Owyhee River Near Mountain City flow report
As of July 15, 2026, Owyhee River Near Mountain City is flowing at 80 cfs with a gage height of 4.44 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #13175100, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Owyhee River Near Mountain City at a glance
How Owyhee River Near Mountain City is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Owyhee River Near Mountain City is flowing at 80 cfs, with the water sitting 4.44 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #13175100 in Nevada. Over the past 10 days the average has been 79 cfs, peaking at 83 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Nevada flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Owyhee R Nr Mountain City is expected to hold near today's 77 cfs, toward roughly 70 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 33-149 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
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.
Owyhee River Near Mountain City
The river is primarily fed by snowmelt and precipitation from the surrounding mountains. The primary tributaries include the Jarbidge, Bruneau, and Salmon Rivers. There are no major dams on the river, but there are several small diversion structures that are used for irrigation. The flow of the river is highly seasonal, with peak flows occurring in the spring and early summer due to snowmelt. During the summer and fall, flows can be very low, and in some years the river may even dry up completely. Interesting facts about the Owyhee River include that it flows through some of the most remote and rugged terrain in the western United States and is home to many rare and endangered species of plants and animals.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Owyhee River Near Mountain City's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Owyhee R Nr Mountain City | 80 cfs |
| Owyhee R Nr Gold Creek | 82 cfs |
| Bruneau River At Rowland Nv | 3 cfs |
| Jarbidge River Below Jarbidge | 6 cfs |
| Marys River Below Orange Bridge Nr Charleston Nv | 8 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Owyhee River Near Mountain 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 |
|---|---|
| Laurel Draw | 0 in |
| Fawn Creek | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Laurel Draw | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Fawn Creek | 0 in |
| 15h20 - Merritt Mtn - Aerial Marker | 0 in |
| Merritt Mountain | 0 in |
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 Owyhee River Near Mountain City in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Owyhee River Near Mountain City crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Owyhee River Near Mountain City
Where does the streamflow data for Owyhee River Near Mountain City come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 13175100. 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 Owyhee River Near Mountain 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 Owyhee River Near Mountain City report
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