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SwedenSouth Loup River at Arnold water level
River gauge, South Loup River, Nebraska, United States
Right now
Normal for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 22.5 cfs
History
20252026
What this means
The South Loup River at Arnold is at 4.37 ft, in the normal range for mid-October.
The median for mid-October is 4.43 ft, based on 16 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.06 ft below typical. It is 3.63 ft below the flood stage of 8.00 ft. On the same day last year the reading was 5.08 ft, a difference of −0.71 ft.
It has barely moved over the past 24 hours. In the last month it has stayed between 4.24 ft and 4.55 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns.
Compared with 16 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 4.43 ft0.06 ft below the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 4.23 ft – 4.78 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (16 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 5.08 ft−0.71 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 4.24 ft – 4.55 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 4.02 ft – 4.93 ft
- Highest on record
- 9.92 ftMarch 13, 2019
Floating and fishing near South Loup River at Arnold
Normal flows mean predictable rapids and good access at most put-ins.
Flood stage here is 8.00 ft, 3.63 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.
What happens at each level
- 12.00 ft
- Major flood stage. Widespread and significant flooding along the South Loup River. Most of Old Mill Park and the road into Old Mill Park will be flooded. Without protection, homes along the river may begin to experience impacts.
- 10.00 ft
- Flooding may occur in portions of Old Mill Park closest to the tennis courts.
- 9.50 ft
- Moderate flood stage. Water spreads out significantly along the lower banks. Some flooding is possible on the west side of Arnold, upstream from Old Mill Park. Widespread flooding of agricultural land.
- 8.00 ft
- At 8.0 feet, minor flooding occurs along the South Loup River, mainly west of Arnold.
- 4.37 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9.92 ft | March 13, 2019 |
| 2 | 9.14 ft | June 13, 2010 |
| 3 | 9.12 ft | August 16, 2017 |
| 4 | 8.15 ft | May 19, 2018 |
| 5 | 7.95 ft | June 19, 2014 |
| 6 | 6.92 ft | June 20, 2011 |
| 7 | 6.68 ft | June 9, 2020 |
| 8 | 6.66 ft | July 26, 2015 |
| 9 | 6.62 ft | May 1, 2016 |
| 10 | 6.37 ft | March 20, 2021 |
Weather at the gauge
Rain in the last 3 days: 0.15 in. Rain that falls upstream can take hours or days to show up at a river gauge.
Forecast: Open-Meteo
Map
Other gauges on the South Loup River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Loup River at Pressey WMA near OcontoRiver gauge, South Loup River | 0.62 ft | Normal | +0.01 ft | 30 mi |
| South Loup River at Saint MichaelRiver gauge, South Loup River | 2.45 ft | Below flood stage | +0.01 ft | 81 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Loup River at DunningRiver gauge, Middle Loup River | 3.01 ft | Very low | −0.03 ft | 29 mi |
| Dismal River near ThedfordRiver gauge, Dismal River | 1.52 ft | Normal | −0.01 ft | 30 mi |
| Middle Loup River near GatesRiver gauge, Middle Loup River | 4.69 ft | Low | −0.02 ft | 34 mi |
| North Loup River at BrewsterRiver gauge, North Loup River | 2.83 ft | Very low | −0.03 ft | 40 mi |
Questions and answers
Is the South Loup River at Arnold higher than last year?
No, it is 0.71 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 5.08 ft.
What is flood stage for the South Loup River at Arnold?
The official flood stage is 8.00 ft. The level is currently 3.63 ft below it.
What is a normal level for the South Loup River at Arnold in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 4.43 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 4.23 ft and 4.78 ft, based on 16 years of records.
Is gage height the same as water depth?
No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.
What is the water level of South Loup River at Arnold today?
On Oct 19, 2026, 06:45 AM CDT, the water level was 4.37 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is South Loup River at Arnold rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Up 0.07 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of South Loup River at Arnold normal?
Normal for mid-October. Compared with 16 years of daily readings for this time of year.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:06781600(Agency page)- Coordinates
41.42278, -100.20338(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NAVD88
- Update interval
- every 15 minutes
- Licence
- Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision
Published series
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | 4.37 ft | 2026-10-19 11:45 | Provisional |
| Flow | 22.5 cfs | 2026-10-19 11:45 | Provisional |
Download
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: South Loup River at Arnold (usgs:06781600). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/nebraska/south-loup-river-at-arnold
How we check values
Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.
Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer