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Niobrara River near Sparks water level

River gauge, Niobrara River, Nebraska, United States

Directions

Normal for mid-October

Water level

2.66ft Steady over the last 24 hours

Flow
668 cfs
Water temperature
50 °F
5 10 Highest onrecord 12.17 ft Minor floodstage 6.00 ft

History

2.62.83.03.2ftOct 13Oct 14Oct 16Oct 17Oct 192.62.83.03.2ftOct 13Oct 16Oct 19
2.52.83.0ftSep 20Sep 27Oct 4Oct 12Oct 192.52.83.0ftSep 20Oct 4Oct 19
2468ftOct 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026Jul 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage2468ftOct 2025Apr 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage
2468ftJanMarMayJulSepNov20262468ftJanAprJulOct2026

20252026

Water level Normal range (10–90 %) Minor flood stage

What this means

Water levels are unremarkable at Niobrara River near Sparks, where the gauge shows 2.66 ft.

That puts it 0.04 ft below the median of 2.70 ft for mid-October, based on 18 years of readings. It is 3.34 ft below the flood stage of 6.00 ft. A year ago it stood at 2.94 ft (−0.28 ft).

The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. The 30-day range is 2.54 ft – 2.79 ft.

Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns. The sensor also reports a water temperature of 50 °F.

Compared with 18 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date
2.70 ft0.04 ft below the median for this date
Normal for this date
2.55 ft – 3.15 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (18 years of records)
Same day last year
2.94 ft−0.28 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days
2.54 ft – 2.79 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months
2.52 ft – 3.30 ft
Highest on record
12.17 ftFebruary 5, 2014

Paddling and fishing conditions

Most paddlers and anglers will find the river in good shape at this stage.

For reference, flood stage is 6.00 ft.

What happens at each level

16.00 ft
Major flood stage with significant flooding along the river. Several homes and cabins along the river may be flooded.
12.00 ft
Moderate flood stage. Moderate flooding is possible. Cabins and businesses along the river may be impacted by rising water levels.
8.00 ft
Smith falls campground may begin to flood as well as parking areas along the river.
7.00 ft
Minor flooding along the left bank downstream from Berry Bridge to Smith Falls Campground.
6.00 ft
Flood stage. Minor flooding along the lower banks.
5.50 ft
Minor flooding of lowland directly along the river. Recreational intrest's along and on the river may be impacted.
2.66 ft
Right now

Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.

Highest crests on record

Chance of at least minor flooding in October to December: < 5 %.

RankLevelDate
112.17 ftFebruary 5, 2014
210.31 ftFebruary 21, 2018
310.06 ftFebruary 7, 1973
49.23 ftFebruary 7, 1994
58.90 ftJanuary 17, 2005
68.70 ftDecember 24, 1996
78.15 ftFebruary 5, 1984
88.12 ftFebruary 10, 1996
98.10 ftFebruary 18, 1993
107.53 ftJanuary 22, 1986

Weather at the gauge

The forecast is not available right now.

Sunrise 08:00 AM Sunset 06:54 PM Daylight 10 hr, 54 min First quarter 60%

Map

Other gauges on the Niobrara River

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Niobrara River at MariavilleRiver gauge, Niobrara River 3.16 ft Normal −0.04 ft 53 mi
Niobrara River near VerdelRiver gauge, Niobrara River 3.35 ft Normal +0.05 ft 109 mi
Niobrara River below Soldier Cr near NiobraraRiver gauge, Niobrara River 8.19 ft No reference yet +0.05 ft 115 mi
Niobrara River at NiobraraRiver gauge, Niobrara River 32.04 ft High +0.04 ft 117 mi

Nearby gauges

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Niobrara R at Cornell Bridge near ValentineRiver gauge, Niobrara R 8.63 ft No reference yet +0.01 ft 6.1 mi
Niobrara R at Borman Bridge near ValentineRiver gauge, Niobrara R 18.74 ft No reference yet +0.05 ft 9 mi
Keya Paha River near KeyapahaRiver gauge, Keya Paha River 4.48 ft Below flood stage ±0 20 mi
Rock Creek near Hidden TimberRiver gauge, Rock Creek 3.55 ft Below flood stage −0.01 ft 21 mi
Antelope Creek near MissionRiver gauge, Antelope Creek 1.40 ft Below flood stage −0.02 ft 30 mi
Keya Paha River at WewelaRiver gauge, Keya Paha River 2.18 ft Below flood stage ±0 31 mi
Merritt ReservoirReservoir 2,942.65 ft High 32 mi
Long Pine Creek near RiverviewRiver gauge, Long Pine Creek 1.79 ft Low +0.02 ft 38 mi

Questions and answers

How does the Niobrara River near Sparks compare with last year?

It is 0.28 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 2.94 ft.

What is flood stage for the Niobrara River near Sparks?

The official flood stage is 6.00 ft. The level is currently 3.34 ft below it.

What is a normal level for the Niobrara River near Sparks in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is 2.70 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 2.55 ft and 3.15 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 Niobrara River near Sparks today?

On Oct 19, 2026, 10:45 AM CDT, the water level was 2.66 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.

Is Niobrara River near Sparks rising or falling?

Steady over the last 24 hours. Up 0.08 ft over the last 7 days.

Is the level of Niobrara River near Sparks normal?

Normal 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:06461500 (Agency page)
Coordinates
42.90208, -100.36253 (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

ParameterLast valueTime (UTC)Quality
Water level 2.66 ft 2026-10-19 15:45 Provisional
Flow 668 cfs 2026-10-19 15:45 Provisional
Water temperature 50 °F 2026-10-19 15:45 Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: Niobrara River near Sparks (usgs:06461500). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/nebraska/niobrara-river-near-sparks

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