Contoocook River Flow Today
As of October 28, 2026 at 3:00 AM, the Contoocook River is flowing at 274 cfs at W Hopkinton, NH — 44% 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 38 to 274 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Contoocook River map
See the Contoocook River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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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 274 cfs — 44% of normal, down 20% since yesterday. Along the river, 3 of 3 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 44% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at W Hopkinton (-20%) and Henniker (-19%).
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
- Peterborough751 ft 38 cfs40%
- Henniker492 ft 235 cfs47%
- W Hopkinton361 ft 274 cfs44%
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 (44%).
Contoocook River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Contoocook River At Peterborough NH
Oct 28, 3:30 AM · USGS 01082000 |
38 cfs | 40% | -5% | 1.45 ft | 4.1 ft below | 751 ft |
|
Contoocook River Near Henniker NH
Oct 28, 3:30 AM · USGS 01085000 |
235 cfs | 47% | -19% | 5.65 ft | 6.4 ft below | 492 ft |
|
Contoocook River Below Hopkinton Dam At W Hopkinton NH
Oct 28, 3:00 AM · USGS 01085500 |
274 cfs | 44% | -20% | 2.02 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.
Dams & reservoirs on the Contoocook River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Contoocook River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
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.
About the Contoocook River
How is the Contoocook River flowing right now?
As of October 28, 2026, the Contoocook River is flowing at 274 cfs at W Hopkinton, NH, about 44% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 38 to 274 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 44% 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.