CLEARWATER RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
February 10, 2025

Winter Weather Advisory
2025-02-12T11:00:00-07:00

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 6 inches. * WHERE...Portions of east central, north central, and northeast Colorado including the Denver metro. * WHEN...From 2 PM Tuesday to 11 AM MST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions will impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes.


TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE

Total streamflow across the Clearwater River was last observed at 4,053 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 8,039 acre-ft of water today; about 16% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 25,828 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2022-06-12 when daily discharge volume was observed at 263,553 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Clearwater River At Orofino Id reporting a streamflow rate of 15,400 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Clearwater R Blw Mowich Creek with a gauge stage of 5.59 ft. This river is monitored from 7 different streamgauging stations along the Clearwater River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 3,909 ft, the Clearwater R Ab Trap Cr Nr T Falls.

The Clearwater River is a major tributary of the Snake River, spanning approximately 74 miles in length. It begins in the Bitterroot Mountains of western Montana and flows through Idaho before joining the Snake River. The river played a significant role in the region's history, as it was used by the Nez Perce tribe for fishing and transportation. Today, the river is used for agricultural purposes, including irrigation and hydroelectric power, with several dams and reservoirs along its length. The most notable of these is the Dworshak Dam, which is the third tallest dam in the United States. The river is also a popular recreational destination, offering fishing, kayaking, and white-water rafting opportunities. The Clearwater National Forest is located along the river and provides ample opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.

Last Updated 2025-02-10
Discharge Volume 8,039 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 4,053.0 cfs
-3916.8 cfs (-49.15%)
Percent of Normal 15.69%
Maximum 263,553.0 cfs
2022-06-12
Seasonal Avg 25,828 cfs

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Clearwater R Ab Trap Cr Nr T Falls
USGS 14314500
50 cfs 3.45 ft 0
Clearwater R Blw Mowich Creek
USGS 14314700
163 cfs 5.59 ft 8.67
Clearwater River At Plummer
USGS 05078000
56 cfs 3.76 ft 15.05
Clearwater River At Orofino Id
USGS 13340000
15400 cfs 3.01 ft -6.1
Clearwater River At Red Lake Falls
USGS 05078500
123 cfs 5.52 ft 0
Clearwater River Nr Peck Id
USGS 13341050
3830 cfs 4.12 ft -2.21
Clearwater River At Spalding Id
USGS 13342500
3890 cfs 3.56 ft -1.27
History of the River

A clearwater river is classified based on its chemistry, sediments and water colour. Clearwater rivers have a low conductivity, relatively low levels of dissolved solids, typically have a neutral to slightly acidic pH and are very clear with a greenish colour. Clearwater rivers often have fast-flowing sections.The main clearwater rivers are South American and have their source in the Brazilian Plateau or the Guiana Shield. Outside South America the classification is not commonly used, but rivers with clearwater characteristics are found elsewhere.Amazonian rivers fall into three main categories: clearwater, blackwater and whitewater. This classification system was first proposed by Alfred Russel Wallace in 1853 based on water colour, but the types were more clearly defined according to chemistry and physics by Harald Sioli (de) from the 1950s to the 1980s. Although many Amazonian rivers fall clearly into one of these categories, others show a mix of characteristics and may vary depending on season and flood levels.

       

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