Niobrara River Flow Today
As of October 7, 2026 at 3:45 AM, the Niobrara River is flowing at 955 cfs at Mariaville, NE — 81% of normal for the date and up 6% in 24 hours. 3 of 3 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 598 to 955 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Niobrara River map
See the Niobrara 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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Niobrara 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 Mariaville, the Niobrara River is running 955 cfs — 81% of normal, up 6% since yesterday. Along the river, 3 of 3 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 81% of normal).
Highest against normal: Sparks at 88%. Lowest: Verdel at 39%.
How the Niobrara 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
- Sparks2,295 ft 598 cfs88%
- Mariaville1,798 ft 955 cfs81%
- Verdel1,311 ft 598 cfs39%
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 Niobrara River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (81%).
Niobrara River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Niobrara River Near Sparks NE
Oct 7, 3:45 AM · USGS 06461500 |
598 cfs | 88% | +2% | 2.59 ft | 3.4 ft below | 2,295 ft |
|
Niobrara River At Mariaville NE
Oct 7, 3:45 AM · USGS 06463720 |
955 cfs | 81% | +6% | 3.08 ft | · | 1,798 ft |
|
Niobrara River Near Verdel NE
Oct 7, 4:15 AM · USGS 06465500 |
598 cfs | 39% | +2% | 3.38 ft | 3.6 ft below | 1,311 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 Niobrara 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Boundary Of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument To Eastern Boundary Of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument | No live range | · | 105–315 cfs typical | III–III |
Dams & reservoirs on the Niobrara River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Niobrara River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Niobrara River
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.
About the Niobrara River
How is the Niobrara River flowing right now?
As of October 7, 2026, the Niobrara River is flowing at 955 cfs at Mariaville, NE, about 81% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 598 to 955 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Niobrara River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Niobrara River is at 81% 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 Niobrara River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Sparks (6.0 ft), Verdel (7.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Is the Niobrara 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.