Republican River

Total streamflow across the Republican River was last observed at 359 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 712 acre-ft of water today; about 19% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 1,906 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2019-07-11 when daily discharge volume was observed at 45,935 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Republican R Bl Milford Dam reporting a streamflow rate of 74.1 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Republican R At Clay Center with a gauge stage of 6.96 ft. This river is monitored from 11 different streamgauging stations along the Republican River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 2,981 ft, the Republican River At Benkelman.

The river is named after the Republican Indians who inhabited the area before the arrival of European settlers. The river's hydrology has been significantly altered by human activities over the years, including the construction of several dams and reservoirs. Some of the major reservoirs on the Republican River include Harlan County Lake, Lovewell Reservoir, and Milford Lake. These reservoirs provide important water resources for irrigation and recreation in the region. Additionally, the river has played an important role in the agricultural history of the Great Plains, providing water for crops and livestock. Despite facing numerous challenges, the Republican River remains an important natural resource for the communities that depend on it.