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River report

Forest River Flow Today

As of October 23, 2026 at 2:15 AM, the Forest River is flowing at 37 cfs at Minto, ND — 80% of normal for the date. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 32 to 37 cfs. ❤ Favorite

USGS gauges
2 2 reporting · upstream → down
Forest River Near Fordville: 77% of normalForest River At Minto: 80% of normal
Typical gauge
79% of normal for the date
0%normal200%
Biggest flow now
37cfs Minto
Updated
Oct 23, 2:15 AM
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River briefing · Oct 23, 2026

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 37 cfs — 80% of normal. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 79% of normal).

Headwaters to mouth

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

  1. Fordville1,042 ft 32 cfs77%
  2. Minto812 ft 37 cfs80%

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 (79%).

Typical gauge 79%
0%50%100% · normal150%200%+
Much below normal0Below normal2Near normal0Above normal0Much above normal0

Forest River flow report

2 gauges
Streamgage Streamflow % of normal 24h Gage height To flood stage Elevation
Forest River Near Fordville ND
Oct 23, 2:15 AM · USGS 05084000
32 cfs 77% 0% 1.68 ft · 1,042 ft
Forest River At Minto ND
Oct 23, 2:15 AM · USGS 05085000
37 cfs 80% 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.

History

Forest River streamflow over time

Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.

Maximum streamflow by year

About this river

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.

FAQ

About the Forest River

How is the Forest River flowing right now?

As of October 23, 2026, the Forest River is flowing at 37 cfs at Minto, ND, about 80% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 32 to 37 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 79% 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.

More river levels

Rivers in North Dakota