North Dakota River Levels & Streamflow
As of Oct 2, 2026, North Dakota rivers are running at 83% of normal across 86 USGS gauges — the highest is 13,200 cfs on the Missouri River At Bismarck. Live discharge, gauge height, and percent-of-normal for every USGS streamgauge in North Dakota.
North Dakota river map
See North Dakota’s rivers on a live map
Every gauge, river and reservoir, one tap each:
- Rivers now — which are running high or low
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North Dakota river conditions today
Where rivers are running versus normal, what’s spiking and what’s coming — refreshed daily from USGS and NOAA.
Streamflow levels across North Dakota are currently 83% of normal, with the Missouri River At Bismarck reporting the highest discharge in the state at 13,200 cfs and a gauge stage of 3.79 ft.
Meanwhile, the Sheyenne River At Lisbon is seeing a spike today — up 968% 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.
How North Dakota’s rivers compare to normal
Every gauge placed by its own percent of normal, and three years of the statewide trend.
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 79 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 flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | Gage height | Water temp | Air temp | Elevation | Watershed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Missouri River At Bismarck, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06342500 |
13,100 cfs | 3.75 ft | 58°F | 62°F | 1,623 ft | Painted Woods-Square Butte |
|
Red River Of The North At Grand Forks, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05082500 |
4,470 cfs | 17.60 ft | 62°F | 34°F | 798 ft | Sandhill-Wilson |
|
Red River Of The North At Drayton, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05092000 |
2,510 cfs | 12.81 ft | · | 32°F | 768 ft | Lower Red |
|
Red River Of The North Near Thompson, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05070000 |
1,980 cfs | 18.64 ft | · | 34°F | 804 ft | Sandhill-Wilson |
|
Red River Of The North At Halstad, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05064500 |
1,120 cfs | 5.01 ft | 61°F | 36°F | 838 ft | Elm-Marsh |
|
Sheyenne River At Lisbon, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05058700 |
934 cfs | 6.03 ft | · | 36°F | 1,068 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Sheyenne River Below Baldhill Dam, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05058000 |
632 cfs | 25.94 ft | 62°F | 36°F | 1,223 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Souris River Nr Westhope, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05124000 |
408 cfs | 7.89 ft | · | 59°F | 1,410 ft | Lower Souris |
|
Red River Of The North At Hickson, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05051522 |
392 cfs | 10.45 ft | 62°F | 33°F | 894 ft | Upper Red |
|
Red River Of The North At Fargo, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05054000 |
384 cfs | 14.22 ft | 64°F | 35°F | 878 ft | Upper Red |
|
Souris River Nr Verendrye, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05120000 |
371 cfs | 5.09 ft | · | 61°F | 1,479 ft | Lower Souris |
|
James River At Lamoure, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06470500 |
366 cfs | 8.25 ft | 62°F | 59°F | 1,303 ft | Upper James |
|
Red River Of The North At Wahpeton, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05051500 |
351 cfs | 4.27 ft | · | 32°F | 952 ft | Bois De Sioux |
|
Souris River Nr Bantry, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05122000 |
318 cfs | 5.14 ft | · | 60°F | 1,434 ft | Lower Souris |
|
Souris River Above Minot, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05117500 |
279 cfs | 5.40 ft | 50°F | 62°F | 1,564 ft | Upper Souris |
|
Souris River Nr Foxholm, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05116000 |
244 cfs | 7.31 ft | · | 61°F | 1,572 ft | Upper Souris |
|
Souris River Nr Sherwood, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05114000 |
213 cfs | 4.99 ft | 35°F | 59°F | 1,615 ft | Upper Souris |
|
Pembina River At Neche, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05100000 |
165 cfs | 2.71 ft | · | 35°F | 833 ft | Pembina |
|
Sheyenne River At West Fargo, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05059500 |
164 cfs | 5.55 ft | · | 35°F | 900 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Pembina River At Walhalla, Nd
15 hours ago · USGS 05099600 |
147 cfs | 1.70 ft | · | 42°F | 937 ft | Pembina |
|
Sheyenne R Ab Sheyenne R Diversion Nr Horace, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05059300 |
136 cfs | 12.79 ft | 59°F | 33°F | 903 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Sheyenne River Near Kindred, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05059000 |
114 cfs | 2.83 ft | · | 33°F | 931 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Sheyenne River Nr Cooperstown, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05057000 |
