South Santiam River

Last Updated: April 19, 2026

Total streamflow across the South Santiam River was last observed at 7,080 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 14,043 acre-ft of water today; about 98% of normal. Average streamflow for this time of year is 7,219 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2019-04-12 when daily discharge volume was observed at 53,930 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the South Santiam River At Waterloo reporting a streamflow rate of 2,990 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the South Santiam River Near Foster with a gauge stage of 11.58 ft. This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the South Santiam River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 777 ft, the South Santiam River Below Cascadia.

The South Santiam River is located in the state of Oregon, USA.


15-Day Long Term Forecast


River Details

Last Updated 2026-04-19
Discharge Volume 14,043 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 7,080.0 cfs
Past 24 Hours: -500.0 cfs (-6.6%)
Percent of Normal 98.08%
Maximum 53,930.0 cfs
2019-04-12
Seasonal Avg 7,219 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
South Santiam River Below Cascadia
USGS 14185000
1170 cfs 4.43 ft -13.73
South Santiam River Near Foster
USGS 14187200
2920 cfs 11.58 ft -28.1
South Santiam River At Waterloo
USGS 14187500
2990 cfs 4.41 ft -25.29
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Santiam River is a tributary of the Willamette River, about 12 miles (19 km) long, in western Oregon in the United States. Through its two principal tributaries, the North Santiam and the South Santiam rivers, it drains a large area of the Cascade Range at the eastern side of the Willamette Valley east of Salem and Corvallis.
The main course of the river is short, formed in the Willamette Valley by the confluence of the North and South Santiam rivers on the border between Linn and Marion counties approximately 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Albany. It flows generally west-northwest in a slow meandering course to join the Willamette from the east approximately 8 miles (13 km) north of Albany.
Both the North and South Santiam rise in high Cascades in eastern Linn County. The Middle Santiam River joins the South Santiam where the South Santiam is impounded to form Foster Lake. The North Santiam is impounded to form the 400-foot (120 m) deep Detroit Lake in the Cascades. The Santiam is a major source of water supply for Salem.
The Great Willamette Flood of 1861, which crested on December 2, destroyed a large number of structures and animals on prairies near its confluence with the Willamette River and south of Knox Butte.Santiam River Zone is staffed by the Santiam Type 2 initial attack hand crew and two engines based out of the Detroit Ranger District. Additionally the Willamette National Forest has fire crews on the Mckenzie and Middle Fork Ranger Districts.