Big Creek At Cleveland flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Big Creek At Cleveland is flowing at 3 cfs with a gage height of 2.05 ft, receding 14% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #04208502, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Big Creek At Cleveland at a glance
How Big Creek At Cleveland is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Big Creek At Cleveland is flowing at 3 cfs, with the water sitting 2.05 ft at the gage. Flow is down 14% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #04208502 in Ohio. Over the past 10 days the average has been 21 cfs, peaking at 134 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Big Creek At Cleveland Oh is expected to rise from today's 3 cfs, toward roughly 3 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 1-16 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Ohio 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.
Big Creek At Cleveland
The creek is primarily fed by stormwater runoff, but can also receive water from some tributaries. There are no major dams on the creek. Seasonal trends show that flow is highest in the spring due to snowmelt and precipitation, and lowest in the summer and fall. Interestingly, the creek was once heavily polluted, but has since undergone significant restoration efforts to improve water quality and habitat. Overall, monitoring the flow of the Big Creek is important for understanding the health of the ecosystem and the potential impacts of human activity.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Big Creek At Cleveland's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Big Creek At Cleveland Oh | 3 cfs |
| Cuyahoga River At Ltv Steel Cleveland Oh | 1,150 cfs |
| Mill Creek At Garfield Hts Oh | 7 cfs |
| Mill Creek At Garfield Pkwy At Garfield Heights Oh | 4 cfs |
| Cuyahoga River At Independence Oh | 765 cfs |
| Doan Brook At Mlk Jr Dr At Cleveland Oh | 2 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Big Creek At Cleveland. 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 |
|---|---|
| Parma 1.9 Nnw | 0 in |
| 2 Nnw Parma Cocorahs (Oh-Cy-24) | 0 in |
| 1 Nne Cleveland-Kamms Corner Snow Spotter (X4150818) | 3 in |
| Lakewood 1.3 Ssw | 0 in |
| 1 Ssw Lakewood Cocorahs (Oh-Cy-41) | 1 in |
| Cleveland | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Big Creek At Cleveland.
Boat launches
See all →
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 Big Creek At Cleveland in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Big Creek At Cleveland crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Big Creek At Cleveland
Where does the streamflow data for Big Creek At Cleveland come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 04208502. 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 Big Creek At Cleveland 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 Big Creek At Cleveland report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
- Flow alerts — get pinged the moment this river hits your range
- Save favorites — every river, lake & snowpack in one place
- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app