Vermillion River Flow Today
As of October 14, 2026 at 10:30 PM, the Vermillion River is flowing at 22 cfs near Vermillion Sd, SD — 33% of normal for the date and up 3% in 24 hours. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 17 to 22 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Vermillion River map
See the Vermillion 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
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Vermillion 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 Vermillion Sd, the Vermillion River is running 22 cfs — 33% of normal, up 3% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 33% of normal).
How the Vermillion 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
- Vermillion Sd1,137 ft 22 cfs33%
- Empire863 ft 17 cfs34%
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 Vermillion River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (33%).
Vermillion River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Vermillion River Near Vermillion Sd SD
Oct 14, 10:30 PM · USGS 06479010 |
22 cfs | 33% | +3% | 1.56 ft | 19.4 ft below | 1,137 ft |
|
Vermillion River Near Empire MN
Oct 15, 2:15 AM · USGS 05345000 |
17 cfs | 34% | -5% | 1.73 ft | · | 863 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.
Dams & reservoirs on the Vermillion River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Vermillion River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Vermillion River
The Vermillion River is a tributary of the Mississippi River that flows through Minnesota and South Dakota. The river has a rich history of supporting Native American communities and early European settlers, who used it for transportation and fishing. The river spans a length of 107 miles and has a drainage area of 1,070 square miles. The hydrology of the river is heavily impacted by agricultural practices and urbanization. The Xcel Energy hydroelectric dam and reservoir at the Red Wing Dam is the largest reservoir on the river and provides power to the surrounding area. Recreational activities on the Vermillion River include fishing, kayaking, and tubing. The river also supports agricultural activities such as irrigation and livestock grazing.
Fishing near the Vermillion River
About the Vermillion River
How is the Vermillion River flowing right now?
As of October 14, 2026, the Vermillion River is flowing at 22 cfs near Vermillion Sd, SD, about 33% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 17 to 22 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Vermillion River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Vermillion River is at 33% 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 Vermillion River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Vermillion Sd (21.0 ft), . The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
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.