TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE
Total streamflow across the
Payette River
was last observed at
1,800
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
3,570
acre-ft of water today; about 53%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
3,409 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2019-04-10 when daily discharge volume was observed at
68,500 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Payette River Nr Payette Id
reporting a streamflow rate of 960 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Payette River Nr Letha Id
with a gauge stage of 8.11 ft.
This river is monitored from 4 different streamgauging stations along the Payette River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 2,638 ft, the
Payette River Nr Horseshoe Bend Id.
The Payette River is a popular river in Idaho that is approximately 82 miles in length and runs through the Payette National Forest. The river has a long history of providing water for agricultural purposes in the region. It also has several reservoirs and dams, including the Cascade Dam and the Black Canyon Dam, which generate hydroelectric power for the area. The river offers recreational activities such as kayaking, rafting, and fishing for its visitors. The Payette River is considered a Class II-III river, which means it is suitable for intermediate kayakers and rafters. The river is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and provides a beautiful backdrop for camping and hiking in the area.
| Last Updated | 2024-12-21 |
| Discharge Volume | 3,570 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
1,800.0 cfs
0.0 cfs (0.0%) |
| Percent of Normal | 52.8% |
| Maximum |
68,500.0 cfs
2019-04-10 |
| Seasonal Avg | 3,409 cfs |
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Payette River Nr Horseshoe Bend Id
USGS 13247500 |
840 cfs | 2.77 ft | 0 | |||||
|
Payette River Nr Emmett Id
USGS 13249500 |
705 cfs | 1.83 ft | -42.21 | |||||
|
Payette River Nr Letha Id
USGS 13250000 |
780 cfs | 8.11 ft | 8.48 | |||||
|
Payette River Nr Payette Id
USGS 13251000 |
960 cfs | 4.65 ft | 0 |
History of the River
The Payette River is an 82.7-mile-long (133.1 km) river in southwestern Idaho and is a major tributary of the Snake River.
Its headwaters originate in the Sawtooth and Salmon River Mountains at elevations over 10,000 feet (3,000 m). Drainage in the watershed flows primarily from east to west, with the cumulative stream length to the head of the North Fork Payette River being 180 miles (290 km), while to the head of the South Fork the cumulative length is nearly 163 miles (262 km). The combined Payette River flows into an agricultural valley and empties into the Snake River near the city of Payette at an elevation of 2,125 feet (648 m). The Payette River's drainage basin comprises about 3,240 square miles (8,400 km2). It is a physiographic section of the Columbia Plateau province, which in turn is part of the larger Intermontane Plateaus physiographic division. The South Fork of the Payette has its headwaters in the Sawtooth Wilderness, which is part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.