Forest River Flow Today
As of October 3, 2026 at 2:15 AM, the Forest River is flowing at 53 cfs at Minto, ND — 157% of normal for the date. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 41 to 53 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Forest River map
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Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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Forest 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 Minto, the Forest River is running 53 cfs — 157% of normal. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 139% of normal).
How the Forest 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
- Fordville1,042 ft 41 cfs121%
- Minto812 ft 53 cfs157%
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 Forest River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (139%).
Forest River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Forest River Near Fordville ND
Oct 3, 2:15 AM · USGS 05084000 |
41 cfs | 121% | -3% | 1.72 ft | · | 1,042 ft |
|
Forest River At Minto ND
Oct 3, 2:15 AM · USGS 05085000 |
53 cfs | 157% | 0% | 1.56 ft | 4.4 ft below | 812 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 Forest River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Forest River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Forest River
The Forest River is a small river that runs for approximately 20 miles through North Dakota in the United States. The river has a rich history as it was once used as a major transportation route for fur traders and early settlers. Today, the Forest River has several reservoirs and dams, including the Forest River Dam, which was built in 1955 for flood control. The Forest River also provides water for agricultural irrigation and is a popular destination for fishing and boating. The river has several species of fish including northern pike, walleye, and catfish. In addition, the Forest River is surrounded by beautiful wooded areas, making it an ideal location for hiking and camping.
About the Forest River
How is the Forest River flowing right now?
As of October 3, 2026, the Forest River is flowing at 53 cfs at Minto, ND, about 157% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 41 to 53 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Forest River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Forest River is at 139% 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 Forest River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Minto (6.0 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.