Truckee River Near Sparks flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Truckee River Near Sparks is flowing at 341 cfs with a gage height of 5.37 ft, rising 8% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #10348200, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Truckee River Near Sparks at a glance
How Truckee River Near Sparks is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Truckee River Near Sparks is flowing at 341 cfs, with the water sitting 5.37 ft at the gage. Flow is up 8% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #10348200 in Nevada. Over the past 10 days the average has been 329 cfs, peaking at 362 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Truckee R Nr Sparks is expected to hold near today's 341 cfs, toward roughly 312 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 194-501 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 Nevada 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.
Truckee River Near Sparks
The river also receives water from various tributaries, including the Little Truckee River and the Middle Fork of the Feather River. The Derby Dam, located upstream, diverts some of the water for irrigation purposes. The river experiences seasonal fluctuations in flow, with high flows in the spring from snowmelt and lower flows in the summer and fall. Interesting fact: the Truckee River was made famous by Mark Twain in his book "Roughing It," and is known for its beautiful scenery and recreational opportunities.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Truckee River Near Sparks's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Truckee R Nr Sparks | 341 cfs |
| Steamboat C At Cleanwater Way Nr Reno | 28 cfs |
| N Truckee Drain At Kleppe Ln Nr Sparks | 108 cfs |
| Truckee R At Vista | 315 cfs |
| Truckee R At Reno | 378 cfs |
| Steamboat Ck At Short Ln At Reno | 3 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Truckee River Near Sparks. 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 |
|---|---|
| Nohrsc Reno 1.4 Nne | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Reno 2.4 Ssw | 0 in |
| Big Meadow | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Big Meadow | — |
| Mt Rose Ski Area | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Mt Rose Ski Area | — |
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 Truckee River Near Sparks in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Truckee River Near Sparks crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Truckee River Near Sparks
Where does the streamflow data for Truckee River Near Sparks come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 10348200. 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 Truckee River Near Sparks 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 Truckee River Near Sparks report
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