NIOBRARA RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
April 20, 2025


Total streamflow across the Niobrara River was last observed at 2,780 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 5,514 acre-ft of water today; about 49% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 5,669 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 At Mariaville reporting a streamflow rate of 1,510 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Niobrara River Nr. Verdel with a gauge stage of 3.42 ft. 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.

Last Updated 2025-04-20
Discharge Volume 5,514 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 2,780.0 cfs
-1270.0 cfs (-31.36%)
Percent of Normal 49.04%
Maximum 24,630.0 cfs
2020-12-28
Seasonal Avg 5,669 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Niobrara River Near Sparks
USGS 06461500
1270 cfs 3.13 ft -1.55
Niobrara River At Mariaville
USGS 06463720
1510 cfs 3.31 ft 13.53
Niobrara River Nr. Verdel
USGS 06465500
1180 cfs 3.42 ft -17.48
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge

Weather Forecast

Streamflow Elevation Profile

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.