Willow Creek Near Willow City flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Willow Creek Near Willow City is flowing at 87 cfs with a gage height of 5.88 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05123400, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Willow Creek Near Willow City at a glance
How Willow Creek Near Willow City is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Willow Creek Near Willow City is flowing at 87 cfs, with the water sitting 5.88 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05123400 in North Dakota. Over the past 10 days the average has been 88 cfs, peaking at 97 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Willow Creek Nr Willow City is expected to recede from today's 85 cfs, toward roughly 52 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 2-1637 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.
Willow Creek Near Willow City
Flow data is collected by the US Geological Survey and is used to inform water management decisions. Willow Creek is fed by snowmelt and precipitation during the spring and summer months, with flows decreasing in the fall and winter. There are no major tributaries or dams on the creek, but there are several smaller tributaries that contribute to its flow. A quirky fact about the hydrology of the area is that the creek sometimes freezes over in the winter, creating unique ice formations. Overall, the Willow Creek streamgauge is important for understanding the water resources in this area of North Dakota.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Willow Creek Near Willow City's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Willow Creek Nr Willow City | 87 cfs |
| Souris River Nr Bantry | 397 cfs |
| Deep River Nr Upham | 8 cfs |
| Wintering River Nr Karlsruhe | 21 cfs |
| Souris River Nr Verendrye | 217 cfs |
| Souris River Nr Westhope | 927 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Willow Creek Near Willow City. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bottineau 6.4 Ene | 0 in |
| Lake Metigoshe State Park | 0 in |
| Keya Radio Stn | 0 in |
| Lansford | 0 in |
| Minot Afb | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Willow Creek Near Willow City.
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 Willow Creek Near Willow City in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Willow Creek Near Willow City crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Willow Creek Near Willow City
Where does the streamflow data for Willow Creek Near Willow City come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05123400. 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 Willow Creek Near Willow City 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 Willow Creek Near Willow City report
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