TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE
Total streamflow across the
Meramec River
was last observed at
5,994
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
11,888
acre-ft of water today; about 116%
of normal.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
5,181 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2015-12-30 when daily discharge volume was observed at
227,910 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Meramec River Near Eureka
reporting a streamflow rate of 2,600 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Meramec River Near Sullivan
with a gauge stage of 4.68 ft.
This river is monitored from 5 different streamgauging stations along the Meramec River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 877 ft, the
Meramec River At Cook Station.
The Meramec River is a 218-mile-long tributary of the Mississippi River that flows through eastern Missouri. The river has played a significant role in the history of the region, serving as a transportation route for Native Americans and early settlers. The river has also been the site of several notable floods, including the devastating floods of 1993 and 2015. The river's hydrology is influenced by numerous tributaries, including the Bourbeuse and Big Rivers. The Meramec River is home to several reservoirs and dams, including the Meramec State Park Dam and the Fenton City Park Dam. These structures serve a variety of purposes, including flood control and hydroelectric power generation. The river is popular for recreational activities, including fishing, canoeing, and camping, and also supports a thriving agricultural industry.
| Last Updated | 2024-12-25 |
| Discharge Volume | 11,888 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
5,993.6 cfs
-557.4 cfs (-8.51%) |
| Percent of Normal | 115.68% |
| Maximum |
227,910.0 cfs
2015-12-30 |
| Seasonal Avg | 5,181 cfs |
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Meramec River At Cook Station
USGS 07010350 |
99 cfs | 3.38 ft | -6.1 | |||||
|
Meramec River Near Steelville
USGS 07013000 |
405 cfs | 2.7 ft | -7.95 | |||||
|
Meramec River Near Sullivan
USGS 07014500 |
880 cfs | 4.68 ft | -6.98 | |||||
|
Meramec River At Pacific
USGS 07017020 |
2010 cfs | 0.53 ft | -9.87 | |||||
|
Meramec River Near Eureka
USGS 07019000 |
2600 cfs | 4.64 ft | -8.13 |
History of the River
The Meramec River (), sometimes spelled Maramec River is one of the longest free-flowing waterways in the U.S. state of Missouri, draining 3,980 square miles (10,300 km2) while wandering 218 miles (351 km) from headwaters near Salem to where it empties into the Mississippi River near St. Louis at Arnold and Oakville. The Meramec watershed covers
six Missouri Ozark Highland counties—Dent, Phelps, Crawford, Franklin, Jefferson, and St. Louis—and portions of eight others—Maries, Gasconade, Iron, Washington, Reynolds, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, and Texas. Between its source and its mouth, it falls 1,025 feet (312 m). Year-round navigability begins above Maramec Spring, just south of St. James. The Meramec's size increases at the confluence of the Dry Fork, and its navigability continues until the river enters the Mississippi at Arnold, Missouri.