NIOBRARA RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
December 25, 2024
42.59, -103.95


TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE

Total streamflow across the Niobrara River was last observed at 2,241 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 4,445 acre-ft of water today; about 41% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 5,464 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2020-12-28 when daily discharge volume was observed at 24,630 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Niobrara River Nr. Verdel reporting a streamflow rate of 6,880 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Niobrara River, with a gauge stage of 3.98 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Niobrara River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 2,295 ft, the Niobrara River Near Sparks.

The Niobrara River is a 570-mile-long river that runs through the central United States, starting in Wyoming and ending in Nebraska. The river has a rich history and was once used by Native American tribes for transportation and as a source of food. Today, the river is primarily used for recreation, including canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, and is home to several state parks and wildlife refuges.

The Niobrara River is fed by several tributaries and has several reservoirs and dams, including the Merritt Reservoir and the Spencer Dam. These reservoirs provide water for irrigation and hydroelectric power.

The river is also important to agriculture, with many farmers using its water for irrigation. However, the use of the river's water for agriculture has led to conflicts with recreational users and concerns about water quality. Despite these challenges, the Niobrara River remains a vital resource for the communities and ecosystems that rely on it.

Last Updated 2024-12-25
Discharge Volume 4,445 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 2,241.0 cfs
-33.0 cfs (-1.45%)
Percent of Normal 41.01%
Maximum 24,630.0 cfs
2020-12-28
Seasonal Avg 5,464 cfs

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Niobrara River Near Sparks
USGS 06461500
941 cfs 2.91 ft -2.39
Niobrara River At Mariaville
USGS 06463720
1300 cfs 3.24 ft -0.76
Niobrara River Nr. Verdel
USGS 06465500
6880 cfs 3.98 ft 7
History of the River

The Niobrara River (; Omaha-Ponca: Ní Ubthátha khe, pronounced [nĩꜜ ubɫᶞaꜜɫᶞa kʰe], literally "water spread-out horizontal-the" or "The Wide-Spreading Water") is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 568 miles (914 km) long, running through the U.S. states of Wyoming and Nebraska. The river drains one of the most arid sections of the Great Plains, and has a low flow for a river of its length. The Niobrara's watershed includes the northern tier of Nebraska Sandhills, a small south-central section of South Dakota, as well as a small area of eastern Wyoming.

       

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