Columbia River Flow Today
As of October 22, 2026 at 12:15 AM, the Columbia River is flowing at 82,000 cfs at The Dalles, OR — 104% of normal for the date and up 5% in 24 hours. 4 of 4 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 20,000 to 82,000 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Columbia River map
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Columbia 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 The Dalles, the Columbia River is running 82,000 cfs — 104% of normal, up 5% since yesterday. Along the river, 3 of 4 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 81% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Quincy (-87%) and Priest Rapids Dam (-30%).
Highest against normal: The Dalles at 104%. Lowest: Quincy at 7%.
How the Columbia 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
- International Boundary1,300 ft 55,000 cfs79%
- Priest Rapids Dam405 ft 73,100 cfs84%
- The Dalles81 ft 82,000 cfs104%
- Quincy9 ft 20,000 cfs7%
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 Columbia River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (81%).
Columbia River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Columbia River At International Boundary WA
Oct 22, 12:00 AM · USGS 12399500 |
55,000 cfs | 79% | -14% | 96.75 ft | · | 1,300 ft |
|
Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam WA
Oct 22, 12:15 AM · USGS 12472800 |
73,100 cfs | 84% | -30% | 10.80 ft | 21.2 ft below | 405 ft |
|
Columbia River At The Dalles OR
Oct 22, 12:15 AM · USGS 14105700 |
82,000 cfs | 104% | +5% | 75.88 ft | · | 81 ft |
|
Columbia River @ Beaver Army Terminal Near Quincy OR
Oct 21, 12:50 AM · USGS 14246900 |
20,000 cfs | 7% | -87% | 5.74 ft | · | 9 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 Columbia River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Columbia River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America, spanning over 1,200 miles from the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia to the Pacific Ocean. It has played a significant role in the history of the region, serving as a transportation hub for indigenous peoples and European explorers. The river's hydrology is characterized by a high flow volume and seasonal variability, with peak flows occurring in spring and early summer. The Columbia River Basin is home to several large reservoirs and dams, including the Grand Coulee Dam and the Bonneville Dam, which generate hydropower and provide flood control. The river also supports a variety of agricultural uses, including irrigation and hydroelectric power, as well as recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and camping.
About the Columbia River
How is the Columbia River flowing right now?
As of October 22, 2026, the Columbia River is flowing at 82,000 cfs at The Dalles, OR, about 104% of normal for the date. Across its 4 USGS gauges, current flows range from 20,000 to 82,000 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Columbia River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Columbia River is at 81% 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.
What is flood stage on the Columbia River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Priest Rapids Dam (32.0 ft), . The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
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.