Total streamflow across the
Little Blue River
was last observed at
325
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
644
acre-ft of water today; about 125%
of normal.
River levels are high.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
261 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2015-05-08 when daily discharge volume was observed at
33,285 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Little Blue River Near Fairbury
reporting a streamflow rate of 230 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Little Blue River, with a gauge stage of
7.09 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Little Blue River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,636 ft, the
Little Blue River Near Deweese.
| Last Updated | 2025-12-01 |
| Discharge Volume | 644 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
324.8 cfs
-73.8 cfs (-18.51%) |
| Percent of Normal | 124.65% |
| Maximum |
33,285.0 cfs
2015-05-08 |
| Seasonal Avg | 261 cfs |
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Little Blue River Near Deweese
USGS 06883000 |
40 cfs | 2.17 ft | -1.97 | |||||
|
Little Blue River Near Fairbury
USGS 06884000 |
230 cfs | 7.09 ft | 219.89 | |||||
|
Little Blue River Near Lake City
USGS 06894000 |
39 cfs | 4.5 ft | -7.64 |
The Little Blue River is a 245-mile-long (394 km) river in southern Nebraska and northern Kansas that was used by Pony Express horseback riders. Ridgelines of this historic watershed defined the wagon train routes first used by Oregon Trail emigrants.
The Little Blue rises just south of Minden in Kearney County, Nebraska. It flows east-southeast past Hebron and Fairbury, Nebraska, and Marysville, Kansas. It joins the Big Blue River at Blue Rapids, Kansas.
The waters of Little Blue River, once noted for the namesake blueish tint, were later muddied by silt runoff from plowing. Various other rivers also have the name "Little Blue River".