Stehekin River At Stehekin flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Stehekin River At Stehekin is flowing at 1,260 cfs with a gage height of 20.00 ft, receding 12% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12451000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Stehekin River At Stehekin at a glance
How Stehekin River At Stehekin is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Stehekin River At Stehekin is flowing at 1,260 cfs, with the water sitting 20.00 ft at the gage. Flow is down 12% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #12451000 in Washington. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,701 cfs, peaking at 2,020 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Stehekin River At Stehekin is expected to hold near today's 1440 cfs, toward roughly 1321 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 696-2508 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.
Stehekin River At Stehekin
It flows through the North Cascades National Park and is a tributary to Lake Chelan. The river is primarily fed by glaciers and snowmelt from the surrounding mountains, with occasional contributions from rainfall. There are no significant dams on the river, but there are several tributaries that contribute to its flow. The river typically experiences high flow in the spring and early summer due to snowmelt, while fall and winter flows are lower. Interestingly, the Stehekin River is known for its remarkable turquoise color, which is the result of glacial sediment suspended in the water.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Stehekin River At Stehekin's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Stehekin River At Stehekin | 1,440 cfs |
| Salix Creek At S Cascade Gl Near Marblemount | 0 cfs |
| Methow River Above Goat Creek Near Mazama | 325 cfs |
| Twisp River Near Twisp | 169 cfs |
| Chewuch River At Winthrop | 133 cfs |
| Methow River At Winthrop | 571 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Stehekin River At Stehekin. 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 |
|---|---|
| Stehekin 4nw | 0 in |
| Holden Village | 0 in |
| Park Creek Ridge | 1 in |
| Nohrsc Park Creek Ridge | 1 in |
| Rainy Pass | 0 in |
| Lyman Lake | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Stehekin River At Stehekin.
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 Stehekin River At Stehekin in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Stehekin River At Stehekin crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Stehekin River At Stehekin
Where does the streamflow data for Stehekin River At Stehekin come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12451000. 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 Stehekin River At Stehekin 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 Stehekin River At Stehekin report
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