Summary
Total streamflow across the
Patuxent River
was last observed at
172
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
340
acre-ft of water today; about 31%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
548 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 127 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Patuxent River, with a gauge stage of
4.4 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 | 2026-01-01 |
| Discharge Volume | 340 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
171.6 cfs
-2.9 cfs (-1.66%) |
| Percent of Normal | 31.3% |
| Maximum |
14,260.0 cfs
2014-05-01 |
| Seasonal Avg | 548 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 | 2.05 ft | 0 | |||||
|
Patuxent River Below Brighton Dam Near Brighton
USGS 01591610 |
32 cfs | 1.54 ft | -2.76 | |||||
|
Patuxent River Near Bowie
USGS 01594440 |
127 cfs | 4.4 ft | -1.55 |
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.