107 cfs | 10.17 ft | 58°F | 34°F | 1,288 ft | Middle Sheyenne |
|
James River At Jamestown, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06470000 |
80 cfs | 3.70 ft | 32°F | 57°F | 1,382 ft | Upper James |
|
Pipestem Creek Nr Pingree, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06469400 |
75 cfs | 5.66 ft | · | 57°F | 1,509 ft | Pipestem |
|
Sheyenne River Nr Warwick, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05056000 |
70 cfs | 2.93 ft | · | 36°F | 1,385 ft | Middle Sheyenne |
|
Baldhill Creek Nr Dazey, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05057200 |
59 cfs | 6.93 ft | 41°F | 36°F | 1,322 ft | Middle Sheyenne |
|
Willow Creek Nr Willow City, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05123400 |
59 cfs | 5.72 ft | · | 59°F | 1,434 ft | Willow |
|
Forest River At Minto, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05085000 |
55 cfs | 1.57 ft | · | 34°F | 812 ft | Forest |
|
Forest River Nr Fordville, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05084000 |
42 cfs | 1.73 ft | · | 35°F | 1,042 ft | Forest |
|
Little Coulee Nr Leeds, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05056340 |
40 cfs | 65.55 ft | · | 34°F | 1,488 ft | Devils Lake |
|
Long Creek Nr Noonan, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05113600 |
34 cfs | 3.57 ft | · | 62°F | 1,858 ft | Upper Souris |
|
Heart River Nr Mandan, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06349000 |
30 cfs | 8.95 ft | 43°F | 63°F | 1,649 ft | Lower Heart |
|
Knife River At Hazen, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06340500 |
28 cfs | · | · | 65°F | 1,724 ft | Knife |
|
Spring Creek At Zap, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 06340000 |
27 cfs | 5.04 ft | · | 66°F | 1,827 ft | Knife |
|
Heart River At Stark Bridge Nr Judson, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06348300 |
26 cfs | 1.89 ft | 32°F | 64°F | 1,731 ft | Lower Heart |
|
Edmore Coulee Nr Edmore, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05056200 |
25 cfs | 80.96 ft | · | 35°F | 1,486 ft | Devils Lake |
|
Park River At Grafton, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05090000 |
21 cfs | 7.30 ft | · | 36°F | 822 ft | Park |
|
Little Missouri River At Medora, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06336000 |
20 cfs | 1.24 ft | 38°F | 46°F | 2,253 ft | Middle Little Missouri |
|
Beaver Creek Bl Linton, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06354580 |
19 cfs | 4.49 ft | · | 43°F | 1,697 ft | Beaver |
|
Heart River Nr Richardton, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06345500 |
18 cfs | 4.03 ft | · | 38°F | 2,180 ft | Upper Heart |
|
Apple Creek Nr Menoken, Nd
3 days ago · USGS 06349500 |
17 cfs | 4.90 ft | · | 38°F | 1,657 ft | Apple |
|
Heart R Ab Lake Tschida Nr Glen Ullin, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06345780 |
15 cfs | 2.53 ft | · | 34°F | 2,076 ft | Upper Heart |
|
Goose River At Hillsboro, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05066500 |
14 cfs | 1.78 ft | · | 34°F | 887 ft | Goose |
|
James River Above Arrowwood Lake Nr Kensal, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06468250 |
14 cfs | 1.11 ft | · | 58°F | 1,442 ft | James Headwaters |
|
Maple R At Nd-Sd State Line, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 06471200 |
12 cfs | 2.00 ft | · | 60°F | 1,371 ft | Elm |
|
Turtle River At Turtle R State Park Nr Arvilla, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05082625 |
11 cfs | 1.12 ft | · | 35°F | 963 ft | Turtle |
|
Maple River Bl Mapleton, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05060100 |
11 cfs | 8.78 ft | · | 34°F | 896 ft | Maple |
|
Edmore Coulee Trib Nr Webster, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05056215 |
10 cfs | 67.36 ft | · | 36°F | 1,467 ft | Devils Lake |
|
Sheyenne River Diversion At West Fargo, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05059480 |
7 cfs | 7.50 ft | · | 35°F | 905 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Cannonball River At Breien, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06354000 |
7 cfs | 1.69 ft | · | 34°F | 1,687 ft | Lower Cannonball |
|
Little Missouri River At Marmarth, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06335500 |
6 cfs | · | · | 73°F | 2,691 ft | Middle Little Missouri |
|
Maple River Nr Enderlin, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05059700 |
6 cfs | 1.73 ft | · | 34°F | 1,061 ft | Maple |
|
Starkweather Coulee Nr Webster, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05056239 |
6 cfs | 2.39 ft | · | 35°F | 1,454 ft | Devils Lake |
|
Knife River Nr Golden Valley, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 06339500 |
5 cfs | 3.90 ft | · | 67°F | 1,854 ft | Knife |
|
Knife River At Manning, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06339100 |
