Kawishiwi River Flow Today
As of October 5, 2026 at 2:00 AM, the Kawishiwi River is flowing at 17 cfs near Ely, MN — 29% of normal for the date and down 4% in 24 hours. ❤ Favorite
Kawishiwi River map
See the Kawishiwi River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
- Gauges now — which reaches are high or low
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Kawishiwi 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 Ely, the Kawishiwi River is running 17 cfs — 29% of normal, down 4% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 29% of normal).
How the Kawishiwi 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
- Ely1,427 ft 17 cfs29%
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 Kawishiwi River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (29%).
Kawishiwi River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kawishiwi River Near Ely MN
Oct 5, 2:00 AM · USGS 05124480 |
17 cfs | 29% | -4% | 2.50 ft | 1,427 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 Kawishiwi River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Kawishiwi River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river (this total last updated earlier; the live gauge readings above are current).
Kawishiwi River
The Kawishiwi River is a 60-mile-long river that flows through the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota. The river was historically used for transportation by the Ojibwe people and was later used by the fur trade industry in the 17th and 18th centuries. The river is also significant for its hydrology, as it is a part of the Rainy River watershed and contributes to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. There are several dams and reservoirs along the river, including the Fall Lake Dam and the Garden Lake Reservoir, which are used for hydroelectric power generation. The Kawishiwi River is a popular destination for recreational activities such as fishing, canoeing, and camping. However, agricultural use of the river is limited due to its protected status within the Superior National Forest.
Fishing near the Kawishiwi River
About the Kawishiwi River
How is the Kawishiwi River flowing right now?
As of October 5, 2026, the Kawishiwi River is flowing at 17 cfs near Ely, MN, about 29% of normal for the date. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Kawishiwi River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Kawishiwi River is at 29% 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.
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.