Pearl River River Levels

Last Updated: January 18, 2026

The Pearl River is a major river system in the southeastern United States.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Pearl River was last observed at 20,663 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 40,985 acre-ft of water today; about 30% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 67,766 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2020-02-22 when daily discharge volume was observed at 382,590 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Pearl River Near Bogalusa reporting a streamflow rate of 7,430 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Pearl River, with a gauge stage of 12.12 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 9 different streamgauging stations along the Pearl River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 382 ft, the Pearl River At Burnside.

River Details

Last Updated 2026-01-18
Discharge Volume 40,985 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 20,663.0 cfs
-3538.0 cfs (-14.62%)
Percent of Normal 30.49%
Maximum 382,590.0 cfs
2020-02-22
Seasonal Avg 67,766 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Pearl River At Burnside
USGS 02481880
1070 cfs 8.03 ft -12.3
Pearl River At Edinburg
USGS 02482000
490 cfs 6.36 ft -0.41
Pearl River Nr Lena
USGS 02483500
972 cfs 6.35 ft -3.76
Pearl River Nr Carthage
USGS 02482550
551 cfs 6.69 ft 4.16
Pearl River At Jackson
USGS 02486000
1080 cfs 5.7 ft -12.2
Pearl River Nr Rockport
USGS 02488000
2130 cfs 8.65 ft -33.23
Pearl River Nr Monticello
USGS 02488500
2740 cfs 8.02 ft -25.34
Pearl River Nr Columbia
USGS 02489000
5270 cfs 4.42 ft -14.59
Pearl River Near Bogalusa
USGS 02489500
7430 cfs 12.12 ft -6.07
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Pearl River Delta Metropolitan Region (PRD, Chinese: 珠江三角洲城市圈; pinyin: Zhūjiāng Sānjiǎozhōu Chéngshìquān) is the low-lying area surrounding the Pearl River estuary, where the Pearl River flows into the South China Sea. It is one of the most densely urbanized regions in the world, and is often considered as a megacity. It is now the wealthiest region in South China and one of the wealthiest in the whole of China along with Yangtze River Delta in East China and Jingjinji in North China. The region's economy is referred to as Pearl River Delta Economic Zone, it is also part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.
The PRD is a megalopolis, with future development into a single mega metropolitan area, yet itself is at the southern end of a larger megalopolis running along the southern coast of China, which include metropolises such as Chaoshan, Zhangzhou-Xiamen, Quanzhou-Putian and Fuzhou. The nine largest cities of the PRD had a combined population of 57.15 million at the end of 2013, comprising 53.69% of the provincial population. According to the World Bank Group, the PRD has become the largest urban area in the world in both size and population.The west side of this region, along with Chaoshan, was also the source of much Chinese emigration from the 19th to the mid 20th centuries, including to the Western world, where they formed many Chinatowns. Today, much of the Chinese diaspora in the US, Canada, Australia, Latin America, and much of Southeast Asia traces their ancestry to the west side of this region. Its dominant language is Cantonese.