Sand Hill River At Climax Flow Report

Minnesota, USA USGS #05069000 ↗

As of July 26, 2026, Sand Hill River At Climax is flowing at 68 cfs with a gage height of 4.64 ft, receding 11% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05069000, refreshed throughout the day.

⚠ Heat Advisory · Heat Advisory issued July 26 at 6:15AM CDT until July 26 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Stale data This gauge hasn’t reported in days (last reading unknown). The readings below may not reflect current conditions.
Today high
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Streamflow
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Right now · latest observation
Sand Hill River At Climax
USGS gauge #05069000
68 cfs streamflow
Latest reading from this gauge.
Gage height
4.64ft
Water temp
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% of median
Since yesterday
↓ -11%
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Conditions summary

Sand Hill River At Climax at a glance

How Sand Hill River At Climax is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.

Sand Hill River At Climax is flowing at 68 cfs, with the water sitting 4.64 ft at the gage. Flow is down 11% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.

This is USGS gauge #05069000 in Minnesota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 127 cfs, peaking at 169 cfs.

For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Minnesota flow report.

Sand Hill River At Climax on the map Open map →
Site IDUSGS 05069000
Last updated2026-07-26
Gage height, ft4.64 ft
Streamflow, ft³/s67.8 ft3/s
Stream water level elevation above NAVD 1988, in ft825.56 ft
Max recorded4,320 cfs
Engineering & permitting

Engineering Data

Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #05069000).

P10 exceedanceexceeded 10% of days
P25 exceedanceexceeded 25% of days
P50 (median)exceeded half of days
P75 exceedanceexceeded 75% of days
P90 exceedanceexceeded 90% of days
Period of recorddaily observations

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.

Conditions report:

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 outlook

Streamflow Forecast

Over the next 5 days, Sand Hill River At Climax is expected to recede from today's 76 cfs, toward roughly 53 cfs by 2026-07-30 (likely range 20-142 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.

Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.

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Daily forecast table
DateExpected (p50)Likely range (p25–p75)vs normalProjected stage
Work-window check: flow below cfs
Historical context

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.

Detailed forecast

Weather Forecast

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day forecast

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.

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About this location

Sand Hill River At Climax

The primary flow providers to the river are the Sand Hill River and its tributaries. There are no major dams on the river, but there are several smaller ones that can impact flow. During the spring months, the river experiences its highest flows due to snowmelt. Summer and fall months typically have lower flows. Interesting facts about the Sand Hill River include its designation as a Class III trout stream and the presence of several rare plant and animal species along its banks.

Regional streamflow

Nearby streamflow levels

Cross-check Sand Hill River At Climax's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.

Regional snowpack

Nearby snowpack data

Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Sand Hill River At Climax. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.

Nearby recreation

Plan a trip

Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Sand Hill River At Climax.

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 Sand Hill River At Climax in the Snoflo app

Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Sand Hill River At Climax crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.

FAQ

About Sand Hill River At Climax

What is the Sand Hill River At Climax flow rate right now?

As of July 26, 2026, Sand Hill River At Climax is flowing at 68 cfs. The live value, gage height, and 24-hour trend are shown at the top of this page.

Is the Sand Hill River At Climax running high or low right now?

Check the percent of median figure on this page: above 100% means Sand Hill River At Climax 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 Sand Hill River At Climax come from?

Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05069000. 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 Sand Hill River At Climax 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.