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River report

Sand Hill River Flow Today

As of November 12, 2026 at 1:45 AM, the Sand Hill River is flowing at 52 cfs at Climax, MN — 163% of normal for the date and down 14% in 24 hours. ❤ Favorite

USGS gauges
1 1 reporting · upstream → down
Sand Hill River At Climax: 163% of normal
Typical gauge
163% of normal for the date
0%normal200%
Biggest flow now
52cfs Climax
Updated
Nov 12, 1:45 AM
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Sand Hill River map

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River briefing · Nov 12, 2026

Sand Hill 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 Climax, the Sand Hill River is running 52 cfs — 163% of normal, down 14% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 163% of normal).

In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Climax (-14%).

Headwaters to mouth

How the Sand Hill 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

  1. Climax829 ft 52 cfs163%

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 Sand Hill River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (163%).

Typical gauge 163%
0%50%100% · normal150%200%+
Much below normal0Below normal0Near normal0Above normal0Much above normal1

Sand Hill River flow report

1 gauge
Streamgage Streamflow % of normal 24h Gage height To flood stage Elevation
Sand Hill River At Climax MN
Nov 12, 1:45 AM · USGS 05069000
52 cfs 163% -14% 4.70 ft 15.3 ft below 829 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.

History

Sand Hill River streamflow over time

Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river (this total last updated earlier; the live gauge readings above are current).

About this river

Sand Hill River

Sand Hill River is a 161-mile-long river that flows through northwest Minnesota and North Dakota. Historically, it was a significant source of water for the region's Native American population. The river is mainly fed by groundwater and is relatively shallow. The river is home to several reservoirs, including the Lake Bronson Dam, which provides flood control and recreational opportunities. The Sand Hill River watershed is used primarily for agricultural purposes, including crop cultivation and livestock grazing. Recreational activities on the river include fishing, boating, and camping. The river is also home to several species of fish, including walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch. Additionally, the river provides a habitat for several species of birds and wildlife.

Around the river

Fishing near the Sand Hill River

FAQ

About the Sand Hill River

How is the Sand Hill River flowing right now?

As of November 12, 2026, the Sand Hill River is flowing at 52 cfs at Climax, MN, about 163% of normal for the date. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.

Is the Sand Hill River running high or low?

The typical gauge on the Sand Hill River is at 163% 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 Sand Hill River?

The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Climax (20.0 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.

More river levels

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