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River report

Pawtuxet River Flow Today

As of October 3, 2026 at 3:45 AM, the Pawtuxet River is flowing at 366 cfs at Cranston, RI — 377% of normal for the date and down 22% in 24 hours. ❤ Favorite

USGS gauges
1 1 reporting · upstream → down
Pawtuxet River At Cranston: 377% of normal
Typical gauge
377% of normal for the date
0%normal200%
Biggest flow now
366cfs Cranston
Updated
Oct 3, 3:45 AM
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River briefing · Oct 3, 2026

Pawtuxet 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 Cranston, the Pawtuxet River is running 366 cfs — 377% of normal, down 22% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 377% of normal).

In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Cranston (-22%).

Headwaters to mouth

How the Pawtuxet 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

  1. Cranston13 ft 366 cfs377%

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 Pawtuxet River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (377%).

Typical gauge 377%
0%50%100% · normal150%200%+
Much below normal0Below normal0Near normal0Above normal0Much above normal1

Pawtuxet River flow report

1 gauge
Streamgage Streamflow % of normal 24h Gage height To flood stage Elevation
Pawtuxet River At Cranston RI
Oct 3, 3:45 AM · USGS 01116500
366 cfs 377% -22% 4.90 ft 4.1 ft below 13 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.

History

Pawtuxet River streamflow over time

Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river (this total last updated earlier; the live gauge readings above are current).

About this river

Pawtuxet River

The Pawtuxet River spans 40 miles through Rhode Island, originating in the Scituate Reservoir and flowing into Narragansett Bay. The river played an important role in the state's early history, serving as a source of power for gristmills and factories during the industrial revolution. Today, it is still utilized for hydroelectric power, with several dams and reservoirs along its length. The most prominent of these is the Pawtuxet Village Dam, which creates a picturesque waterfall in the heart of the village. The river also supports recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and hiking along its scenic banks. Additionally, it is a vital source of irrigation for local farmers, providing water for crops and livestock. The Pawtuxet River remains an essential part of the fabric of Rhode Island's natural and cultural heritage.

Around the river

Fishing near the Pawtuxet River

FAQ

About the Pawtuxet River

How is the Pawtuxet River flowing right now?

As of October 3, 2026, the Pawtuxet River is flowing at 366 cfs at Cranston, RI, about 377% of normal for the date. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.

Is the Pawtuxet River running high or low?

The typical gauge on the Pawtuxet River is at 377% 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 Pawtuxet River?

The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Cranston (9.0 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.

More river levels

Rivers in Rhode Island