St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls flow report
As of July 13, 2026, St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls is flowing at 4,250 cfs with a gage height of 3.86 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05340500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls at a glance
How St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls is flowing at 4,250 cfs, with the water sitting 3.86 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05340500 in Wisconsin. Over the past 10 days the average has been 3,198 cfs, peaking at 4,250 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls is expected to hold near today's 4140 cfs, toward roughly 3773 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 1971-7222 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
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.
St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls
Croix River at St. Croix Falls, WI has a streamgauge that provides information on water flow levels. The river is fed by various tributaries and constituents, including the Namekagon River and the Kettle River. The hydrology of the river is impacted by several dams, including the St. Croix Falls Dam and the Gordon Dam. During the summer months, the water flow tends to decrease due to decreased precipitation and increased evaporation. In the winter, the river may experience ice jams which can cause fluctuations in flow levels. Interestingly, the St. Croix River is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which helps to preserve its natural beauty and ecology.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls | 4,250 cfs |
| Willow River @ Willow R State Park Nr Burkhardt | 130 cfs |
| Snake River Near Pine City | 1,650 cfs |
| Rum River Near St. Francis | 865 cfs |
| Mississippi River Near Anoka | 8,310 cfs |
| Mississippi River At Anoka | 7,840 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near St. Croix River At St. Croix 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 |
|---|---|
| St Croix Falls | 0 in |
| Wild River State Park | 0 in |
| Forest Lake 5ne | 0 in |
| Cumberland | 0 in |
| Baldwin | 0 in |
| Shell Lake 4.3 Sw | 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 St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls
Where does the streamflow data for St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05340500. 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 St. Croix River At St. Croix 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 St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls report
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