Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls is flowing at 93 cfs with a gage height of 8.12 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05342000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls at a glance
How Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls is flowing at 93 cfs, with the water sitting 8.12 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05342000 in Wisconsin. Over the past 10 days the average has been 97 cfs, peaking at 113 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls is expected to hold near today's 91 cfs, toward roughly 97 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 76-124 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 Wisconsin 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.
Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls
The river is primarily fed by groundwater and is known for its excellent trout fishing. The Kinnickinnic River has several tributaries, including Cedar Creek and Trout Brook. Seasonal trends show that the river's flow is highest in the springtime due to snowmelt and precipitation, while flow is lowest in the late summer and fall. The river is also home to several dams, including the Junction Falls Dam and the Kinnickinnic State Park Dam. Interestingly, the Kinnickinnic River is named after the Native American word for "what is mixed," referring to the river's clear water mixing with the sediment from its gravel bottom.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls | 93 cfs |
| Mississippi River At Prescott | 21,400 cfs |
| Mississippi River Below L&D #2 At Hastings | 16,600 cfs |
| Willow River @ Willow R State Park Nr Burkhardt | 130 cfs |
| Cannon River At Welch | 1,040 cfs |
| Vermillion River Near Empire | 25 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Kinnickinnic River Near River 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 |
|---|---|
| Hastings Dam 2 | 0 in |
| Baldwin | 0 in |
| Forest Lake 5ne | 0 in |
| Durand | 0 in |
| St Croix Falls | 0 in |
| Jordan 1ssw | 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 Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls
Where does the streamflow data for Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05342000. 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 Kinnickinnic River Near River 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 Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls report
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