Roanoke River At Niagara flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Roanoke River At Niagara is flowing at 482 cfs with a gage height of 3.02 ft, rising 175% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #02056000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Roanoke River At Niagara at a glance
How Roanoke River At Niagara is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Roanoke River At Niagara is flowing at 482 cfs, with the water sitting 3.02 ft at the gage. Flow is up 175% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #02056000 in Virginia. Over the past 10 days the average has been 243 cfs, peaking at 482 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Roanoke River At Niagara is expected to recede from today's 482 cfs, toward roughly 350 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 203-602 cfs) -- about normal for the date.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Virginia 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.
Roanoke River At Niagara
The river has several tributaries, including the Dan River and the Smith River. The hydrology of the Roanoke River is largely influenced by seasonal trends, with higher flow rates typically occurring in the spring due to snowmelt and rainfall. There are several dams on the river, including the Roanoke Rapids Dam and the Smith Mountain Lake Dam, which help regulate the flow of water. Interestingly, the Roanoke River is home to numerous species of fish, including striped bass, catfish, and shad, making it a popular spot for fishing.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Roanoke River At Niagara's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Roanoke River At Niagara | 482 cfs |
| Back Creek Near Dundee | 92 cfs |
| Roanoke River At Roanoke | 241 cfs |
| Tinker Creek Near Daleville | 9 cfs |
| Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount | 39 cfs |
| Roanoke River At Glenvar | 232 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Roanoke River At Niagara. 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 |
|---|---|
| Copper Hill | 0 in |
| Radio Stn Wblt | 0 in |
| Huddleston 4 Sw | 0 in |
| Blacksburg Nwso | 0 in |
| Christiansburg | 0 in |
| Big Island | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Roanoke River At Niagara.
Boat launches
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River runs
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Nearby fishing
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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 Roanoke River At Niagara in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Roanoke River At Niagara crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Roanoke River At Niagara
Where does the streamflow data for Roanoke River At Niagara come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 02056000. 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 Roanoke River At Niagara 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 Roanoke River At Niagara report
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