Lackawanna River At Old Forge flow report
As of July 14, 2026, Lackawanna River At Old Forge is flowing at 130 cfs with a gage height of 2.37 ft, rising 25% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #01536000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Lackawanna River At Old Forge at a glance
How Lackawanna River At Old Forge is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Lackawanna River At Old Forge is flowing at 130 cfs, with the water sitting 2.37 ft at the gage. Flow is up 25% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #01536000 in Pennsylvania. Over the past 10 days the average has been 221 cfs, peaking at 496 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Pennsylvania flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Lackawanna River At Old Forge is expected to hold near today's 104 cfs, toward roughly 96 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 42-223 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
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.
Lackawanna River At Old Forge
The river's flow is influenced by rain, snowmelt, and water releases from upstream dams. The river's watershed includes several tributaries, such as the Roaring Brook and the Spring Brook. Seasonal trends show that the river typically experiences higher flow in the spring due to snowmelt and rainfall. Interestingly, the river was once heavily polluted but has since undergone significant restoration efforts to improve water quality and aquatic habitat. The Lackawanna River is now a popular destination for recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and hiking.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Lackawanna River At Old Forge's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Lackawanna River At Old Forge | 130 cfs |
| Lackawanna R Bl Leggetts Creek At Scranton | 39 cfs |
| Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre | 3,530 cfs |
| Lackawanna River At Archbald | 62 cfs |
| Tunkhannock Creek Near Tunkhannock | 26 cfs |
| Lehigh River At Stoddartsville | 94 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Lackawanna River At Old Forge. 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 |
|---|---|
| Clifton | 5 in |
| Francis E Walter Dam | 0 in |
| Lake Harmony 2.4 Wnw | 0 in |
| Prompton Dam | 9 in |
| Canadensis | 0 in |
| Pleasant Mount 1 W | 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 Lackawanna River At Old Forge in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Lackawanna River At Old Forge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Lackawanna River At Old Forge
Where does the streamflow data for Lackawanna River At Old Forge come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 01536000. 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 Lackawanna River At Old Forge 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 Lackawanna River At Old Forge report
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