North Santiam River At Mehama flow report
As of July 13, 2026, North Santiam River At Mehama is flowing at 1,210 cfs with a gage height of 3.32 ft. Source: USGS gauge #14183000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
North Santiam River At Mehama at a glance
How North Santiam River At Mehama is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
North Santiam River At Mehama is flowing at 1,210 cfs, with the water sitting 3.32 ft at the gage.
This is USGS gauge #14183000 in Oregon. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,236 cfs, peaking at 1,290 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, North Santiam River At Mehama is expected to hold near today's 1210 cfs, toward roughly 1094 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 899-1333 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 Oregon 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.
North Santiam River At Mehama
The river has several tributaries, including the Breitenbush River and the Little North Santiam River, and is regulated by several dams, including the Detroit Dam and the Big Cliff Dam. The river typically experiences seasonal trends with peak flows occurring in late spring/early summer and low flows in late summer/fall. Interesting facts about the hydrology of the North Santiam River include the presence of several fish species, including steelhead and Chinook salmon, and the river's importance as a source of drinking water for several cities and towns in the region.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check North Santiam River At Mehama's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| North Santiam River At Mehama | 1,210 cfs |
| Little North Santiam River Near Mehama | 100 cfs |
| Thomas Creek Near Scio | 27 cfs |
| Schafer Creek Near Lacomb | 0 cfs |
| North Santiam River At Niagara | 1,250 cfs |
| Bull Creek Near Wilhoit | 0 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near North Santiam River At Mehama. 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 |
|---|---|
| Little Meadows | 0 in |
| Little Meadows | 0 in |
| Foster Dam | 0 in |
| Daly Lake | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Marion Forks | — |
| Marion Forks | 1 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 North Santiam River At Mehama in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when North Santiam River At Mehama crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About North Santiam River At Mehama
Where does the streamflow data for North Santiam River At Mehama come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 14183000. 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 North Santiam River At Mehama 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 North Santiam River At Mehama report
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