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River report

South Kawishiwi River Flow Today

As of November 11, 2026 at 1:30 AM, the South Kawishiwi River is flowing at 1,070 cfs near Ely, MN — 580% of normal for the date and up 2% in 24 hours. ❤ Favorite

USGS gauges
1 1 reporting · upstream → down
South Kawishiwi River Near Ely: 580% of normal
Typical gauge
580% of normal for the date
0%normal200%
Biggest flow now
1,070cfs Ely
Updated
Nov 11, 1:30 AM
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South Kawishiwi River map

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River briefing · Nov 11, 2026

South Kawishiwi 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 Ely, the South Kawishiwi River is running 1,070 cfs — 580% of normal, up 2% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 580% of normal).

Headwaters to mouth

How the South Kawishiwi 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. Ely1,427 ft 1,070 cfs580%

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 South Kawishiwi River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (580%).

Typical gauge 580%
0%50%100% · normal150%200%+
Much below normal0Below normal0Near normal0Above normal0Much above normal1

South Kawishiwi River flow report

1 gauge
Streamgage Streamflow % of normal 24h Gage height Elevation
South Kawishiwi River Near Ely MN
Nov 11, 1:30 AM · USGS 05125000
1,070 cfs 580% +2% 4.20 ft 1,427 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

South Kawishiwi 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

South Kawishiwi River

The South Kawishiwi River is a 30-mile river located in northern Minnesota, United States. Historically, the river was used for logging and transportation of timber. The river is fed by several smaller tributaries and flows into Fall Lake, which is part of the larger chain of lakes in the northeastern part of the state. The river is not dammed but is controlled by a series of gates and dams to regulate water levels. The area surrounding the river is known for its abundant wildlife and scenic beauty, making it a popular destination for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and camping. The river also supports several agricultural uses, including farming and ranching. The South Kawishiwi River is an important resource for the local community and a significant part of Minnesota's natural heritage.

Around the river

Fishing near the South Kawishiwi River

FAQ

About the South Kawishiwi River

How is the South Kawishiwi River flowing right now?

As of November 11, 2026, the South Kawishiwi River is flowing at 1,070 cfs near Ely, MN, about 580% of normal for the date. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.

Is the South Kawishiwi River running high or low?

The typical gauge on the South Kawishiwi River is at 580% 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.

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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