Niobrara River (Nebraska), Sparks (06461500)

StateNebraskaLatestPoor (488 cfs)
RiverNiobrara RiverRatingObservedEstimated
Updated2026-07-29 8:45 (59 minutes ago)Flood - The river is flooding. Obstacles can be treacherous or deadly. The river should be avoided at this stage for casual trips and definitely for the inexperienced. Trips should be attempted only with protective gear and equipment.Flood(none)1327
Discharge488 cfs (median: 589 cfs)High - The river is high and potentially dangerous, especially for the young and / or inexperienced. Normal stream obstacles are sometimes difficult to navigate. Extended distances can be attempted, but canoe travel may not be advisable.High(none)896
Height2.55 feetGood - Conditions are ideal for a canoe or kayak. Boats typically will drag on fewer than one-quarter of riffles, if at all, and portages are unnecessary or rare. Normal float lengths can be attempted without a problem.Good(none)792
TrendRising (falling over 24 hours)Low - River is low but can still be floated. Some riffles are okay but most come with significant dragging and might need a portage. Float lengths should be reduced to accommodate low flow, dragging, and portages.Low(none)612
USGSExternal icon USGS Site (External icon Duck Duck Go Maps)Poor - River is too low to float comfortably. Most or all riffles will drag or must be portaged and some obstacles (such as slick shelf rock) cause undue problems. Avoid the river at this stage for casual paddling trips.Poor(none)431

Trending Data

Plot Image

Trips for Niobrara River (Nebraska), Sparks (06461500)

DateStartEndDistanceConditionDischargeHeightFishingDetails

A total of 0 rows are displayed.

Condition Descriptions

Fishing Conditions

Fish Species

Notes

Classic Trip List

The classic River Trips application is still available for use. It is updated with the new system using a data retrofit. It is no longer maintained. The original River Trips application is no longer updated (as of 1 Dec 2016) but can be checked for errors or for the condition of the data before it was converted to the new system.

Gauge Data Table

ObservationHeightDischargeMaximum
Discharge
Minimum
Discharge
Mean
Discharge
P05P10P20P25P50
(Median)
P75P80P90P95
2026-07-29 08:45 2.55 488 1900 (1951) 339 (2012) 611 377 434 472 482 589 685 726 802 868
2026-07-29 07:45 2.54 479 1900 (1951) 339 (2012) 611 377 434 472 482 589 685 726 802 868
2026-07-29 06:45 2.53 470 1900 (1951) 339 (2012) 611 377 434 472 482 589 685 726 802 868
2026-07-29 05:45 2.54 479 1900 (1951) 339 (2012) 611 377 434 472 482 589 685 726 802 868
2026-07-29 04:45 2.55 488 1900 (1951) 339 (2012) 611 377 434 472 482 589 685 726 802 868
2026-07-29 03:45 2.56 497 1900 (1951) 339 (2012) 611 377 434 472 482 589 685 726 802 868
2026-07-29 02:45 2.55 488 1900 (1951) 339 (2012) 611 377 434 472 482 589 685 726 802 868
2026-07-29 01:45 2.55 488 1900 (1951) 339 (2012) 611 377 434 472 482 589 685 726 802 868
2026-07-29 00:45 2.55 488 1900 (1951) 339 (2012) 611 377 434 472 482 589 685 726 802 868
2026-07-28 23:45 2.57 506 1900 (1951) 339 (2012) 611 377 434 472 482 589 685 726 802 868
2026-07-28 22:45 2.56 497 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 21:45 2.56 497 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 20:45 2.57 506 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 19:45 2.57 506 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 18:45 2.58 515 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 17:45 2.60 534 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 16:45 2.60 534 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 15:45 2.62 553 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 14:45 2.61 543 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 13:45 2.62 553 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 12:45 2.64 572 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 11:45 2.64 572 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 10:45 2.65 582 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 09:45 2.67 601 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 08:45 2.67 601 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 07:45 2.68 611 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 06:45 2.66 591 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 05:45 2.66 591 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 04:45 2.65 582 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 03:45 2.68 611 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 02:45 2.70 631 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 01:45 2.72 651 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-28 00:45 2.70 631 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869
2026-07-27 23:45 2.68 611 986 (1965) 335 (2012) 590 389 407 467 488 571 689 705 768 869

A total of 34 rows are displayed for years 1946 through 2025.