Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
reporting a streamflow rate of cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Upper River, with a gauge stage of
ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 1 different streamgauging stations along the Upper River, the highest being situated at an altitude of ft, the
.
About the upper river
The Upper River refers to the portion of the Mississippi River that runs from its headwaters in Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the confluence with the Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois. This 629-mile-long stretch of river has significant historical and cultural importance, serving as a vital transportation route for Native American tribes, European explorers, and early American settlers.
The hydrology of the Upper River is influenced by a number of large reservoirs and dams, including the Lake Winnibigoshish Dam, the Gull Lake Dam, and the Sartell Dam. These structures provide important hydroelectric power and flood control measures, but have also impacted the river's natural ecology and disrupted fish migrations.
Recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and camping are popular along the Upper River, and the river also supports a thriving agricultural industry. However, nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff has led to water quality problems and algal blooms in some portions of the river.