Red River Of The North At Hickson flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Red River Of The North At Hickson is flowing at 777 cfs with a gage height of 11.36 ft, receding 16% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05051522, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Red River Of The North At Hickson at a glance
How Red River Of The North At Hickson is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Red River Of The North At Hickson is flowing at 777 cfs, with the water sitting 11.36 ft at the gage. Flow is down 16% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05051522 in North Dakota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 801 cfs, peaking at 1,020 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Red River Of The North At Hickson is expected to hold near today's 925 cfs, toward roughly 877 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 370-2079 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 North Dakota 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.
Red River Of The North At Hickson
There are no major tributaries or dams in the immediate vicinity of the streamgauge. Flow in the river is typically highest during the spring and early summer months, due to increased snowmelt and runoff. Interestingly, the Red River is known for its tendency to flood, despite having a relatively low gradient. This is due to the river's slow movement and the flat terrain surrounding it. Overall, the hydrology of the Red River at Hickson is influenced by natural factors such as weather patterns and topography.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Red River Of The North At Hickson's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Red River Of The North At Hickson | 777 cfs |
| Sheyenne R Ab Sheyenne R Diversion Nr Horace | 276 cfs |
| Sheyenne River Near Kindred | 312 cfs |
| South Branch Buffalo River At Sabin | 45 cfs |
| Wild Rice River Nr Abercrombie | 43 cfs |
| Red River Of The North At Fargo | 915 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Red River Of The North At Hickson. 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 |
|---|---|
| Sabin | 0 in |
| Fargo 3s | 0 in |
| Hector International Arpt | 0 in |
| Breckenridge 4ne | 0 in |
| Fergus Falls 4.9 E | 0 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 Red River Of The North At Hickson in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Red River Of The North At Hickson crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Red River Of The North At Hickson
Where does the streamflow data for Red River Of The North At Hickson come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05051522. 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 Red River Of The North At Hickson 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 Red River Of The North At Hickson report
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