Root River Flow Today
As of October 23, 2026 at 2:45 AM, the Root River is flowing at 871 cfs near Houston, MN — 126% of normal for the date and down 4% in 24 hours. 6 of 6 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 4.7 to 871 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Root River map
See the Root River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
- Gauges now — which reaches are high or low
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Root River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Houston, the Root River is running 871 cfs — 126% of normal, down 4% since yesterday. Along the river, 4 of 6 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 160% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Franklin (-80%) and Racine (-10%).
Highest against normal: Franklin at 381%. Lowest: Franklin at 23%.
How the Root River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Pilot Mound855 ft 454 cfs195%
- Greenfield720 ft 4.7 cfs102%
- Franklin693 ft 17 cfs381%
- Franklin678 ft 9.6 cfs23%
- Houston670 ft 871 cfs126%
- Racine644 ft 74 cfs229%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Root River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (160%).
Root River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Root River Near Pilot Mound MN
Oct 23, 2:00 AM · USGS 05383950 |
454 cfs | 195% | -6% | 8.50 ft | 10.5 ft below | 855 ft |
|
Root River At Grange Avenue At Greenfield WI
Oct 23, 2:00 AM · USGS 04087214 |
4.7 cfs | 102% | -5% | 10.81 ft | · | 720 ft |
|
Root River Canal Near Franklin WI
Oct 23, 2:00 AM · USGS 04087233 |
17 cfs | 381% | -2% | 2.45 ft | · | 693 ft |
|
Root River Near Franklin WI
Oct 23, 2:00 AM · USGS 04087220 |
9.6 cfs | 23% | -80% | 2.21 ft | · | 678 ft |
|
Root River Near Houston MN
Oct 23, 2:45 AM · USGS 05385000 |
871 cfs | 126% | -4% | 3.98 ft | 11.0 ft below | 670 ft |
|
Root River At Racine WI
Oct 23, 2:00 AM · USGS 04087240 |
74 cfs | 229% | -10% | 2.72 ft | · | 644 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Dams & reservoirs on the Root River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Root River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Root River
The Root River is a 80-mile-long river in southeastern Minnesota that runs through the Root River Valley. It has played an important role in the state's history, serving as a transportation route for people and goods. The river is fed by numerous tributaries and has a drainage area of about 1,800 square miles. The river's hydrology has been affected by human activities and development, leading to issues such as erosion and pollution. Specific reservoirs and dams along the river include the Forestville Dam, the Lanesboro Dam, and the Lake Byllesby Dam. The river is popular for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. Agricultural uses include irrigation and livestock grazing. Efforts have been made to restore and protect the river's ecosystem through various conservation initiatives.
Fishing near the Root River
About the Root River
How is the Root River flowing right now?
As of October 23, 2026, the Root River is flowing at 871 cfs near Houston, MN, about 126% of normal for the date. Across its 6 USGS gauges, current flows range from 4.7 to 871 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Root River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Root River is at 160% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
What is flood stage on the Root River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Pilot Mound (19.0 ft), Houston (15.0 ft), . The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.