Patuxent River River Levels

Last Updated: January 22, 2026

The Patuxent River is a 115-mile-long river that flows through central Maryland and empties into the Chesapeake Bay.



15-Day Weather Outlook


Summary

Total streamflow across the Patuxent River was last observed at 135 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 267 acre-ft of water today; about 28% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 475 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2014-05-01 when daily discharge volume was observed at 14,260 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Patuxent River Near Bowie reporting a streamflow rate of 112 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Patuxent River, with a gauge stage of 4.27 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Patuxent River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 383 ft, the Patuxent River Near Unity.

River Details

Last Updated 2026-01-22
Discharge Volume 267 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 134.5 cfs
-17.0 cfs (-11.22%)
Percent of Normal 28.33%
Maximum 14,260.0 cfs
2014-05-01
Seasonal Avg 475 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Patuxent River Near Unity
USGS 01591000
13 cfs 2.04 ft -17.76
Patuxent River Below Brighton Dam Near Brighton
USGS 01591610
23 cfs 1.43 ft 0
Patuxent River Near Bowie
USGS 01594440
112 cfs 4.27 ft -13.18
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Patuxent River is a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay in the state of Maryland. There are three main river drainages for central Maryland: the Potomac River to the west passing through Washington, D.C., the Patapsco River to the northeast passing through Baltimore, and the Patuxent River between the two. The 908-square-mile (2,352 km2) Patuxent watershed had a rapidly growing population of 590,769 in 2000. It is the largest and longest river entirely within Maryland, and its watershed is the largest completely within the state.