Mississippi River At Brainerd Flow Report
As of July 25, 2026, Mississippi River At Brainerd is flowing at 861 cfs with a gage height of 4.64 ft. Source: USGS gauge #05242300, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Mississippi River At Brainerd at a glance
How Mississippi River At Brainerd is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Mississippi River At Brainerd is flowing at 861 cfs, with the water sitting 4.64 ft at the gage.
This is USGS gauge #05242300 in Minnesota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,335 cfs, peaking at 2,340 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 #05242300).
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, Mississippi River At Brainerd is expected to hold near today's 861 cfs, toward roughly 800 cfs by 2026-07-30 (likely range 352-1817 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.
Mississippi River At Brainerd
The river is fed by several tributaries, including the Crow Wing River, and there are several dams located upstream that can affect the flow. Seasonal trends show a peak in flow during the spring months due to snowmelt, while summer and fall tend to have lower flows. Interestingly, the Mississippi River at Brainerd has a unique feature known as a "braided channel," where the river splits into multiple channels and then rejoins again downstream. This can lead to complex flow patterns and make accurate measurements challenging. Overall, understanding the hydrology of the Mississippi River at Brainerd is important for managing water resources and predicting flood risks.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Mississippi River At Brainerd's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 861 cfs |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 580 cfs |
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 612 cfs |
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 144 cfs |
| Mississippi River Near Royalton | 1,600 cfs |
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 83 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Mississippi River At Brainerd. 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 |
|---|---|
| Brainerd | 0 in |
| Crosby 1.1 Sw | 0 in |
| Fort Ripley 0.8 N | 0 in |
| Cross Lake Dam | 0 in |
| Isle 12n | 10 in |
| Long Prairie | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Mississippi River At Brainerd.
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 Mississippi River At Brainerd in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Mississippi River At Brainerd crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Mississippi River At Brainerd
What is the Mississippi River At Brainerd flow rate right now?
As of July 25, 2026, Mississippi River At Brainerd is flowing at 861 cfs. The live value, gage height, and 24-hour trend are shown at the top of this page.
Is the Mississippi River At Brainerd running high or low right now?
Check the percent of median figure on this page: above 100% means Mississippi River At Brainerd is running higher than normal for the date, below 100% means lower. The 24-hour trend shows whether it's rising or falling.
Where does the streamflow data for Mississippi River At Brainerd come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05242300. 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 Mississippi River At Brainerd 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 Mississippi River At Brainerd report
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