Live float conditions for 28 North Dakota rivers
Every river below is monitored through its USGS streamflow gauges, refreshed every 15 minutes and rated in plain language for kayak, canoe, raft and tube. Select a river for the live dashboard with current flow, trend, weather and community reports.
Missouri River
Missouri River is a big-water river in the Missouri Mainstem region. Flows are dam-influenced — levels can jump with releases, so check the live gauge (and the generation schedule where posted) right before you launch. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Missouri River At Bismarck, Nd gauge runs roughly 13,000–34,000 cfs. Rafts want at least ~16,500 cfs. Big, trafficked water — not a tubing river. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Missouri Mainstem · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Rafting · USGS gauges: Missouri River At Bismarck, Nd
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Red River of the North
Red River of the North is a mid-sized river in the Red River Valley region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Red River Of The North At Wahpeton, Nd gauge runs roughly 240–1,600 cfs. Rafts want at least ~370 cfs. Tubing is best 170–1,100 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Red River Valley · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing, Rafting · USGS gauges: Red River Of The North At Wahpeton, Nd, Red River Of The North At Fargo, Nd, Red River Of The North At Grand Forks, Nd, Red River Of The North At Drayton, Nd
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Little Missouri River
Little Missouri River is a small creek in the Badlands region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Little Missouri River At Marmarth, Nd gauge runs roughly 70–160 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 50–70 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Badlands · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Little Missouri River At Marmarth, Nd, Little Missouri River At Medora, Nd, Little Missouri River Near Watford City, Nd
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Sheyenne River
Sheyenne River is a small creek in the Red River Valley region. Flows are dam-influenced — levels can jump with releases, so check the live gauge (and the generation schedule where posted) right before you launch. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Sheyenne River Near Warwick, Nd gauge runs roughly 80–210 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 55–80 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Red River Valley · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Sheyenne River Near Warwick, Nd, Sheyenne River Below Baldhill Dam, Nd, Sheyenne River At Valley City, Nd, Sheyenne River At Lisbon, Nd
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James River
James River is a small creek in the James Basin region. Flows are dam-influenced — levels can jump with releases, so check the live gauge (and the generation schedule where posted) right before you launch. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the James River Nr Grace City, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–65 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: James Basin · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: James River Nr Grace City, Nd, James River At Jamestown, Nd, James River At Lamoure, Nd, James River At Nd-Sd State Line
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Souris River
Souris River is a small creek in the Souris (Mouse) Basin region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Souris River Near Sherwood, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–440 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Souris (Mouse) Basin · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Souris River Near Sherwood, Nd, Souris River Near Foxholm, Nd, Souris River Above Minot, Nd, Souris River Near Verendrye, Nd
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Heart River
Heart River is a small creek in the Missouri Tributaries region. Flows are dam-influenced — levels can jump with releases, so check the live gauge (and the generation schedule where posted) right before you launch. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Heart River Near Richardton, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–45 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Missouri Tributaries · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Heart River Near Richardton, Nd, Heart River At Stark Bridge Near Judson, Nd, Heart River Near Mandan, Nd
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Knife River
Knife River is a small creek in the Missouri Tributaries region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Knife River At Manning, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Missouri Tributaries · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Knife River At Manning, Nd, Knife River Near Golden Valley, Nd, Knife River Near Beulah, Nd, Knife River At Hazen, Nd
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Pembina River
Pembina River is a small creek in the Northeast / Pembina region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Pembina River At Walhalla, Nd gauge runs roughly 120–420 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 85–120 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Northeast / Pembina · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Pembina River At Walhalla, Nd, Pembina River At Neche, Nd
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Cannonball River
Cannonball River is a small creek in the Missouri Tributaries region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Cannonball River At Regent, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Missouri Tributaries · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Cannonball River At Regent, Nd, Cannonball River Near Raleigh, Nd, Cannonball River At Breien, Nd, Cannonball River At Solen, Nd
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Wild Rice River
Wild Rice River is a small creek in the Red River Valley region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Wild Rice River Near Rutland, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–340 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Red River Valley · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Wild Rice River Near Rutland, Nd, Wild Rice River Near Mantador, Nd, Wild Rice River Near Abercrombie, Nd, Wild Rice River Near St Benedict, Nd
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Pipestem Creek
Pipestem Creek is a small creek in the James Basin region. Flows are dam-influenced — levels can jump with releases, so check the live gauge (and the generation schedule where posted) right before you launch. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Pipestem Creek Near Pingree, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–190 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: James Basin · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Pipestem Creek Near Pingree, Nd, Pipestem Creek Near Buchanan, Nd
