Canadian River

Last Updated: May 3, 2026

Total streamflow across the Canadian River was last observed at 3,270 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 6,487 acre-ft of water today; about 17% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 18,915 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2015-05-26 when daily discharge volume was observed at 317,535 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Canadian River Near Whitefield reporting a streamflow rate of 2,550 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Canadian River At Norman with a gauge stage of 85.87 ft. This river is monitored from 10 different streamgauging stations along the Canadian River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 5,648 ft, the Canadian River Near Taylor Springs.

The Canadian River is a major river in the southern Great Plains of North America, flowing eastward from Colorado and New Mexico into Texas and Oklahoma.


15-Day Long Term Forecast


River Details

Last Updated 2026-05-03
Discharge Volume 6,487 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 3,270.3 cfs
Past 24 Hours: -279.7 cfs (-7.88%)
Percent of Normal 17.29%
Maximum 317,535.0 cfs
2015-05-26
Seasonal Avg 18,915 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Canadian River Near Taylor Springs
USGS 07211500
17 cfs 3.81 ft -9.09
Canadian River Near Sanchez
USGS 07221500
4 cfs 0.97 ft 18.5
Canadian River At Logan
USGS 07227000
3 cfs 1.2 ft -4.56
Canadian Rv Nr Amarillo
USGS 07227500
14 cfs 0.99 ft -6.25
Canadian Rv Nr Canadian
USGS 07228000
32 cfs 1.2 ft 0
Canadian River At Bridgeport
USGS 07228500
104 cfs 9.29 ft 0.97
Canadian River At Norman
USGS 07229050
99 cfs 85.87 ft -1.98
Canadian River At Purcell
USGS 07229200
159 cfs 3.58 ft -5.92
Canadian River At Calvin
USGS 07231500
309 cfs 5.85 ft -8.04
Canadian River Near Whitefield
USGS 07245000
2550 cfs 3.46 ft -8.6
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Canadian River is the longest tributary of the Arkansas River in the United States. It is about 906 miles (1,458 km) long, starting in Colorado and traveling through New Mexico, the Texas Panhandle, and Oklahoma. The drainage area is about 47,700 square miles (124,000 km2).The Canadian is sometimes referred to as the South Canadian River to differentiate it from the North Canadian River that flows into it.