Otter Tail River Flow Today
As of October 15, 2026 at 2:15 AM, the Otter Tail River is flowing at 260 cfs near Fergus Falls, MN — 72% of normal for the date and up 2% in 24 hours. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 238 to 260 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Otter Tail River map
See the Otter Tail 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
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Otter Tail 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 Fergus Falls, the Otter Tail River is running 260 cfs — 72% of normal, up 2% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 2 reporting gauges are near normal (the typical gauge is at 83% of normal).
How the Otter Tail 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
- Elizabeth1,272 ft 238 cfs94%
- Fergus Falls1,032 ft 260 cfs72%
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 Otter Tail River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (83%).
Otter Tail River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth MN
Oct 15, 2:00 AM · USGS 05030500 |
238 cfs | 94% | -7% | 5.25 ft | 1,272 ft |
|
Otter Tail River Below Orwell D Near Fergus Falls MN
Oct 15, 2:15 AM · USGS 05046000 |
260 cfs | 72% | +2% | 2.48 ft | 1,032 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.
Dams & reservoirs on the Otter Tail River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Otter Tail River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Otter Tail River
The Otter Tail River is a 192-mile-long river located in northwest Minnesota. It is a part of the Red River watershed and flows into the Red River of the North. The river's name originates from the shape of its delta, which looks like an otter's tail. Historically, the river was used by Native American tribes for fishing and transportation. Today, it is used for agriculture and recreation, with several reservoirs and dams along its length for flood control and power generation. These include the Orwell Dam, Fergus Falls Dam, and Breckenridge Dam. The river is popular for fishing and canoeing, and it is home to a variety of fish species, including walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass.
Fishing near the Otter Tail River
About the Otter Tail River
How is the Otter Tail River flowing right now?
As of October 15, 2026, the Otter Tail River is flowing at 260 cfs near Fergus Falls, MN, about 72% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 238 to 260 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Otter Tail River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Otter Tail River is at 83% 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.
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.