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River report

Contoocook River Flow Today

As of October 8, 2026 at 4:00 AM, the Contoocook River is flowing at 203 cfs at W Hopkinton, NH — 77% of normal for the date and down 44% in 24 hours. 3 of 3 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 32 to 203 cfs. ❤ Favorite

USGS gauges
3 3 reporting · upstream → down
Contoocook River At Peterborough: 109% of normalContoocook River Near Henniker: 198% of normalContoocook River Below Hopkinton Dam At W Hopkinton: 77% of normal
Typical gauge
109% of normal for the date
0%normal200%
Biggest flow now
203cfs W Hopkinton
Updated
Oct 8, 4:00 AM
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River briefing · Oct 8, 2026

Contoocook 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 W Hopkinton, the Contoocook River is running 203 cfs — 77% of normal, down 44% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 3 reporting gauges are near normal (the typical gauge is at 109% of normal).

In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at W Hopkinton (-44%) and Henniker (-43%).

Highest against normal: Henniker at 198%. Lowest: W Hopkinton at 77%.

Headwaters to mouth

How the Contoocook 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

  1. Peterborough751 ft 32 cfs109%
  2. Henniker492 ft 183 cfs198%
  3. W Hopkinton361 ft 203 cfs77%

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 Contoocook River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (109%).

Typical gauge 109%
0%50%100% · normal150%200%+
Much below normal0Below normal1Near normal1Above normal0Much above normal1

Contoocook River flow report

3 gauges
Streamgage Streamflow % of normal 24h Gage height To flood stage Elevation
Contoocook River At Peterborough NH
Oct 8, 3:30 AM · USGS 01082000
32 cfs 109% -11% 1.39 ft 4.1 ft below 751 ft
Contoocook River Near Henniker NH
Oct 8, 3:30 AM · USGS 01085000
183 cfs 198% -43% 5.56 ft 6.4 ft below 492 ft
Contoocook River Below Hopkinton Dam At W Hopkinton NH
Oct 8, 4:00 AM · USGS 01085500
203 cfs 77% -44% 1.86 ft · 361 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.

History

Contoocook River streamflow over time

Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.

Maximum streamflow by year

About this river

Contoocook River

The Contoocook River is a 71-mile-long river in New Hampshire, United States. The river flows from its source at the confluence of the Pemigewasset River and Winnipesaukee River in Franklin to its mouth at the Merrimack River in Penacook. The river is an important source of hydroelectric power, with several dams and reservoirs along its length. The largest of these is the Contoocook Hydro project, which includes three dams and three reservoirs. The river also supports a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. The Contoocook River is also an important source of water for agriculture and industry in the region. The river has a rich history, with evidence of Native American settlements dating back over 10,000 years.

FAQ

About the Contoocook River

How is the Contoocook River flowing right now?

As of October 8, 2026, the Contoocook River is flowing at 203 cfs at W Hopkinton, NH, about 77% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 32 to 203 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.

Is the Contoocook River running high or low?

The typical gauge on the Contoocook River is at 109% 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 Contoocook River?

The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Peterborough (5.5 ft), Henniker (12.0 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.

More river levels

Rivers in New Hampshire