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Turtle River
Turtle River is a small creek in the Northeast / Pembina region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Turtle River At Turtle R State Park Nr Arvilla, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Northeast / Pembina · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Turtle River At Turtle R State Park Nr Arvilla, Nd
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Des Lacs River
Des Lacs River is a small creek in the Souris (Mouse) Basin region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Des Lacs River Near Kenmare, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Souris (Mouse) Basin · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Des Lacs River Near Kenmare, Nd, Des Lacs River At Foxholm, Nd
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Goose River
Goose River is a small creek in the Red River Valley region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Goose River Near Portland, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–110 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Red River Valley · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Goose River Near Portland, Nd, Goose River At Hillsboro, Nd
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Park River
Park River is a small creek in the Northeast / Pembina region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Park River At Grafton, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–90 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Northeast / Pembina · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Park River At Grafton, Nd
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Maple River
Maple River is a small creek in the Red River Valley region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Maple River Near Enderlin, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Red River Valley · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Maple River Near Enderlin, Nd, Maple River Near Mapleton, Nd, Maple River Below Mapleton, Nd
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Forest River
Forest River is a small creek in the Northeast / Pembina region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Forest River Near Fordville, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Northeast / Pembina · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Forest River Near Fordville, Nd, Forest River At Minto, Nd
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Little Muddy River
Little Muddy River is a small creek in the Missouri Tributaries region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Little Muddy River Bl Cow Creek Nr Williston, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Missouri Tributaries · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Little Muddy River Bl Cow Creek Nr Williston, Nd
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Baldhill Creek
Baldhill Creek is a small creek in the Red River Valley region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Baldhill Creek Near Dazey, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Red River Valley · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Baldhill Creek Near Dazey, Nd
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Cedar Creek
Cedar Creek is a small creek in the Missouri Tributaries region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Cedar Creek Near Haynes, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Missouri Tributaries · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Cedar Creek Near Haynes, Nd, Cedar Creek Near Raleigh, Nd
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Apple Creek
Apple Creek is a small creek in the Missouri Tributaries region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Apple Creek Near Menoken, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Missouri Tributaries · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Apple Creek Near Menoken, Nd
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White Earth River
White Earth River is a small creek in the Missouri Tributaries region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the White Earth River At White Earth, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Missouri Tributaries · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: White Earth River At White Earth, Nd, White Earth River Above Mouth Near Manitou, Nd
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Tongue River
Tongue River is a small creek in the Northeast / Pembina region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Tongue River At Akra, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Northeast / Pembina · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Tongue River At Akra, Nd
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Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek is a small creek in the Missouri Tributaries region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Beaver Creek Below Linton, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–65 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Missouri Tributaries · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Beaver Creek Below Linton, Nd
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Deep River
Deep River is a small creek in the Souris (Mouse) Basin region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Deep River Near Upham, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Souris (Mouse) Basin · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Deep River Near Upham, Nd
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Wintering River
Wintering River is a small creek in the Souris (Mouse) Basin region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Wintering River Near Karlsruhe, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–55 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Souris (Mouse) Basin · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Wintering River Near Karlsruhe, Nd
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Willow Creek
Willow Creek is a small creek in the Souris (Mouse) Basin region. For kayaks and canoes the good float band at the Willow Creek Near Willow City, Nd gauge runs roughly 40–13,500 cfs. It's generally too small to raft. Tubing is best 30–40 cfs on warm days. Bands are estimated from long-term USGS flow percentiles — verify with local outfitters and American Whitewater before you commit.
Region: Souris (Mouse) Basin · Best for: Kayak & Canoe, Tubing · USGS gauges: Willow Creek Near Willow City, Nd
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