Black River At Watertown Flow Report
As of July 21, 2026, Black River At Watertown is flowing at 1,110 cfs with a gage height of 2.64 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #04260500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Black River At Watertown at a glance
How Black River At Watertown is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Black River At Watertown is flowing at 1,110 cfs, with the water sitting 2.64 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #04260500 in New York. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,092 cfs, peaking at 1,270 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the New York flow report.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #04260500).
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, Black River At Watertown Ny is expected to hold near today's 1110 cfs, toward roughly 1016 cfs by 2026-07-25 (likely range 567-1821 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.
Black River At Watertown
The river has no significant tributaries or dams in the immediate vicinity. Seasonally, the river experiences high flows during the spring months due to snowmelt and rain, while lower flows occur in the summer and fall months. Interestingly, the Black River was once used for logging and became a major transportation route for timber in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the river is popular for recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Black River At Watertown's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Black River At Watertown Ny | 1,110 cfs |
| Sandy Creek Near Adams Ny | 45 cfs |
| Beaver River At Croghan Ny | 412 cfs |
| Salmon River At Pineville Ny | 490 cfs |
| West Branch Oswegatchie R Nr Harrisville Ny | 102 cfs |
| Independence River At Donnattsburg Ny | 20 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Black River At Watertown. 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 |
|---|---|
| Watertown 0.9 Ssw | 0 in |
| Fort Drum Coop | 0 in |
| Hooker 12 Nnw | 0 in |
| West Carthage 0.3 Ene | 0 in |
| Copenhagen Snow | 0 in |
| Sears Pond Snow | 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 Black River At Watertown in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Black River At Watertown crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Black River At Watertown
Where does the streamflow data for Black River At Watertown come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 04260500. 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 Black River At Watertown 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 Black River At Watertown report
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