels possible during periods of heavy rainfall. This can create challenging conditions for recreational activities like canoeing and kayaking.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check St. Francis River Near Saco's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| St. Francis River Near Saco | 2,770 cfs |
| St. Francis River Near Mill Creek | 1,470 cfs |
| St. Francis River Near Patterson | 3,150 cfs |
| Little St. Francis River At Fredericktown | 290 cfs |
| Black River Near Annapolis | 2,650 cfs |
| East Fork Black River At Lesterville | 44 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near St. Francis River Near Saco. 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 |
|---|---|
| Clearwater Dam - Black Rvr | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of St. Francis River Near Saco.
Nearby reservoirs
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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. Francis River Near Saco in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when St. Francis River Near Saco crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About St. Francis River Near Saco
Where does the streamflow data for St. Francis River Near Saco come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 07036100. 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. Francis River Near Saco 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. Francis River Near Saco report
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