Platte River Near Leshara flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Platte River Near Leshara is flowing at 2,540 cfs with a gage height of 3.95 ft, receding 32% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06796500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Platte River Near Leshara at a glance
How Platte River Near Leshara is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Platte River Near Leshara is flowing at 2,540 cfs, with the water sitting 3.95 ft at the gage. Flow is down 32% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #06796500 in Nebraska. Over the past 10 days the average has been 4,121 cfs, peaking at 5,260 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Platte River Nr Leshara is expected to recede from today's 3780 cfs, toward roughly 3245 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 1114-9456 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 Nebraska 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.
Platte River Near Leshara
The Platte River is fed by several tributaries, including the Loup River and the North Platte River. The river flows through several dams, including the Grayrocks Dam and the Kingsley Dam. The river's flow is mainly influenced by seasonal trends, with higher flows in the spring due to snowmelt and lower flows in the summer and fall. Interestingly, the Platte River is a critical habitat for migrating sandhill cranes and whooping cranes, making it an important ecological resource.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Platte River Near Leshara's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Platte River Nr Leshara | 2,540 cfs |
| Elkhorn River At Waterloo | 814 cfs |
| Wahoo Creek At Ithaca | 40 cfs |
| Big Papillion Cr | 34 cfs |
| Maple Creek Near Nickerson | 35 cfs |
| Platte R Nr Ashland | 2,800 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Platte River Near Leshara. 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 |
|---|---|
| Fremont | 0 in |
| Bennington | 0 in |
| Ft Calhoun 4w | 0 in |
| Council Bluffs 2.1 Sse | 0 in |
| Plattsmouth 1.4 Sw | 1 in |
| Columbus | 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 Platte River Near Leshara in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Platte River Near Leshara crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Platte River Near Leshara
Where does the streamflow data for Platte River Near Leshara come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06796500. 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 Platte River Near Leshara 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 Platte River Near Leshara report
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