Poteau River Near Panama flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Poteau River Near Panama is flowing at 751 cfs with a gage height of 8.82 ft, rising 297% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #07249413, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Poteau River Near Panama at a glance
How Poteau River Near Panama is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Poteau River Near Panama is flowing at 751 cfs, with the water sitting 8.82 ft at the gage. Flow is up 297% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #07249413 in Oklahoma. Over the past 10 days the average has been 686 cfs, peaking at 939 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Poteau River Near Panama is expected to recede from today's 751 cfs, toward roughly 452 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 51-4038 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 Oklahoma 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.
Poteau River Near Panama
The river receives water from its tributaries such as the Cedar Creek and Fourche Maline Creek. There are no major dams on the river. The river experiences seasonal trends with high flows during the spring and early summer due to snowmelt and rainfall. The low flows occur during the late summer and early fall. The river is known to flood during high flow events. Interestingly, the Poteau River is home to a diverse fauna that includes endangered species such as the Neosho Mucket and Ouachita Madtom.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Poteau River Near Panama's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Poteau River Near Panama | 751 cfs |
| James Fork Near Hackett | 89 cfs |
| Arkansas River At Ft. Smith | 70,500 cfs |
| Poteau River At Loving | 262 cfs |
| Poteau River At Cauthron | 66 cfs |
| Lee Creek Near Short | 240 cfs |
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 Poteau River Near Panama in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Poteau River Near Panama crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Poteau River Near Panama
Where does the streamflow data for Poteau River Near Panama come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 07249413. 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 Poteau River Near Panama 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 Poteau River Near Panama report
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