Minnesota River At Morton Flow Report
As of July 21, 2026, Minnesota River At Morton is flowing at 1,450 cfs with a gage height of 10.64 ft, receding 5% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05316580, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Minnesota River At Morton at a glance
How Minnesota River At Morton is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Minnesota River At Morton is flowing at 1,450 cfs, with the water sitting 10.64 ft at the gage. Flow is down 5% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05316580 in Minnesota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,956 cfs, peaking at 2,650 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Minnesota flow report.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #05316580).
Estimate flows at an ungauged site
Drainage-area ratio transfer from this gauge . Most reliable for hydrologically similar sites in the same watershed with area ratios between roughly 0.5 and 1.5.
Percentiles are flow-duration values computed from this gauge’s observed daily record as archived by Snoflo. Return periods are Weibull plotting-position estimates from observed annual maxima, provided as general reference context only. Always verify against official USGS NWIS records. Part of Snoflo for Engineering.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Minnesota River At Morton is expected to hold near today's 1450 cfs, toward roughly 1354 cfs by 2026-07-26 (likely range 325-5633 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.
| Date | Expected (p50) | Likely range (p25–p75) | vs normal | Projected stage |
|---|
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.
Minnesota River At Morton
The river is fed by several tributaries, including the Yellow Medicine River and the Cottonwood River, and is affected by dams such as the Marsh Lake Dam. Seasonal trends in water flow show that the river experiences high flows in the spring due to snowmelt and rainfall, while low flows occur in the summer and fall. Interestingly, the Minnesota River has a unique hydrology due to its prairie landscape and shallow depth, making it prone to flooding and sedimentation. Overall, the Morton stream gauge provides valuable information on the hydrology of the Minnesota River, which is important for managing water resources in the region.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Minnesota River At Morton's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Minnesota River At Morton | 1,450 cfs |
| Redwood River Near Redwood Falls | 46 cfs |
| Yellow Medicine River Near Granite Falls | 42 cfs |
| Minnesota River At New Ulm | 1,610 cfs |
| Cottonwood River Near New Ulm | 180 cfs |
| Little Cottonwood River Near Courtland | 33 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Minnesota River At Morton. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bird Island 7sse | 0 in |
| Brownton Wwtp | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Minnesota River At Morton.
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 Minnesota River At Morton in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Minnesota River At Morton crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Minnesota River At Morton
Where does the streamflow data for Minnesota River At Morton come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05316580. 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 Minnesota River At Morton 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 Minnesota River At Morton report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
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