Middle Loup River near Gates water level
River gauge, Middle Loup River, Nebraska, United States
Right now
Low for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 942 cfs
History
20252026
What this means
Low water at Middle Loup River near Gates: the gauge reads 4.71 ft, below normal for mid-October.
That puts it 0.08 ft below the median of 4.79 ft for mid-October, based on 9 years of readings. It is 5.29 ft below the flood stage of 10.00 ft. A year ago it stood at 4.77 ft (−0.06 ft).
The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. Without real rain upstream, that is unlikely to change quickly. The 30-day range is 3.30 ft – 4.87 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, and it usually takes a few days of steady rain to change that.
Compared with 9 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 4.79 ft0.08 ft below the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 4.66 ft – 4.92 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (9 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 4.77 ft−0.06 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 3.30 ft – 4.87 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 4.15 ft – 6.29 ft
- Highest on record
- 8.16 ftMarch 13, 2019
Paddling and fishing conditions
At low levels, plan for shorter paddling trips and expect to walk your boat through a few shoals.
For reference, flood stage is 10.00 ft.
What happens at each level
- 15.00 ft
- Major Flood Stage. Significant and widespread flooding of agricultural land along the Middle Loup River. Water may approach homes close to the river. Flood waters reach the bottom of the bridge.
- 13.00 ft
- Moderate Flood Stage. Widespread flooding of agricultural land along the Middle Loup River. Septic system may be affected at a home upstream along the south side of the river.
- 10.00 ft
- Minor Flood Stage. Minor flooding of agricultural land along the Middle Loup River.
- 8.00 ft
- Action Stage. Low lying areas along the Middle Loup River may begin to flood.
- 4.71 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.16 ft | March 13, 2019 |
| 2 | 7.29 ft | February 16, 2021 |
| 3 | 6.88 ft | January 4, 2018 |
| 4 | 6.86 ft | December 29, 2022 |
| 5 | 5.65 ft | October 1, 2017 |
| 6 | 5.49 ft | August 26, 2019 |
| 7 | 5.40 ft | July 26, 2020 |
| 8 | 5.25 ft | August 16, 2017 |
| 9 | 5.23 ft | September 30, 2021 |
| 10 | 5.18 ft | May 8, 2022 |
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 at DunningRiver gauge, Middle Loup River | 2.99 ft | Very low | +0.08 ft | 27 mi |
| Middle Loup River at Saint PaulRiver gauge, Middle Loup River | 1.96 ft | Normal | −0.06 ft | 69 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Loup River at TaylorRiver gauge, North Loup River | 2.95 ft | Very low | +0.03 ft | 15 mi |
| North Loup River at BrewsterRiver gauge, North Loup River | 2.84 ft | Very low | −0.02 ft | 22 mi |
| Calamus Reservoir and Virginia SmithReservoir | 2,234.43 ft | Normal | 24 mi | |
| South Loup River at Pressey WMA near OcontoRiver gauge, South Loup River | 0.62 ft | Normal | +0.05 ft | 33 mi |
| South Loup River at ArnoldRiver gauge, South Loup River | 4.43 ft | Normal | −0.03 ft | 34 mi |
Questions and answers
How does the Middle Loup River near Gates compare with last year?
It is 0.06 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 4.77 ft.
What is flood stage for the Middle Loup River near Gates?
The official flood stage is 10.00 ft. The level is currently 5.29 ft below it.
What is a normal level for the Middle Loup River near Gates in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 4.79 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 4.66 ft and 4.92 ft, based on 9 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 near Gates today?
On Oct 18, 2026, 04:15 PM CDT, the water level was 4.71 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is Middle Loup River near Gates rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Steady over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Middle Loup River near Gates normal?
Low for mid-October. Compared with 9 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:06777495(Agency page)- Coordinates
41.66318, -99.63571(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 | 4.71 ft | 2026-10-18 21:15 | Provisional |
| Flow | 942 cfs | 2026-10-18 21:15 | Provisional |
Download
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Middle Loup River near Gates (usgs:06777495). Accessed October 18, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/nebraska/middle-loup-river-near-gates
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