Middle Loup River at Dunning water level
River gauge, Middle Loup River, Nebraska, United States
Right now
Very low for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 511 cfs
History
20252026
What this means
The Middle Loup River at Dunning is running far below normal at 2.98 ft.
That puts it 0.25 ft below the median of 3.23 ft for mid-October, based on 18 years of readings. It is 3.52 ft below the flood stage of 6.50 ft. A year ago it stood at 3.13 ft (−0.15 ft).
The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. Without real rain upstream, that is unlikely to change quickly. In the last month it has stayed between 2.88 ft and 3.18 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, and it usually takes a few days of steady rain to change that.
Compared with 18 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 3.23 ft0.25 ft below the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 3.13 ft – 3.32 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (18 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 3.13 ft−0.15 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 2.88 ft – 3.18 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 2.90 ft – 3.23 ft
- Highest on record
- 7.35 ftFebruary 20, 2025
Floating and fishing near Middle Loup River at Dunning
Low water exposes gravel bars that make good wading access, but some boat ramps may be left high and dry.
Flood stage here is 6.50 ft, 3.52 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.
What happens at each level
- 8.50 ft
- Major and widespread flooding along the Middle Loup River. Water will approach outbuildings and homes. Roads along the river may be inundated.
- 7.50 ft
- Flood waters approach properties along the Middle Loup River with flooding of corrals and outbuildings possible.
- 6.50 ft
- Minor flooding along the Middle Loup River impacting agricultural land.
- 6.00 ft
- Lowland flooding along the Middle Loup River.
- 2.98 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7.35 ft | February 20, 2025 |
| 2 | 5.88 ft | February 17, 2019 |
| 3 | 5.73 ft | February 17, 2021 |
| 4 | 5.54 ft | January 17, 2018 |
| 5 | 5.12 ft | December 28, 2022 |
| 6 | 3.87 ft | July 27, 2018 |
| 7 | 3.86 ft | May 28, 2019 |
| 8 | 3.78 ft | June 9, 2020 |
| 9 | 3.75 ft | August 16, 2017 |
| 10 | 3.67 ft | May 30, 2023 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Other gauges on the Middle Loup River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Loup River near GatesRiver gauge, Middle Loup River | 4.72 ft | Low | +0.03 ft | 27 mi |
| Middle Loup River at Saint PaulRiver gauge, Middle Loup River | 2.00 ft | Normal | −0.05 ft | 96 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Loup River at BrewsterRiver gauge, North Loup River | 2.86 ft | Low | −0.01 ft | 15 mi |
| Dismal River near ThedfordRiver gauge, Dismal River | 1.54 ft | Normal | +0.01 ft | 22 mi |
| South Loup River at ArnoldRiver gauge, South Loup River | 4.44 ft | Normal | ±0 | 29 mi |
| North Loup River at TaylorRiver gauge, North Loup River | 2.94 ft | Very low | −0.02 ft | 37 mi |
Questions and answers
How does the Middle Loup River at Dunning compare with last year?
It is 0.15 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 3.13 ft.
What is flood stage for the Middle Loup River at Dunning?
The official flood stage is 6.50 ft. The level is currently 3.52 ft below it.
What is a normal level for the Middle Loup River at Dunning in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 3.23 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 3.13 ft and 3.32 ft, based on 18 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 Middle Loup River at Dunning today?
On Oct 18, 2026, 12:45 PM CDT, the water level was 2.98 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is Middle Loup River at Dunning rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Down 0.08 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Middle Loup River at Dunning normal?
Very low for mid-October. Compared with 18 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:06775500(Agency page)- Coordinates
41.83110, -100.10087(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 | 2.98 ft | 2026-10-18 17:45 | Provisional |
| Flow | 511 cfs | 2026-10-18 17:45 | Provisional |
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Middle Loup River at Dunning (usgs:06775500). Accessed October 18, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/nebraska/middle-loup-river-at-dunning
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