South Santiam River River Levels
River flows across 3 streamgages of the South Santiam River
Last Updated:
November 6, 2025
Total streamflow across the
South Santiam River
was last observed at
7,191
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
14,263
acre-ft of water today; about 121%
of normal.
River levels are high.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
5,950 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 Near Foster
reporting a streamflow rate of 3,340 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the South Santiam River, with a gauge stage of
11.8 ft at this location.
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.
| Last Updated | 2025-11-06 |
| Discharge Volume | 14,263 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
7,191.0 cfs
+370.0 cfs (+5.42%) |
| Percent of Normal | 120.86% |
| Maximum |
53,930.0 cfs
2019-04-12 |
| Seasonal Avg | 5,950 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 |
631 cfs | 3.75 ft | 109.63 | |||||
|
South Santiam River Near Foster
USGS 14187200 |
3340 cfs | 11.8 ft | 1.83 | |||||
|
South Santiam River At Waterloo
USGS 14187500 |
3220 cfs | 4.54 ft | -0.62 |
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.
Sevenmile Creek To Willamette Nf Boundary