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SNAKE RIVER

River Levels • Streamflow • Hydrology

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Total streamflow across the Snake River was last observed at 39,583 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 78,512 acre-ft of water today; about 44% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 90,818 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2011-05-27 when daily discharge volume was observed at 763,301 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Snake River Near Anatone reporting a streamflow rate of 14,700 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Snake River At Hells Canyon Dam Id-Or State Line with a gauge stage of 63.42 ft. This river is monitored from 27 different streamgauging stations along the Snake River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 9,326 ft, the Snake River Near Montezuma.

The Snake River is a major river in the United States, stretching over 1,000 miles from Wyoming to Washington, and is a tributary of the Columbia River. The river has a storied history, serving as a vital transportation route for Native Americans and later European settlers. Today, the river is heavily utilized for hydroelectric power, with several large dams and reservoirs along its length, such as the Hells Canyon Dam and the Jackson Lake Dam. These dams have transformed the river into a major source of energy for the region, but have also had significant impacts on the river's ecology and the surrounding landscapes. Additionally, the Snake River and its reservoirs are popular recreational destinations, offering activities such as fishing, boating, and camping. The river also plays a critical role in the region's agricultural sector, providing irrigation for crops and supporting the livelihoods of many farmers and ranchers.

December 21, 2024

Last Updated	2024-12-21
Discharge Volume	78,512 ACRE-FT
Streamflow	39,583.0 cfs +10364.0 cfs (+35.47%)
Percent of Normal	43.58%
Maximum	763,301.0 cfs 2011-05-27
Seasonal Avg	90,818 cfs

History of the River

The Snake River is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest region in the United States. At 1,078 miles (1,735 km) long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, in turn the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean. The Snake River rises in western Wyoming, then flows through the Snake River Plain of southern Idaho, the rugged Hells Canyon on the Oregon–Idaho border and the rolling Palouse Hills of Washington, emptying into the Columbia River at the Tri-Cities, Washington.
The Snake River drainage basin encompasses parts of six U.S. states and is known for its varied geologic history. The Snake River Plain was created by a volcanic hotspot which now lies underneath the Snake River headwaters in Yellowstone National Park. Gigantic glacial-retreat flooding episodes that occurred during the previous Ice Age carved out canyons, cliffs and waterfalls along the middle and lower Snake River. Two of these catastrophic flooding events, the Missoula Floods and Bonneville Flood, significantly affected the river and its surroundings.
Prehistoric Native Americans lived along the Snake starting more than 11,000 years ago. Salmon from the Pacific Ocean spawned by the millions in the river, and were a vital resource for people living on the Snake downstream of Shoshone Falls. By the time Lewis and Clark explored the area, the Nez Perce and Shoshone were the dominant Native American groups in the region. Later explorers and fur trappers further changed and used the resources of the Snake River basin. At one point, sign language used by the Shoshones representing weaving baskets was misinterpreted to represent a snake, giving the Snake River its name.By the middle 19th century, the Oregon Trail had become well established, bringing numerous settlers to the Snake River region. Steamboats and railroads moved agricultural products and minerals along the river throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Starting in the 1890s, fifteen major dams have been built on the Snake River to generate hydroelectricity, enhance navigation, and provide irrigation water. However, these dams blocked salmon migration above Hells Canyon and have led to water quality and environmental issues in certain parts of the river. The removal of several dams on the lower Snake River has been proposed, in order to restore some of the river's once-tremendous salmon runs.