Similkameen River Near Nighthawk flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Similkameen River Near Nighthawk is flowing at 817 cfs with a gage height of 3.18 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12442500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Similkameen River Near Nighthawk at a glance
How Similkameen River Near Nighthawk is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Similkameen River Near Nighthawk is flowing at 817 cfs, with the water sitting 3.18 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #12442500 in Washington. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,013 cfs, peaking at 1,220 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Similkameen River Near Nighthawk is expected to hold near today's 851 cfs, toward roughly 793 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 324-1944 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 Washington 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.
Similkameen River Near Nighthawk
The flow of the river is influenced by several factors, including precipitation, snowmelt, and irrigation diversion. The river is fed by several tributaries, including the Ashnola River and the Pasayten River. There are no major dams on the Similkameen River, but there are several small irrigation diversions that can affect the flow of the river. The river has a seasonal flow, with high water levels in the spring and low water levels in the summer and fall. Interestingly, the Similkameen River is one of the few rivers in the United States that flows north.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Similkameen River Near Nighthawk's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Similkameen River Near Nighthawk | 817 cfs |
| Okanogan River At Oroville | 164 cfs |
| Okanogan River Near Tonasket | 917 cfs |
| Andrews Creek Near Mazama | 10 cfs |
| Kettle River Near Ferry | 344 cfs |
| Omak Creek Near Omak | 1 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Similkameen River Near Nighthawk. 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 |
|---|---|
| Salmon Meadows | 0 in |
| Tonasket 7.6 E | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Salmon Meadows | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Gold Axe Camp Snotel | 85 in |
| Gold Axe Camp | 0 in |
| Muckamuck | 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 Similkameen River Near Nighthawk in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Similkameen River Near Nighthawk crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Similkameen River Near Nighthawk
Where does the streamflow data for Similkameen River Near Nighthawk come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12442500. 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 Similkameen River Near Nighthawk 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 Similkameen River Near Nighthawk report
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