Niobrara River (Nebraska), Sparks (06461500)

StateNebraskaLatestPoor (553 cfs)
RiverNiobrara RiverRatingObservedEstimated
Updated2026-05-29 9:45 (31 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
Discharge553 cfs (median: 864 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
Height2.58 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
TrendSteady (steady 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 It is no longer maintained. The original River Trips application is no longer updated (as of 1 Dec 2016) but can be checked for errors or for the condition of the data before it was converted to the new system.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
2026-05-29 09:45 2.58 553 2670 (2019) 501 (2006) 949 588 633 711 749 864 1070 1110 1300 1670
2026-05-29 08:45 2.58 553 2670 (2019) 501 (2006) 949 588 633 711 749 864 1070 1110 1300 1670
2026-05-29 07:45 2.57 543 2670 (2019) 501 (2006) 949 588 633 711 749 864 1070 1110 1300 1670
2026-05-29 06:45 2.56 534 2670 (2019) 501 (2006) 949 588 633 711 749 864 1070 1110 1300 1670
2026-05-29 05:45 2.57 543 2670 (2019) 501 (2006) 949 588 633 711 749 864 1070 1110 1300 1670
2026-05-29 04:45 2.57 543 2670 (2019) 501 (2006) 949 588 633 711 749 864 1070 1110 1300 1670
2026-05-29 03:45 2.57 543 2670 (2019) 501 (2006) 949 588 633 711 749 864 1070 1110 1300 1670
2026-05-29 02:45 2.56 534 2670 (2019) 501 (2006) 949 588 633 711 749 864 1070 1110 1300 1670
2026-05-29 01:45 2.55 525 2670 (2019) 501 (2006) 949 588 633 711 749 864 1070 1110 1300 1670
2026-05-29 00:45 2.56 534 2670 (2019) 501 (2006) 949 588 633 711 749 864 1070 1110 1300 1670
2026-05-28 23:45 2.56 534 2670 (2019) 501 (2006) 949 588 633 711 749 864 1070 1110 1300 1670
2026-05-28 22:45 2.56 534 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 21:45 2.56 534 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 20:45 2.56 534 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 19:45 2.56 534 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 18:45 2.57 543 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 17:45 2.58 553 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 16:45 2.58 553 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 15:45 2.59 562 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 14:45 2.59 562 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 13:45 2.59 562 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 12:45 2.59 562 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 11:45 2.59 562 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 10:45 2.57 543 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 09:45 2.58 553 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 08:45 2.58 553 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 07:45 2.58 553 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 06:45 2.58 553 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 05:45 2.58 553 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 04:45 2.58 553 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 03:45 2.59 562 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 02:45 2.59 562 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 01:45 2.58 553 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-28 00:45 2.58 553 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830
2026-05-27 23:45 2.57 543 2510 (2019) 508 (2006) 965 566 633 692 729 868 1080 1180 1430 1830

A total of 35 rows are displayed for years 1946 through 2025.