Humboldt River

Last Updated: April 25, 2026

Total streamflow across the Humboldt River was last observed at 940 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 1,865 acre-ft of water today; about 23% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 4,150 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2019-06-11 when daily discharge volume was observed at 22,830 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Humboldt River At Old Us 40 Bridge reporting a streamflow rate of 194 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Humboldt R At Battle Mountain with a gauge stage of 4.64 ft. This river is monitored from 8 different streamgauging stations along the Humboldt River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 5,144 ft, the Humboldt R Nr Elko.

The Humboldt River is a 290-mile long river in northern Nevada that was named after the famous explorer, Alexander von Humboldt.


15-Day Long Term Forecast


River Details

Last Updated 2026-04-24
Discharge Volume 1,865 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 940.4 cfs
Past 24 Hours: -69.9 cfs (-6.92%)
Percent of Normal 22.66%
Maximum 22,830.0 cfs
2019-06-11
Seasonal Avg 4,150 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Humboldt R Nr Elko
USGS 10318500
59 cfs 1.47 ft -5.14
Humboldt R Nr Carlin
USGS 10321000
137 cfs 1.49 ft -5.52
Humboldt R At Palisade
USGS 10322500
154 cfs 1.88 ft -7.23
Humboldt River At Old Us 40 Bridge
USGS 10323425
194 cfs 3.19 ft -5.83
Humboldt R At Battle Mountain
USGS 10325000
157 cfs 4.64 ft -3.68
Humboldt R At Comus
USGS 10327500
145 cfs 3.21 ft -3.33
Humboldt R Nr Imlay
USGS 10333000
94 cfs 2.46 ft -20.08
Humboldt R Nr Rye Patch
USGS 10335000
1 cfs 3.89 ft 0
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Humboldt River runs through northern Nevada in the western United States. At approximately 290 miles (470 km) long it is the third longest river in the Great Basin, after the Bear and Sevier Rivers. It has no outlet to the ocean, but instead empties into the Humboldt Sink. It is the fifth largest river in the United States, in terms of discharge, that does not ultimately reach the ocean, while it is the largest in terms of area drained. Through its tributaries, the river drains most of sparsely populated northern Nevada, traversing the state roughly east to west, and passing through repeated gaps in the north–south running mountain ranges. It furnishes the only natural transportation artery across the Great Basin and has provided a route for historic westward migrations and subsequent railroads and highways. The river is named for the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt.