Kettle River Flow Today
As of November 2, 2026 at 11:15 PM, the Kettle River is flowing at 288 cfs near Laurier, WA — 71% of normal for the date and up 1% in 24 hours. 3 of 3 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 148 to 288 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Kettle River map
See the Kettle 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
- Dams & paddle runs — storage and what’s in range
- Rain — past 24 hrs and the 72-hr forecast, press play
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Kettle 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 Laurier, the Kettle River is running 288 cfs — 71% of normal, up 1% since yesterday. Along the river, 3 of 3 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 63% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is rising at Sandstone (+31%).
Paddlers: 2 of 2 runs on the Kettle River with a live range are in range.
How the Kettle 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
- Ferry1,846 ft 148 cfs63%
- Laurier1,443 ft 288 cfs71%
- Sandstone936 ft 185 cfs49%
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 Kettle River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (63%).
Kettle River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kettle River Near Ferry WA
Nov 2, 11:15 PM · USGS 12401500 |
148 cfs | 63% | -5% | 9.35 ft | 9.2 ft below | 1,846 ft |
|
Kettle River Near Laurier WA
Nov 2, 11:15 PM · USGS 12404500 |
288 cfs | 71% | +1% | 2.78 ft | · | 1,443 ft |
|
Kettle River Below Sandstone MN
Nov 3, 1:00 AM · USGS 05336700 |
185 cfs | 49% | +31% | 4.22 ft | · | 936 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.
Paddle runs on the Kettle River
2 of 2 runs are in range right now. Each run is checked against its runnable range using the gauge it is keyed to (or the nearest gauge on this river).
| Run | Status | Flow now | Runnable range | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam Gauge: Sandstone |
In range | 185 cfs | 181–2,554 cfs typical | II–III |
| The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam To The Confluence With St. Croix River Gauge: Sandstone |
In range | 185 cfs | 181–2,554 cfs typical | II–III |
Kettle River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Kettle River
The Kettle River is a 175-mile-long river that flows through Minnesota's Pine and Carlton Counties, then crosses the border into northeastern Minnesota, where it flows through the St. Louis County, Itasca, and Koochiching Counties. The river was named after the Native American word "Gaa-zhiigwanaabikokaag" which means "river abundant with boiling kettles." The river has been used for logging, farming, and transportation in the past. Today, it is a popular spot for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, camping, and hiking. There are several reservoirs/dams, including the Sturgeon Lake Dam and the Big Falls Dam, that serve hydroelectric power and flood control purposes. The river is also used for agricultural irrigation.
Fishing near the Kettle River
About the Kettle River
How is the Kettle River flowing right now?
As of November 2, 2026, the Kettle River is flowing at 288 cfs near Laurier, WA, about 71% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 148 to 288 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Kettle River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Kettle River is at 63% 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 Kettle River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Ferry (18.5 ft), . The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Is the Kettle River runnable for paddling today?
2 of 2 paddle runs are in range right now. Each run in the paddle table is checked against its runnable range using its gauge's live flow.
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.