Skagit River At Newhalem flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Skagit River At Newhalem is flowing at 3,450 cfs with a gage height of 83.79 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12178000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Skagit River At Newhalem at a glance
How Skagit River At Newhalem is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Skagit River At Newhalem is flowing at 3,450 cfs, with the water sitting 83.79 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #12178000 in Washington. Over the past 10 days the average has been 3,581 cfs, peaking at 4,000 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Skagit River At Newhalem is expected to hold near today's 3480 cfs, toward roughly 3452 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 2002-5954 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.
Skagit River At Newhalem
The river is fed by numerous tributaries, including the Sauk and Cascade Rivers, and is regulated by dams such as Gorge and Ross. The flow of the river varies seasonally, with peak flows occurring during the spring snowmelt and lowest flows occurring in the late summer months. Interesting facts about the river include its designation as a Wild and Scenic River and its role in supporting the largest remaining population of wild Chinook salmon in the contiguous United States.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Skagit River At Newhalem's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Skagit River At Newhalem | 3,450 cfs |
| Newhalem Creek Near Newhalem | 30 cfs |
| Thunder Creek Near Newhalem | 837 cfs |
| Bacon Creek Below Oakes Creek Near Marblemount | 224 cfs |
| Cascade River At Marblemount | 739 cfs |
| Skagit River At Marblemount | 4,150 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Skagit River At Newhalem. 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 |
|---|---|
| Newhalem | 0 in |
| Diablo Reservoir | 0 in |
| Diablo Dam | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Beaver Pass | 0 in |
| Beaver Pass | 0 in |
| Thunder Basin | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Skagit River At Newhalem.
Nearby reservoirs
See all →
Boat launches
See all →
River runs
See all →
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 Skagit River At Newhalem in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Skagit River At Newhalem crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Skagit River At Newhalem
Where does the streamflow data for Skagit River At Newhalem come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12178000. 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 Skagit River At Newhalem 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 Skagit River At Newhalem report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
- Flow alerts — get pinged the moment this river hits your range
- Save favorites — every river, lake & snowpack in one place
- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app