Pawtuxet River At Cranston flow report
As of July 12, 2026, Pawtuxet River At Cranston is flowing at 136 cfs with a gage height of 3.79 ft, receding 16% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #01116500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Pawtuxet River At Cranston at a glance
How Pawtuxet River At Cranston is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Pawtuxet River At Cranston is flowing at 136 cfs, with the water sitting 3.79 ft at the gage. Flow is down 16% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #01116500 in Rhode Island. Over the past 10 days the average has been 193 cfs, peaking at 517 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Pawtuxet River At Cranston is expected to hold near today's 136 cfs, toward roughly 124 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 46-333 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 Rhode Island 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.
Pawtuxet River At Cranston
The main constituents that affect the flow are precipitation and snowmelt. There are several tributaries that feed into the Pawtuxet River, including the Moswansicut River and the Pocasset River. Additionally, there are several dams along the river that can affect the flow, such as the Ponaganset Dam and the Hope Mill Dam. The river experiences seasonal trends, with higher flow during the spring due to snowmelt and rainfall. Interestingly, the Pawtuxet River is known for being one of the few rivers in the US that flows north.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Pawtuxet River At Cranston's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Pawtuxet River At Cranston | 136 cfs |
| Moshassuck River At Providence | 12 cfs |
| Ten Mile River At Pawtucket Ave @ E Providence | 40 cfs |
| South Branch Pawtuxet River At Washington | 58 cfs |
| Hunt River Near East Greenwich | 12 cfs |
| Woonasquatucket River At Centerdale | 13 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Pawtuxet River At Cranston. 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 |
|---|---|
| Providence Green State Airport | 6 in |
| Coventry 2 | 0 in |
| Coventry | 0 in |
| Moosup 1.7 Ne | 0 in |
| East Killingly 1.3 Sw | 0 in |
| Norton 1.8 Nne | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Pawtuxet River At Cranston.
Boat launches
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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 Pawtuxet River At Cranston in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Pawtuxet River At Cranston crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Pawtuxet River At Cranston
Where does the streamflow data for Pawtuxet River At Cranston come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 01116500. 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 Pawtuxet River At Cranston 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 Pawtuxet River At Cranston report
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