Summary
Total streamflow across the
North Santiam River
was last observed at
12,420
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
24,635
acre-ft of water today; about 89%
of normal.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
13,930 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2025-12-19 when daily discharge volume was observed at
63,000 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
North Santiam River At Mehama
reporting a streamflow rate of 4,880 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
North Santiam River Near Jefferson
with a gauge stage of 17 ft.
This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the North Santiam River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,103 ft, the
North Santiam River At Niagara.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2026-01-11 |
| Discharge Volume | 24,635 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
12,420.0 cfs
-340.0 cfs (-2.66%) |
| Percent of Normal | 89.16% |
| Maximum |
63,000.0 cfs
2025-12-19 |
| Seasonal Avg | 13,930 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
North Santiam River At Niagara
USGS 14181500 |
3120 cfs | 4.57 ft | 1.3 | |||||
|
North Santiam River At Mehama
USGS 14183000 |
4880 cfs | 5.45 ft | -3.17 | |||||
|
North Santiam River Near Jefferson
USGS 14184100 |
4420 cfs | 17 ft | -4.74 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The North Santiam River is a 92-mile (148 km) tributary of the Santiam River in western Oregon in the United States. It drains 766 square miles (1,980 km2) of the Cascade Range on the eastern side of the Willamette Valley east of Salem.It rises in the high Cascades in eastern Linn county, northwest of Three Fingered Jack in the Willamette National Forest. It flows north through the mountains past Marion Forks, receiving the drainage from the western slope of Mount Jefferson. Near Mount Jefferson it turns sharply west, descending through a canyon past Idanha and Detroit to Niagara County Park where the valley begins to widen and some agriculture use begins. Continuing west, the river flows past Gates, Mill City and Mehama. It emerges through the foothills into the Willamette Valley near Stayton, then flows 15 miles (24 km) southwest through the valley where it joins the South Santiam River to form the Santiam River. The confluence is approximately 10 miles (16 km) east of the confluence of the Santiam and the Willamette River.
It is impounded by Detroit Dam in the mountains west of Detroit to form Detroit Lake for flood control. Detroit Lake State Park is along the northern shore of the lake.
In the 19th century, the canyon of the North Santiam River provided a formidable obstacle to settlers. The construction of a railroad in 1887 opened up the canyon to settlement and logging of the surrounding mountains.
Confluence With North Fork Breitenbush River To Detroit Reservoir
Highway 22 To Confluence With Rainbow Creek
North Santiam River
Opal Lake To Confluence With Battle Axe Creek
Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Breitenbush River
Packsaddle County Park to Mill City