Buffalo Bayou At W Belt Dr At Houston Flow Report
As of July 16, 2026, Buffalo Bayou At W Belt Dr At Houston is flowing at 133 cfs with a gage height of 35.31 ft, receding 29% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #08073600, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Buffalo Bayou At W Belt Dr At Houston at a glance
How Buffalo Bayou At W Belt Dr At Houston is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Buffalo Bayou At W Belt Dr At Houston is flowing at 133 cfs, with the water sitting 35.31 ft at the gage. Flow is down 29% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #08073600 in Texas. Over the past 10 days the average has been 254 cfs, peaking at 565 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Texas flow report.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #08073600).
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, Buffalo Bayou At W Belt Dr At Houston is expected to recede from today's 133 cfs, toward roughly 96 cfs by 2026-07-21 (likely range 35-263 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
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.
Buffalo Bayou At W Belt Dr At Houston
The bayou is fed by several tributaries and is impacted by dams along its length. Seasonally, the bayou experiences flooding during heavy rain events. Interestingly, the Buffalo Bayou has played a significant role in the history of Houston, serving as a major transportation route for goods and as a site for recreation. Today, efforts are underway to improve water quality and restore ecological function to the bayou.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Buffalo Bayou At W Belt Dr At Houston's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Bayou At W Belt Dr At Houston | 133 cfs |
| Buffalo Bayou At Piney Point | 161 cfs |
| Buffalo Bayou Nr Addicks | 120 cfs |
| Brays Bayou At Alief | 73 cfs |
| Langham Ck At Addicks Res Outflow Nr Addicks | 5 cfs |
| Buffalo Bayou At State Hwy 6 Nr Addicks | 69 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Buffalo Bayou At W Belt Dr At Houston. 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 W Belt Dr At Houston 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 W Belt Dr At Houston crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Buffalo Bayou At W Belt Dr At Houston
Where does the streamflow data for Buffalo Bayou At W Belt Dr At Houston come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 08073600. 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 W Belt Dr At Houston 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 W Belt Dr At Houston report
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