North Dakota River Levels & Streamflow
As of Sep 12, 2026, North Dakota rivers are running at 74% of normal across 86 USGS gauges — the highest is 17,900 cfs on the Missouri River At Bismarck. Live discharge, gauge height, and percent-of-normal for every USGS streamgauge in North Dakota.
Streamflow levels across North Dakota are currently 74% of normal, with the Missouri River At Bismarck reporting the highest discharge in the state at 17,900 cfs and a gauge stage of 5.08 ft.
Meanwhile, the Red River Of The North At Wahpeton is seeing a spike today — up 116% since yesterday and currently running near peak.
Tap any gauge below for the full hydrograph, paired weather forecast, and historical context. Use the rivers panel to jump into North Dakota's named rivers.
State-wide streamflow overview
The North Dakota flow picture in four data points -- where the state sits versus historical norms, what's flowing hardest, and what's spiking fastest.
Percent of normal
100% is the historical norm. Below 70% indicates drought; above 130% can flag elevated flood risk.
Highest discharge
Gauge stage 5.08 ft
Biggest 24h spike
Now 303 cfs
Network coverage
USGS gauges feeding 0 named rivers in North Dakota.
Where every gauge actually sits
One dot per North Dakota streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The state average is a single line through all of it.
Percent of normal compares today's discharge with the historical average for this calendar day. Tap any dot to open that gauge.
North Dakota streamflow, three water years
Statewide percent of normal, every day since Sep 2023. The dotted line is normal.
799 daily readings from 75 reporting gauges. Percent of normal is today's statewide discharge against the historical average for the same calendar day — 100% is normal, not "good". The line breaks in 2 places where the record skips more than five days — those are gaps in reporting, not readings of zero.
North Dakota USGS streamgauges
Every USGS gauge Snoflo tracks in North Dakota. Sortable, quickly filterable. Numeric columns heat-mapped from light to deep. Tap any gauge for its full hydrograph and forecast.
| Streamgage | Streamflow | Gage height | Water temp | Air temp | Elevation | Watershed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Missouri River At Bismarck, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06342500 |
18,100 cfs | 5.14 ft | 64°F | 57°F | 1,623 ft | Painted Woods-Square Butte |
|
Red River Of The North At Grand Forks, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05082500 |
1,340 cfs | 15.83 ft | 72°F | 59°F | 798 ft | Sandhill-Wilson |
|
Red River Of The North At Drayton, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05092000 |
1,280 cfs | 11.88 ft | · | 54°F | 768 ft | Lower Red |
|
Red River Of The North Near Thompson, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05070000 |
680 cfs | 16.15 ft | · | 60°F | 804 ft | Sandhill-Wilson |
|
Souris River Nr Westhope, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05124000 |
324 cfs | 7.66 ft | · | 53°F | 1,410 ft | Lower Souris |
|
Red River Of The North At Halstad, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05064500 |
310 cfs | 2.58 ft | 71°F | 64°F | 838 ft | Elm-Marsh |
|
Red River Of The North At Wahpeton, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05051500 |
301 cfs | 4.04 ft | · | 65°F | 952 ft | Bois De Sioux |
|
Souris River Nr Sherwood, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05114000 |
235 cfs | 5.35 ft | 35°F | 52°F | 1,615 ft | Upper Souris |
|
Pembina River At Neche, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05100000 |
218 cfs | 3.09 ft | · | 58°F | 833 ft | Pembina |
|
Pembina River At Walhalla, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05099600 |
206 cfs | 1.94 ft | · | 66°F | 937 ft | Pembina |
|
Sheyenne River Near Kindred, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05059000 |
198 cfs | 3.35 ft | · | 64°F | 931 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Souris River Above Minot, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05117500 |
189 cfs | 4.95 ft | 50°F | 57°F | 1,564 ft | Upper Souris |
|
Sheyenne R Ab Sheyenne R Diversion Nr Horace, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05059300 |
186 cfs | 13.40 ft | 71°F | 64°F | 903 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Sheyenne River At West Fargo, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05059500 |
