Forest River At Minto flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Forest River At Minto is flowing at 86 cfs with a gage height of 1.75 ft, receding 10% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05085000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Forest River At Minto at a glance
How Forest River At Minto is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Forest River At Minto is flowing at 86 cfs, with the water sitting 1.75 ft at the gage. Flow is down 10% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05085000 in North Dakota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 119 cfs, peaking at 141 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Forest River At Minto is expected to recede from today's 96 cfs, toward roughly 79 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 21-288 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
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.
Forest River At Minto
The flow of the river is primarily provided by snowmelt and precipitation, with potential tributaries including the Turtle River and the Park River. The river experiences seasonal trends, with high water levels in the spring due to snowmelt, followed by lower levels in the summer and fall. The region is home to several dams, including the Minto Dam, which was built in 1915 for flood control. Quirky facts include the river's popularity for canoeing and fishing, and the presence of several historic sites along its banks. Overall, the Forest River at Minto, ND provides valuable data for water resource management and recreation in the area.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Forest River At Minto's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Forest River At Minto | 86 cfs |
| Park River At Grafton | 146 cfs |
| Forest River Nr Fordville | 54 cfs |
| Red River Of The North At Drayton | 2,870 cfs |
| Turtle River At Turtle R State Park Nr Arvilla | 15 cfs |
| Middle River At Argyle | 12 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Forest River At Minto. 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 |
|---|---|
| Nohrsc Grand Forks International | 2 in |
| Grand Forks International Airport | 0 in |
| University | 0 in |
| Warren Wsd | 0 in |
| Cavalier | 0 in |
| Lake Bronson Dam | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Forest River At Minto.
Nearby reservoirs
See all →
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 Forest River At Minto in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Forest River At Minto crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Forest River At Minto
Where does the streamflow data for Forest River At Minto come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05085000. 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 Forest River At Minto 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 Forest River At Minto report
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