Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point is flowing at 543 cfs with a gage height of 30.51 ft, rising 160% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #08073700, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point at a glance
How Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point is flowing at 543 cfs, with the water sitting 30.51 ft at the gage. Flow is up 160% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #08073700 in Texas. Over the past 10 days the average has been 299 cfs, peaking at 809 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point is expected to recede from today's 209 cfs, toward roughly 152 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 46-504 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 Texas 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.
Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point
It is fed by several tributaries, including White Oak Bayou and Spring Creek. The bayou experiences seasonal fluctuations in flow due to changes in precipitation and runoff from neighboring areas. There are no major dams on the Buffalo Bayou, but the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs are located upstream and can impact flow rates during heavy rainfall events. Interesting facts about the Buffalo Bayou include its role in Houston's history and the recent efforts to improve water quality and recreational opportunities along the waterway.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point | 543 cfs |
| Buffalo Bayou At W Belt Dr At Houston | 565 cfs |
| Brays Bayou At Alief | 37 cfs |
| Buffalo Bayou Nr Addicks | 581 cfs |
| Brays Bayou At Gessner Dr | 144 cfs |
| Brickhouse Gully At Costa Rica St | 211 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point. 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 |
|---|---|
| Westbury | 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 Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point
Where does the streamflow data for Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 08073700. 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 Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point 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 Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point report
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