179 cfs | 5.70 ft | · | 64°F | 900 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Sheyenne River At Lisbon, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05058700 |
170 cfs | 3.10 ft | · | 70°F | 1,068 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Willow Creek Nr Willow City, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05123400 |
162 cfs | 7.44 ft | · | 55°F | 1,434 ft | Willow |
|
Souris River Nr Foxholm, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05116000 |
161 cfs | 7.88 ft | · | 57°F | 1,572 ft | Upper Souris |
|
Red River Of The North At Hickson, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05051522 |
156 cfs | 9.68 ft | 72°F | 64°F | 894 ft | Upper Red |
|
Souris River Nr Bantry, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05122000 |
137 cfs | 3.34 ft | · | 55°F | 1,434 ft | Lower Souris |
|
Red River Of The North At Fargo, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05054000 |
120 cfs | 13.67 ft | 74°F | 65°F | 878 ft | Upper Red |
|
Souris River Nr Verendrye, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05120000 |
117 cfs | 4.21 ft | · | 53°F | 1,479 ft | Lower Souris |
|
Edmore Coulee Nr Edmore, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05056200 |
106 cfs | 83.39 ft | · | 53°F | 1,486 ft | Devils Lake |
|
Sheyenne River Below Baldhill Dam, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05058000 |
98 cfs | 24.10 ft | 71°F | 66°F | 1,223 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Sheyenne River Nr Cooperstown, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05057000 |
85 cfs | 10.06 ft | 68°F | 59°F | 1,288 ft | Middle Sheyenne |
|
James River At Lamoure, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06470500 |
69 cfs | 7.31 ft | 62°F | 63°F | 1,303 ft | Upper James |
|
Little Coulee Nr Leeds, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05056340 |
60 cfs | 65.45 ft | · | 56°F | 1,488 ft | Devils Lake |
|
Forest River At Minto, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05085000 |
59 cfs | 1.59 ft | · | 54°F | 812 ft | Forest |
|
Tongue River At Akra, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05101000 |
57 cfs | 7.93 ft | · | 63°F | 974 ft | Pembina |
|
Forest River Nr Fordville, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05084000 |
45 cfs | 1.63 ft | · | 61°F | 1,042 ft | Forest |
|
Starkweather Coulee Nr Webster, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05056239 |
30 cfs | 3.40 ft | · | 52°F | 1,454 ft | Devils Lake |
|
Pipestem Creek Nr Pingree, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06469400 |
25 cfs | 5.34 ft | · | 58°F | 1,509 ft | Pipestem |
|
Sheyenne River Nr Warwick, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05056000 |
25 cfs | 2.30 ft | · | 55°F | 1,385 ft | Middle Sheyenne |
|
Park River At Grafton, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05090000 |
24 cfs | 7.32 ft | · | 52°F | 822 ft | Park |
|
Knife River At Hazen, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06340500 |
21 cfs | · | · | 49°F | 1,724 ft | Knife |
|
Edmore Coulee Trib Nr Webster, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05056215 |
19 cfs | 68.58 ft | · | 53°F | 1,467 ft | Devils Lake |
|
Heart River Nr Mandan, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06349000 |
16 cfs | 8.79 ft | 43°F | 57°F | 1,649 ft | Lower Heart |
|
Heart River At Stark Bridge Nr Judson, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06348300 |
15 cfs | 1.77 ft | 32°F | 56°F | 1,731 ft | Lower Heart |
|
James River At Jamestown, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06470000 |
11 cfs | 2.97 ft | 32°F | 60°F | 1,382 ft | Upper James |
|
Maple R At Nd-Sd State Line, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06471200 |
10 cfs | 1.91 ft | · | 61°F | 1,371 ft | Elm |
|
Turtle River At Turtle R State Park Nr Arvilla, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05082625 |
10 cfs | 1.08 ft | · | 58°F | 963 ft | Turtle |
|
Apple Creek Nr Menoken, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06349500 |
9 cfs | 4.61 ft | · | 56°F | 1,657 ft | Apple |
|
Little Missouri River Nr Watford City, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06337000 |
9 cfs | 6.92 ft | · | 55°F | 1,934 ft | Lower Little Missouri |
|
Cannonball River At Breien, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06354000 |
8 cfs | 1.72 ft | · | 58°F | 1,687 ft | Lower Cannonball |
