Patuxent River Flow Today
As of October 5, 2026 at 3:45 AM, the Patuxent River is flowing at 143 cfs near Bowie, MD — 82% of normal for the date and down 16% in 24 hours. 3 of 3 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 13 to 143 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Patuxent River map
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Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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Patuxent 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 Bowie, the Patuxent River is running 143 cfs — 82% of normal, down 16% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 3 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 82% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is rising at Unity (+11%); dropping at Bowie (-16%).
Highest against normal: Brighton at 156%. Lowest: Unity at 77%.
How the Patuxent 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
- Unity383 ft 13 cfs77%
- Brighton310 ft 88 cfs156%
- Bowie20 ft 143 cfs82%
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 Patuxent River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (82%).
Patuxent River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Patuxent River Near Unity MD
Oct 5, 3:55 AM · USGS 01591000 |
13 cfs | 77% | +11% | 2.02 ft | 6.0 ft below | 383 ft |
|
Patuxent River Below Brighton Dam Near Brighton MD
Oct 5, 3:45 AM · USGS 01591610 |
88 cfs | 156% | -2% | 1.91 ft | · | 310 ft |
|
Patuxent River Near Bowie MD
Oct 5, 3:45 AM · USGS 01594440 |
143 cfs | 82% | -16% | 4.39 ft | · | 20 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 Patuxent River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Patuxent River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Patuxent River
The Patuxent River is a 115-mile-long river that flows through central Maryland and empties into the Chesapeake Bay. The river has a rich history, having been used by Native American tribes and European settlers for transportation, trade, and fishing. The river is fed by several smaller streams and is home to numerous species of fish, including largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish. The river is also home to several reservoirs and dams, including the Brighton Dam and the Duckett Dam, which provide drinking water and hydroelectric power to the area. The Patuxent River is a popular destination for recreational activities, including boating, fishing, and hiking. The river is also used for agricultural purposes, with many farms located along its banks.
Fishing near the Patuxent River
About the Patuxent River
How is the Patuxent River flowing right now?
As of October 5, 2026, the Patuxent River is flowing at 143 cfs near Bowie, MD, about 82% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 13 to 143 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Patuxent River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Patuxent River is at 82% 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.
What is flood stage on the Patuxent River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Unity (8.0 ft), . The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
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.