Piscataquis River

Last Updated: April 14, 2026

Total streamflow across the Piscataquis River was last observed at 7,603 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 15,080 acre-ft of water today; about 63% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 12,034 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2023-12-19 when daily discharge volume was observed at 56,790 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Piscataquis River At Medford reporting a streamflow rate of 5,170 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Piscataquis River At Blanchard with a gauge stage of 6.1 ft. This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Piscataquis River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 592 ft, the Piscataquis River At Blanchard.

Get the latest River Levels, Streamflow, and Hydrology for Piscataquis River in River flows across 3 streamgages of the Piscataquis River


15-Day Long Term Forecast


River Details

Last Updated 2026-04-14
Discharge Volume 15,080 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 7,603.0 cfs
Past 24 Hours: +2461.0 cfs (+47.86%)
Percent of Normal 63.18%
Maximum 56,790.0 cfs
2023-12-19
Seasonal Avg 12,034 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Piscataquis River At Blanchard
USGS 01031300
703 cfs 6.1 ft 60.87
Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft
USGS 01031500
1730 cfs 4.69 ft 79.27
Piscataquis River At Medford
USGS 01034000
5170 cfs 5.23 ft 38.24
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Piscataquis River is a major tributary of the Penobscot River, found in Piscataquis County, Maine, United States. It starts from the confluence of its East Branch and West Branch (45°16′54″N 69°35′24″W) in Blanchard. The river flows in a mostly eastern direction until it meets the Penobscot at Howland. It is approximately 65 miles (105 km) in length.The United States government maintains three river flow gauges on the Piscataquis river. The first is at Blanchard (45°16′02″N 69°35′03″W) where the rivershed is 118 square miles (306 km2). Flow here has ranged from 7,550 to 4.8 cubic feet per second (0.14 m3/s). The second is near Dover-Foxcroft, Maine (45°10′31″N 69°18′55″W) where the rivershed is 298 square miles (772 km2). Flow here has ranged from 37,300 to 5 cubic feet (0.14 m3) per second. The third is in Medford, Maine (45°15′40″N 68°52′07″W) where the rivershed is 1,162 square miles (3,010 km2). Flow here has ranged from 60,100 to 66 cubic feet (1.9 m3) per second.The Appalachian Trail runs along the West Branch of the Piscataquis, crossing the East Branch just upstream from their joining. The river is impounded by the Howland Dam at its confluence with the Penobscot River.