South Santiam River Flow Today
As of October 5, 2026 at 1:00 AM, the South Santiam River is flowing at 1,320 cfs near Foster, OR — 86% of normal for the date. 3 of 3 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 36 to 1,320 cfs. ❤ Favorite
South Santiam River map
See the South Santiam 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
- Dams & paddle runs — storage and what’s in range
- Rain — past 24 hrs and the 72-hr forecast, press play
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South Santiam 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 Foster, the South Santiam River is running 1,320 cfs — 86% of normal. Along the river, 3 of 3 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 86% of normal).
Paddlers: 0 of 1 runs on the South Santiam River with a live range are in range, 1 too low.
How the South Santiam 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
- Cascadia777 ft 36 cfs66%
- Foster524 ft 1,320 cfs86%
- Waterloo378 ft 1,320 cfs87%
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 Santiam River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (86%).
South Santiam River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Santiam River Below Cascadia OR
Oct 5, 1:00 AM · USGS 14185000 |
36 cfs | 66% | 0% | 1.99 ft | · | 777 ft |
|
South Santiam River Near Foster OR
Oct 5, 1:00 AM · USGS 14187200 |
1,320 cfs | 86% | -1% | 10.57 ft | · | 524 ft |
|
South Santiam River At Waterloo OR
Oct 5, 1:00 AM · USGS 14187500 |
1,320 cfs | 87% | -2% | 3.30 ft | 8.7 ft below | 378 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.
Paddle runs on the South Santiam River
Each run is checked against its runnable range using the gauge it is keyed to (or the nearest gauge on this river).
| Run | Status | Flow now | Runnable range | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sevenmile Creek To Willamette Nf Boundary Gauge: Cascadia |
Too low | 36 cfs | 415–2,195 cfs typical | III–IV |
| Headwaters Of Sevenmile Creek To Confluence With Latiwi Creek Gauge: Cascadia |
No live range | 36 cfs | 51–184 cfs typical | III–IV |
Dams & reservoirs on the South Santiam River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
South Santiam River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
South Santiam River
The South Santiam River is located in the state of Oregon, USA. It is 66 miles in length and is a tributary of the Santiam River. The river has a long history of supporting agricultural communities along its length, such as the Sweet Home area, which was known for its logging and milling industries. The river is also known for its hydroelectric power generation, with several dams and reservoirs along its course. The Green Peter and Foster dams are two of the largest reservoirs on the river, providing water for irrigation and recreation opportunities. Recreational activities such as fishing, camping, and hiking are popular along the South Santiam River, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
About the South Santiam River
How is the South Santiam River flowing right now?
As of October 5, 2026, the South Santiam River is flowing at 1,320 cfs near Foster, OR, about 86% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 36 to 1,320 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the South Santiam River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the South Santiam River is at 86% 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 South Santiam River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Waterloo (12.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Is the South Santiam River runnable for paddling today?
Each run in the paddle table is checked against its runnable range using its gauge's live flow.
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.