|
Long Creek Nr Noonan, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05113600 |
7 cfs | 2.95 ft | · | 53°F | 1,858 ft | Upper Souris |
|
Heart River Nr Richardton, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06345500 |
6 cfs | 3.65 ft | · | 50°F | 2,180 ft | Upper Heart |
|
Heart R Ab Lake Tschida Nr Glen Ullin, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06345780 |
6 cfs | 2.25 ft | · | 49°F | 2,076 ft | Upper Heart |
|
Little Muddy River Bl Cow Creek Nr Williston, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06331000 |
5 cfs | 4.63 ft | 52°F | 53°F | 1,874 ft | Little Muddy |
|
Spring Creek At Zap, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06340000 |
5 cfs | 4.63 ft | · | 51°F | 1,827 ft | Knife |
|
Goose River At Hillsboro, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05066500 |
4 cfs | 1.65 ft | · | 63°F | 887 ft | Goose |
|
Beaver Creek Bl Linton, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06354580 |
3 cfs | 4.19 ft | · | 61°F | 1,697 ft | Beaver |
|
Maple River Nr Enderlin, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05059700 |
3 cfs | 1.65 ft | · | 69°F | 1,061 ft | Maple |
|
White Earth River At White Earth, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06332000 |
3 cfs | · | · | 55°F | 2,078 ft | Lake Sakakawea |
|
Baldhill Creek Nr Dazey, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05057200 |
3 cfs | 6.11 ft | 41°F | 60°F | 1,322 ft | Middle Sheyenne |
|
James River Above Arrowwood Lake Nr Kensal, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06468250 |
3 cfs | · | · | 58°F | 1,442 ft | James Headwaters |
|
Little Missouri River At Medora, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06336000 |
3 cfs | · | 38°F | 54°F | 2,253 ft | Middle Little Missouri |
|
Little South Pembina River Nr Walhalla, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05099400 |
3 cfs | · | · | 60°F | 1,105 ft | Pembina |
|
Knife River Nr Golden Valley, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06339500 |
2 cfs | 3.72 ft | · | 49°F | 1,854 ft | Knife |
|
Big Muddy Creek Near Almont, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06347500 |
2 cfs | 1.21 ft | · | 51°F | 1,867 ft | Lower Heart |
|
Sweetbriar Creek Nr Judson, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06348500 |
2 cfs | 1.95 ft | · | 54°F | 1,903 ft | Lower Heart |
|
Maple River Bl Mapleton, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05060100 |
2 cfs | 7.76 ft | · | 62°F | 896 ft | Maple |
|
Cannonball River At Regent, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06350000 |
2 cfs | 4.50 ft | · | 53°F | 2,436 ft | Upper Cannonball |
|
Mauvais Coulee Nr Cando, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05056100 |
2 cfs | 35.28 ft | · | 53°F | 1,452 ft | Devils Lake |
|
Little Missouri River At Marmarth, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06335500 |
1 cfs | · | · | 57°F | 2,691 ft | Middle Little Missouri |
|
Mauvais Coulee Trib No. 3 Nr Cando, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05056060 |
1 cfs | 2.55 ft | · | 51°F | 1,466 ft | Devils Lake |
|
Hay Creek At Main Avenue In Bismarck, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06349600 |
1 cfs | 5.28 ft | · | 57°F | 1,657 ft | Apple |
|
James River Nr Grace City, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06468170 |
1 cfs | 4.01 ft | · | 59°F | 1,464 ft | James Headwaters |
|
Square Butte Creek Below Center, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06342260 |
1 cfs | 1.05 ft | · | 54°F | 1,865 ft | Painted Woods-Square Butte |
|
Cannonball River Nr Raleigh, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06351200 |
1 cfs | 1.59 ft | · | 55°F | 1,863 ft | Upper Cannonball |
|
Cedar Creek Nr Haynes, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06352000 |
0 cfs | 3.90 ft | · | 52°F | 2,480 ft | Cedar |
|
Wild Rice River Nr Abercrombie, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05053000 |
0 cfs | 9.63 ft | · | 64°F | 923 ft | Western Wild Rice |
|
Cedar Creek Nr Raleigh, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06353000 |
0 cfs | · | · | 56°F | 1,884 ft | Cedar |
|
Deep River Nr Upham, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05123510 |
0 cfs | 6.26 ft | · | 58°F | 1,439 ft | Deep |
|
Antelope Creek Nr Carson, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06347000 |
