Total streamflow across the
Little Blue River
was last observed at
311
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
617
acre-ft of water today; about 52%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
599 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 Lake City
reporting a streamflow rate of 164 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Little Blue River Near Fairbury
with a gauge stage of 7.03 ft.
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 | 2025-05-02 |
Discharge Volume | 617 ACRE-FT |
Streamflow |
311.3 cfs
-64.6 cfs (-17.19%) |
Percent of Normal | 51.96% |
Maximum |
33,285.0 cfs
2015-05-08 |
Seasonal Avg | 599 cfs |
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".