SNOFLO


       

Payette River







PAYETTE RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
March 11, 2025


TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE

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Total streamflow across the Payette River was last observed at 12,230 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 24,258 acre-ft of water today; about 141% of normal. River levels are high. Average streamflow for this time of year is 8,671 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 3,480 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Payette River Nr Letha Id with a gauge stage of 10.4 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 2025-03-11
Discharge Volume 24,258 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 12,230.0 cfs
+170.0 cfs (+1.41%)
Percent of Normal 141.04%
Maximum 68,500.0 cfs
2019-04-10
Seasonal Avg 8,671 cfs

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

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Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Payette River Nr Horseshoe Bend Id
USGS 13247500
2490 cfs 5.27 ft 5.06
Payette River Nr Emmett Id
USGS 13249500
3180 cfs 4.14 ft -3.05
Payette River Nr Letha Id
USGS 13250000
3080 cfs 10.4 ft 2.33
Payette River Nr Payette Id
USGS 13251000
3480 cfs 6.15 ft 2.35
History of the River
Created with Highcharts 8.0.0Annual Peak Discharge(cfs)2010201220142016201820202022202420264k10k20k40k100k

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.

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