Red River Of The North At Drayton flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Red River Of The North At Drayton is flowing at 2,900 cfs with a gage height of 13.10 ft, rising 9% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05092000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Red River Of The North At Drayton at a glance
How Red River Of The North At Drayton is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Red River Of The North At Drayton is flowing at 2,900 cfs, with the water sitting 13.10 ft at the gage. Flow is up 9% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #05092000 in North Dakota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 3,375 cfs, peaking at 3,820 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Red River Of The North At Drayton is expected to hold near today's 2900 cfs, toward roughly 2862 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 1239-6610 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 Drayton
The river is known for its flooding, which is exacerbated by several tributaries, including the Wild Rice River and Sheyenne River. The river is also affected by the Baldhill Dam, which helps regulate water levels. Seasonally, the river experiences its highest flow rates in the spring due to snowmelt, and its lowest flow rates in the fall and winter. Interestingly, the Red River of the North is one of the few rivers in the world that flows northward, and is known for its unique red color caused by clay and silt in the water.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Red River Of The North At Drayton's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Red River Of The North At Drayton | 2,900 cfs |
| Park River At Grafton | 159 cfs |
| Middle River At Argyle | 15 cfs |
| Forest River At Minto | 96 cfs |
| South Branch Two Rivers At Lake Bronson | 27 cfs |
| Tongue River At Akra | 74 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Red River Of The North At Drayton. 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 |
|---|---|
| Lake Bronson Dam | 0 in |
| Site 1-3mi.N | 0 in |
| Warren Wsd | 0 in |
| Cavalier | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Grand Forks International | 2 in |
| Grand Forks International Airport | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Red River Of The North At Drayton.
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 Drayton 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 Drayton crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Red River Of The North At Drayton
Where does the streamflow data for Red River Of The North At Drayton come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05092000. 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 Drayton 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 Drayton report
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