Bighorn River At Kane flow report
As of July 12, 2026, Bighorn River At Kane is flowing at 659 cfs with a gage height of 1.72 ft, receding 15% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #06279500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Bighorn River At Kane at a glance
How Bighorn River At Kane is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Bighorn River At Kane is flowing at 659 cfs, with the water sitting 1.72 ft at the gage. Flow is down 15% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #06279500 in Wyoming. Over the past 10 days the average has been 805 cfs, peaking at 886 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Bighorn River At Kane is expected to recede from today's 659 cfs, toward roughly 579 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 228-1468 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 Wyoming 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.
Bighorn River At Kane
The river is fed by the Bighorn Mountains and the Wind River Range, which provide a steady flow of water throughout the year. The river is also connected to several tributaries, including the Shoshone River and the Greybull River. The river's flow is closely monitored by the USGS and other agencies to ensure that it remains healthy and accessible to both wildlife and humans. Seasonal trends show that the river typically experiences higher flows in the spring and summer months, while drier conditions prevail in the fall and winter. Interesting fact: the Bighorn River is home to a diverse array of fish species, including rainbow trout, brown trout, and smallmouth bass.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Bighorn River At Kane's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Bighorn River At Kane | 659 cfs |
| Shoshone River Near Lovell | 465 cfs |
| Shell Creek Near Shell | 74 cfs |
| Bighorn River At Basin | 593 cfs |
| Little Bighorn River At State Line Nr Wyola Mt | 104 cfs |
| West Pass Creek Near Parkman | 10 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Bighorn River At Kane. 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 Bald Mountain Snotel | — |
| Bald Mtn. | 1 in |
| Deaver - Coop | 0 in |
| Basin - Coop | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Bone Springs Divide Snotel | — |
| Bone Springs Div | 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 Bighorn River At Kane in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Bighorn River At Kane crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Bighorn River At Kane
Where does the streamflow data for Bighorn River At Kane come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 06279500. 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 Bighorn River At Kane 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 Bighorn River At Kane report
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