Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre Flow Report
As of July 16, 2026, Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre is flowing at 3,030 cfs with a gage height of 0.76 ft, receding 5% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #01536500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre at a glance
How Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre is flowing at 3,030 cfs, with the water sitting 0.76 ft at the gage. Flow is down 5% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #01536500 in Pennsylvania. Over the past 10 days the average has been 4,397 cfs, peaking at 6,190 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Pennsylvania flow report.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #01536500).
Estimate flows at an ungauged site
Drainage-area ratio transfer from this gauge . Most reliable for hydrologically similar sites in the same watershed with area ratios between roughly 0.5 and 1.5.
Percentiles are flow-duration values computed from this gauge’s observed daily record as archived by Snoflo. Return periods are Weibull plotting-position estimates from observed annual maxima, provided as general reference context only. Always verify against official USGS NWIS records. Part of Snoflo for Engineering.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre is expected to hold near today's 3030 cfs, toward roughly 2862 cfs by 2026-07-21 (likely range 1055-7764 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.
| Date | Expected (p50) | Likely range (p25–p75) | vs normal | Projected stage |
|---|
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.
Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre
The river's main constituents are water, sediment, and dissolved nutrients. There are several tributaries that contribute to the flow of the Susquehanna, including the Lackawanna, Tunkhannock, and Nescopeck Creeks. There are also several dams along the river, including the Francis E. Walter Dam and the Conowingo Dam. The river's flow is affected by seasonal trends, with higher flow during the spring snowmelt and lower flow during the summer months. One quirky fact is that the Susquehanna River is the longest river on the American east coast, stretching over 440 miles from its source in New York State to its mouth in the Chesapeake Bay.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre | 3,030 cfs |
| Lackawanna River At Old Forge | 83 cfs |
| Lehigh R Bl Francis E Walter Res Nr White Haven Pa | 294 cfs |
| Lehigh River At Stoddartsville | 75 cfs |
| Wapwallopen Creek Near Wapwallopen | 19 cfs |
| Lackawanna R Bl Leggetts Creek At Scranton | 34 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre. 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 |
|---|---|
| Francis E Walter Dam | 0 in |
| Clifton | 5 in |
| Lake Harmony 2.4 Wnw | 0 in |
| Jim Thorpe 1.1 Nne | 0 in |
| Route 209 And Preachers Camp | 0 in |
| Lehighton 1ssw | 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 Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre
Where does the streamflow data for Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 01536500. 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 Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre 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 Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre report
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