Crow Wing River River Levels

Last Updated: December 4, 2025

The Crow Wing River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, located in central Minnesota.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Crow Wing River was last observed at 944 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 1,872 acre-ft of water today; about 49% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 1,928 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2023-04-18 when daily discharge volume was observed at 10,970 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Crow Wing River Near Pillager reporting a streamflow rate of 742 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Crow Wing River, with a gauge stage of 3.69 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Crow Wing River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,326 ft, the Crow Wing River At Nimrod.

River Details

Last Updated 2025-11-28
Discharge Volume 1,872 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 944.0 cfs
-125.0 cfs (-11.69%)
Percent of Normal 48.95%
Maximum 10,970.0 cfs
2023-04-18
Seasonal Avg 1,928 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Crow Wing River At Nimrod
USGS 05244000
279 cfs 3.17 ft 8.14
Crow Wing River Near Pillager
USGS 05247500
742 cfs 3.69 ft 19.29
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Crow Wing River is a 113-mile-long (182 km) tributary of the Mississippi River in Minnesota, United States. The river rises at an elevation of about 1391 feet in a chain of 11 lakes in southern Hubbard County, Minnesota, and flows generally south, then east, entering the Mississippi at Crow Wing State Park northwest of Little Falls, Minnesota. Its name is a loose translation from the Ojibwe language Gaagaagiwigwani-ziibi ("Raven-feather River"). A wing-shaped island at its mouth accounts for the river's name. Because of its many campsites and its undeveloped shores, the Crow Wing River is considered one of the state's best "wilderness" routes for canoeists; although it is shallow (seldom more than 3 feet (0.91 m) deep), it is nearly always deep enough for canoeing.