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2025-12-22T17:00:00-07:00

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North Santiam River River Levels

Last Updated: December 22, 2025

The North Santiam River is a 92-mile river located in western Oregon, United States.


Summary

Total streamflow across the North Santiam River was last observed at 28,090 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 55,716 acre-ft of water today; about 172% of normal. River levels are high. Average streamflow for this time of year is 16,355 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 10,700 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the North Santiam River Near Jefferson with a gauge stage of 19.84 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 2025-12-22
Discharge Volume 55,716 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 28,090.0 cfs
-2130.0 cfs (-7.05%)
Percent of Normal 171.75%
Maximum 63,000.0 cfs
2025-12-19
Seasonal Avg 16,355 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
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Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
North Santiam River At Niagara
USGS 14181500 		6990 cfs 6.45 ft 1.01
North Santiam River At Mehama
USGS 14183000 		10700 cfs 7.5 ft -5.31
North Santiam River Near Jefferson
USGS 14184100 		10400 cfs 19.84 ft -13.33
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
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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.

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River Runs