Straight River

Total streamflow across the Straight River was last observed at 306 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 606 acre-ft of water today; about 45% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 676 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2016-09-23 when daily discharge volume was observed at 9,526 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Straight River Near Faribault reporting a streamflow rate of 260 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Straight River, with a gauge stage of 4.52 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Straight River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,411 ft, the Straight River Near Park Rapids.

The river gets its name from its relatively straight course. It has a rich history, serving as a major transportation route for Native Americans and early settlers. The river's hydrology has been affected by agricultural land use and urbanization. The Faribault Dam was built in 1902 to generate hydroelectric power, and the Cannon River Reservoir was created in 1965 to provide flood control. The river is popular for recreational activities such as fishing, canoeing, and hiking. It also supports agricultural uses such as irrigation, livestock watering, and crop irrigation.