Cache River Flow Today
As of October 2, 2026 at 4:45 AM, the Cache River is flowing at 58 cfs near Cotton Plant, AR — 29% of normal for the date and down 20% in 24 hours. 3 of 3 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 0.8 to 58 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Cache River map
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Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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Cache River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Cotton Plant, the Cache River is running 58 cfs — 29% of normal, down 20% since yesterday. Along the river, 3 of 3 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 29% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Egypt (-32%) and Cotton Plant (-20%).
How the Cache River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Forman367 ft 0.8 cfs18%
- Egypt233 ft 6.6 cfs31%
- Cotton Plant183 ft 58 cfs29%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Cache River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (29%).
Cache River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cache River At Forman IL
Oct 2, 2:00 AM · USGS 03612000 |
0.8 cfs | 18% | +19% | 8.26 ft | 367 ft |
|
Cache River At Egypt AR
Oct 2, 4:45 AM · USGS 07077380 |
6.6 cfs | 31% | -32% | 4.96 ft | 233 ft |
|
Cache River Near Cotton Plant AR
Oct 2, 4:45 AM · USGS 07077555 |
58 cfs | 29% | -20% | 3.89 ft | 183 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Dams & reservoirs on the Cache River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Cache River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Cache River
The Cache River is a 92-mile-long river in southern Illinois. It was once a major transportation route for Native Americans and played a crucial role in the development of the region. The Cache River is fed by numerous small streams and is home to a diverse array of aquatic life, including several endangered species. The river is managed by several government agencies, and several reservoirs and dams have been built along its length to regulate its flow and provide irrigation to nearby farms. Recreational opportunities along the Cache River include fishing, boating, hiking, and birdwatching. Agriculturally, the river is an important source of water for local farms, and numerous crops are grown in the region, including corn, soybeans, and wheat. Despite its importance, the Cache River is threatened by pollution, development, and climate change, and efforts are underway to protect and preserve this vital natural resource.
Fishing near the Cache River
About the Cache River
How is the Cache River flowing right now?
As of October 2, 2026, the Cache River is flowing at 58 cfs near Cotton Plant, AR, about 29% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 0.8 to 58 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Cache River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Cache River is at 29% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.