Lower River Flow Today
As of October 16, 2026 at 2:00 AM, the Lower River is flowing at 61 cfs at Dearborn, MI — 125% of normal for the date and up 26% in 24 hours. 1 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days. ❤ Favorite
Lower River map
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Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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Lower 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 Dearborn, the Lower River is running 61 cfs — 125% of normal, up 26% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 125% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is rising at Dearborn (+26%).
How the Lower 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
- Dearborn582 ft 61 cfs125%
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 Lower River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (125%).
Lower River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lower River Rouge At Inkster MI
Last reported Oct 3 · USGS 04168000 |
132 cfs | · | · | 5.74 ft | · | 597 ft |
|
Lower River Rouge At Dearborn MI
Oct 16, 2:00 AM · USGS 04168400 |
61 cfs | 125% | +26% | 3.43 ft | 7.6 ft below | 582 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.
Lower 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).
Lower River
The Lower River is a section of the Mississippi River that stretches from the confluence of the Ohio River in Cairo, Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico. It is approximately 954 miles long and has a rich history, serving as a major trade route for Native American tribes and European explorers. The Lower River is also the site of several important reservoirs and dams, including the Old River Control Structure and the Bonnet Carre Spillway. These structures play a critical role in managing the flow of the river and preventing floods. The Lower River is an important source of water for agricultural irrigation, and it also supports a range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, and bird watching. The river is home to a diverse array of fish species, including catfish, bass, and crappie, making it a popular destination for anglers.
Fishing near the Lower River
About the Lower River
How is the Lower River flowing right now?
As of October 16, 2026, the Lower River is flowing at 61 cfs at Dearborn, MI, about 125% of normal for the date. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Lower River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Lower River is at 125% 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 Lower River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Dearborn (11.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
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.