Nehalem River Flow Today
As of November 1, 2026 at 12:15 AM, the Nehalem River is flowing at 307 cfs near Foss, OR — 45% of normal for the date and down 23% in 24 hours. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 12 to 307 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Nehalem River map
See the Nehalem 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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Nehalem 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 Foss, the Nehalem River is running 307 cfs — 45% of normal, down 23% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 41% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Foss (-23%) and Vernonia (-21%).
Paddlers: 0 of 2 runs on the Nehalem River with a live range are in range, 2 too low.
How the Nehalem 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
- Vernonia681 ft 12 cfs37%
- Foss40 ft 307 cfs45%
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 Nehalem River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (41%).
Nehalem River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nehalem River Near Vernonia OR
Nov 1, 1:05 AM · USGS 14299800 |
12 cfs | 37% | -21% | 3.94 ft | 8.1 ft below | 681 ft |
|
Nehalem River Near Foss OR
Nov 1, 12:15 AM · USGS 14301000 |
307 cfs | 45% | -23% | 2.22 ft | 12.8 ft below | 40 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 Nehalem River
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilches River Gauge: Foss |
Too low | 307 cfs | 1,500–5,000 cfs | III–IV |
| Nehalem River Gauge: Foss |
Too low | 307 cfs | 1,951–5,128 cfs typical | II–III |
Nehalem River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Nehalem River
The Nehalem River is a 119-mile-long river located in northwestern Oregon, USA. It is known for its pristine waters and rich salmon habitat. Historically, the river was used by Native American tribes for fishing and transportation. Today, the river is an important source of irrigation for agricultural lands and provides water for local communities. The river is also home to several dams and reservoirs, including the Vernonia Reservoir, which was built in the 1950s for flood control and water storage. Recreation is also popular along the Nehalem River, with opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and hiking. The river and its surrounding watershed are protected by various conservation efforts to maintain water quality and support biodiversity.
Fishing near the Nehalem River
About the Nehalem River
How is the Nehalem River flowing right now?
As of November 1, 2026, the Nehalem River is flowing at 307 cfs near Foss, OR, about 45% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 12 to 307 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Nehalem River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Nehalem River is at 41% 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 Nehalem River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Vernonia (12.0 ft), Foss (15.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Is the Nehalem River runnable for paddling today?
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.