Columbia River At International Boundary flow report
As of July 14, 2026, Columbia River At International Boundary is flowing at 105,000 cfs with a gage height of 103.82 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12399500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Columbia River At International Boundary at a glance
How Columbia River At International Boundary is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Columbia River At International Boundary is flowing at 105,000 cfs, with the water sitting 103.82 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #12399500 in Washington. Over the past 10 days the average has been 127,700 cfs, peaking at 154,000 cfs.
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
Over the next 5 days, Columbia River At International Boundary is expected to hold near today's 105000 cfs, toward roughly 95481 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 70261-129752 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
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.
Columbia River At International Boundary
The main flow providers are snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains and precipitation. Tributaries include the Kettle River and the Pend Oreille River. Dams, such as the Grand Coulee Dam, affect flow and water temperature. Seasonal trends show high flows in the spring due to snowmelt and low flows in the late summer and fall. The Columbia River is a key source of hydroelectric power and irrigation for the Pacific Northwest region. Interestingly, the Columbia River is home to the largest dam removal project in history, with the planned removal of four dams on the lower Snake River to restore salmon populations.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Columbia River At International Boundary's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Columbia River At International Boundary | 105,000 cfs |
| Pend Oreille River Below Box Canyon Near Ione | 20,900 cfs |
| Outlet Creek Near Metaline Falls | 19 cfs |
| Kettle River Near Laurier | 940 cfs |
| Colville River At Kettle Falls | 60 cfs |
| Boundary Creek Nr Porthill Id | 42 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Columbia River At International Boundary. 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 |
|---|---|
| Boundary Dam | 0 in |
| Bunchgrass Mdw | 1 in |
| Nohrsc Bunchgrass Mdw | 1 in |
| Nohrsc Kettle Falls 10.2 Nw | 0 in |
| Sentinel Butte | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Sentinel Butte | — |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Columbia River At International Boundary.
Boat launches
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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 Columbia River At International Boundary in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Columbia River At International Boundary crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Columbia River At International Boundary
Where does the streamflow data for Columbia River At International Boundary come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12399500. 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 Columbia River At International Boundary 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 Columbia River At International Boundary report
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