0 cfs | 4.35 ft | · | 51°F | 1,970 ft | Lower Heart |
|
Knife River At Manning, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06339100 |
0 cfs | 5.69 ft | · | 53°F | 2,168 ft | Knife |
|
Bear Creek Nr Oakes, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06470800 |
0 cfs | 5.26 ft | · | 63°F | 1,298 ft | Upper James |
|
Wild Rice River Nr Rutland, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05051600 |
0 cfs | · | · | 71°F | 1,203 ft | Western Wild Rice |
|
Antelope Creek At Dwight, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05052500 |
0 cfs | 21.01 ft | · | 64°F | 930 ft | Western Wild Rice |
|
Goose River Near Portland, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05065500 |
0 cfs | 9.14 ft | · | 57°F | 987 ft | Goose |
|
Sheyenne River Diversion At West Fargo, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05059480 |
0 cfs | 6.04 ft | · | 64°F | 905 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Rush River At Amenia, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 05060500 |
0 cfs | 10.00 ft | · | 63°F | 948 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Deepwater Creek At Mouth Nr Raub, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06332770 |
0 cfs | 5.58 ft | · | 53°F | 1,859 ft | Lake Sakakawea |
|
Deep Creek Nr Amidon, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06335750 |
0 cfs | 11.25 ft | · | 54°F | 2,469 ft | Middle Little Missouri |
|
Beaver Creek Nr Trotters, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06336600 |
0 cfs | 1.17 ft | · | 55°F | 2,383 ft | Beaver |
|
Heart River Nr South Heart, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06343000 |
0 cfs | 2.68 ft | · | 55°F | 2,452 ft | Upper Heart |
|
Green River Nr New Hradec, Nd
1 day ago · USGS 06344600 |
0 cfs | 5.10 ft | · | 55°F | 2,527 ft | Upper Heart |
|
Maple River Nr Hope, Nd
3 days ago · USGS 05059600 |
0 cfs | 1.02 ft | · | 60°F | 1,301 ft | Maple |
See every North Dakota gauge ranked against normal.
- Percentile rank & % of median for all 86 gauges
- 15-day PULSE forecast on every gauge
- Custom flow alerts & full daily history
About North Dakota streamflow
What are river levels like in North Dakota right now?
As of September 12, 2026, North Dakota rivers are running at 74% of normal across 86 USGS streamgauges, and the Missouri River At Bismarck is reporting the highest discharge at 17,900 cfs. The full sortable gauge table is below.
Which North Dakota river is running highest right now?
As of September 12, 2026, the highest discharge in North Dakota is 17,900 cfs on the Missouri River At Bismarck. See the sortable gauge table for the full statewide ranking.
Are North Dakota rivers high or low right now?
Compare the statewide percent-of-normal on this page: above 100% means North Dakota rivers are running higher than the seasonal average for the date, below 100% means lower (a dry spell or drought). Each gauge also shows its own percent of median.
Where does the North Dakota streamflow data come from?
The U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System. USGS streamgauges report continuously (every 15 minutes) and the data is the canonical real-time record for U.S. rivers. Snoflo pulls the latest readings and joins them to a 7-day NOAA weather forecast for each station.
What is cfs?
Cubic feet per second — the standard unit for streamflow. One cfs is about 7.5 gallons per second. Small creeks run at single-digit cfs; the Mississippi at hundreds of thousands.
What does Gauge Height mean?
The water level at the gauge in feet above the reference datum. Used together with discharge to track river state. Flood stage and runnable levels are typically expressed in gauge height (e.g., "flood at 16 ft").
How fresh is the North Dakota data?
USGS streamgauges report every 15 minutes; Snoflo re-pulls throughout the day. The AI briefing regenerates daily.
Can I get a flow alert for a North Dakota gauge?
Yes. Save any USGS gauge as a favorite in the Snoflo iOS app, set a discharge or stage threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 2,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Is this a substitute for an NWS flood warning?
No. Snoflo is informational. For flood life-safety decisions always follow guidance from your local NWS forecast office and state emergency management. Snoflo data is one input among several.
Streamflow in every state
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