TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE
Total streamflow across the
North Santiam River
was last observed at
13,260
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
26,301
acre-ft of water today; about 78%
of normal.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
16,959 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2022-05-08 when daily discharge volume was observed at
50,900 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
North Santiam River Near Jefferson
reporting a streamflow rate of 5,640 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the North Santiam River, with a gauge stage of
17.69 ft at this location.
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.
The North Santiam River is a 92-mile river located in western Oregon, United States. The river was originally used by Native Americans for fishing and trading purposes. The river flows through the Cascade Range and is fed by numerous tributaries. The river has two major reservoirs, Detroit Lake and Big Cliff Reservoir, both of which were built in the mid-20th century for hydroelectric power generation and flood control. The North Santiam River is also used for recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The river is home to a variety of fish species, including Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, and rainbow trout. The surrounding agricultural land is irrigated with water from the river, making it an important resource for the local farming communities.
| Last Updated | 2024-12-25 |
| Discharge Volume | 26,301 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
13,260.0 cfs
+610.0 cfs (+4.82%) |
| Percent of Normal | 78.19% |
| Maximum |
50,900.0 cfs
2022-05-08 |
| Seasonal Avg | 16,959 cfs |
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
North Santiam River At Niagara
USGS 14181500 |
2230 cfs | 3.95 ft | -26.89 | |||||
|
North Santiam River At Mehama
USGS 14183000 |
5390 cfs | 5.73 ft | 13.24 | |||||
|
North Santiam River Near Jefferson
USGS 14184100 |
5640 cfs | 17.69 ft | 16.53 |
History of the River
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.