Patuxent River River Levels

Last Updated: February 12, 2026

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


Summary

Total streamflow across the Patuxent River was last observed at 200 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 396 acre-ft of water today; about 45% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 444 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 165 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Patuxent River, with a gauge stage of 4.62 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.




15-Day Weather Outlook


River Details

Last Updated 2026-02-11
Discharge Volume 396 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 199.9 cfs
-4.0 cfs (-1.96%)
Percent of Normal 44.97%
Maximum 14,260.0 cfs
2014-05-01
Seasonal Avg 444 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Patuxent River Near Unity
USGS 01591000
14 cfs 2.07 ft -12.1
Patuxent River Below Brighton Dam Near Brighton
USGS 01591610
67 cfs 1.81 ft 0
Patuxent River Near Bowie
USGS 01594440
165 cfs 4.62 ft -2.92
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.