Colville River At Kettle Falls flow report
As of July 14, 2026, Colville River At Kettle Falls is flowing at 60 cfs with a gage height of 5.15 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12409000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Colville River At Kettle Falls at a glance
How Colville River At Kettle Falls is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Colville River At Kettle Falls is flowing at 60 cfs, with the water sitting 5.15 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #12409000 in Washington. Over the past 10 days the average has been 81 cfs, peaking at 109 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, Colville River At Kettle Falls is expected to hold near today's 63 cfs, toward roughly 61 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 26-142 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.
Colville River At Kettle Falls
The river has several tributaries, including the Little Pend Oreille River and the San Poil River. Flow levels are highest in the spring due to snowmelt and can decrease during the dry summer months. The river is also affected by the Grand Coulee Dam, which regulates the flow of the Columbia River, which in turn affects the Colville River. The dam also provides hydroelectric power to the area. Interesting fact: Kettle Falls, located on the Colville River, was historically an important fishing site for Native American tribes.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Colville River At Kettle Falls's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Colville River At Kettle Falls | 60 cfs |
| Kettle River Near Laurier | 940 cfs |
| Pend Oreille River Below Box Canyon Near Ione | 20,900 cfs |
| Columbia River At International Boundary | 105,000 cfs |
| Outlet Creek Near Metaline Falls | 19 cfs |
| Kettle River Near Ferry | 326 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Colville River At Kettle Falls. 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 |
|---|---|
| Nohrsc Kettle Falls 10.2 Nw | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Sentinel Butte | — |
| Sentinel Butte | 0 in |
| Republic 8.4 Nne | 0 in |
| Republic 4.2 N | 0 in |
| Gold Mountain | 2 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Colville River At Kettle Falls.
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 Colville River At Kettle Falls in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Colville River At Kettle Falls crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Colville River At Kettle Falls
Where does the streamflow data for Colville River At Kettle Falls come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12409000. 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 Colville River At Kettle Falls 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 Colville River At Kettle Falls report
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