5 cfs | 6.57 ft | · | 68°F | 2,168 ft | Knife |
|
Little Muddy River Bl Cow Creek Nr Williston, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 06331000 |
4 cfs | 4.60 ft | 52°F | 67°F | 1,874 ft | Little Muddy |
|
Little Missouri River Nr Watford City, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 06337000 |
4 cfs | 6.82 ft | · | 70°F | 1,934 ft | Lower Little Missouri |
|
Wild Rice River Nr Abercrombie, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05053000 |
4 cfs | 9.92 ft | · | 34°F | 923 ft | Western Wild Rice |
|
White Earth River At White Earth, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 06332000 |
4 cfs | · | · | 62°F | 2,078 ft | Lake Sakakawea |
|
James River Nr Grace City, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06468170 |
4 cfs | 4.20 ft | · | 58°F | 1,464 ft | James Headwaters |
|
Big Muddy Creek Near Almont, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06347500 |
3 cfs | 1.26 ft | · | 31°F | 1,867 ft | Lower Heart |
|
Cannonball River At Regent, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06350000 |
3 cfs | 4.63 ft | · | 45°F | 2,436 ft | Upper Cannonball |
|
Cannonball River Nr Raleigh, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 06351200 |
3 cfs | 1.78 ft | · | 37°F | 1,863 ft | Upper Cannonball |
|
Little South Pembina River Nr Walhalla, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05099400 |
3 cfs | · | · | 37°F | 1,105 ft | Pembina |
|
Cedar Creek Nr Haynes, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06352000 |
2 cfs | 4.06 ft | · | 50°F | 2,480 ft | Cedar |
|
Hay Creek At Main Avenue In Bismarck, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06349600 |
2 cfs | 5.41 ft | · | 61°F | 1,657 ft | Apple |
|
Mauvais Coulee Nr Cando, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05056100 |
1 cfs | 35.24 ft | · | 31°F | 1,452 ft | Devils Lake |
|
Square Butte Creek Below Center, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 06342260 |
1 cfs | 1.06 ft | · | 63°F | 1,865 ft | Painted Woods-Square Butte |
|
Heart River Nr South Heart, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06343000 |
1 cfs | 2.84 ft | · | 42°F | 2,452 ft | Upper Heart |
|
Cedar Creek Nr Raleigh, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06353000 |
1 cfs | · | · | 38°F | 1,884 ft | Cedar |
|
Bear Creek Nr Oakes, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 06470800 |
0 cfs | 5.47 ft | · | 60°F | 1,298 ft | Upper James |
|
Antelope Creek Nr Carson, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06347000 |
0 cfs | 4.44 ft | · | 34°F | 1,970 ft | Lower Heart |
|
Mauvais Coulee Trib No. 3 Nr Cando, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05056060 |
0 cfs | 2.27 ft | · | 31°F | 1,466 ft | Devils Lake |
|
Goose River Near Portland, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 05065500 |
0 cfs | 9.24 ft | · | 33°F | 987 ft | Goose |
|
Bear Den Creek Nr Mandaree, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 06332515 |
0 cfs | 6.21 ft | · | 66°F | 1,954 ft | Lake Sakakawea |
|
Deep River Nr Upham, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05123510 |
0 cfs | 6.18 ft | · | 61°F | 1,439 ft | Deep |
|
Tongue River At Akra, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05101000 |
0 cfs | 6.32 ft | · | 35°F | 974 ft | Pembina |
|
Beaver Creek Nr Trotters, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 06336600 |
0 cfs | 1.25 ft | · | 72°F | 2,383 ft | Beaver |
|
Wild Rice River Nr Rutland, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05051600 |
0 cfs | · | · | 36°F | 1,203 ft | Western Wild Rice |
|
Antelope Creek At Dwight, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05052500 |
0 cfs | 21.02 ft | · | 33°F | 930 ft | Western Wild Rice |
|
Rush River At Amenia, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05060500 |
0 cfs | 9.32 ft | · | 34°F | 948 ft | Lower Sheyenne |
|
Deepwater Creek At Mouth Nr Raub, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 06332770 |
0 cfs | 5.55 ft | · | 65°F | 1,859 ft | Lake Sakakawea |
|
Deep Creek Nr Amidon, Nd
5 hours ago · USGS 06335750 |
0 cfs | 11.30 ft | · | 72°F | 2,469 ft | Middle Little Missouri |
|
Green River Nr New Hradec, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 06344600 |
0 cfs | 4.90 ft | · | 44°F | 2,527 ft | Upper Heart |
|
Maple River Nr Hope, Nd
4 hours ago · USGS 05059600 |
0 cfs | 1.80 ft | · | 36°F | 1,301 ft | Maple |
About North Dakota streamflow
What are river levels like in North Dakota right now?
As of October 2, 2026, North Dakota rivers are running at 83% of normal across 86 USGS streamgauges, and the Missouri River At Bismarck is reporting the highest discharge at 13,200 cfs. The full sortable gauge table is below.
Which North Dakota river is running highest right now?
As of October 2, 2026, the highest discharge in North Dakota is 13,200 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.