North Loup River at Brewster water level
River gauge, North Loup River, Nebraska, United States
Right now
Low for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 430 cfs
History
20252026
What this means
At 2.87 ft, the North Loup River at Brewster is below normal for mid-October.
The median for mid-October is 2.94 ft, based on 16 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.06 ft below typical. It is 2.63 ft below the flood stage of 5.50 ft. On the same day last year the reading was 3.04 ft, a difference of −0.17 ft.
It has barely moved over the past 24 hours. Without real rain upstream, that is unlikely to change quickly. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 2.84 ft and 3.08 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, and it usually takes a few days of steady rain to change that.
Compared with 16 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 2.94 ft0.06 ft below the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 2.85 ft – 3.11 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (16 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 3.04 ft−0.17 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 2.84 ft – 3.08 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 2.73 ft – 4.04 ft
- Highest on record
- 5.33 ftFebruary 4, 2015
What the stage means on the water
Low water means more dragging on shallow riffles and slower floats. Fish crowd into the deeper runs, and warm, low water stresses them, so play and release them quickly.
The National Weather Service puts flood stage for this gauge at 5.50 ft, still 2.63 ft away.
What happens at each level
- 7.50 ft
- Major and widespread flooding along the North Loup River. Water will approach outbuildings and homes. Roads along the river may be inundated.
- 6.50 ft
- Flood waters approach properties along the North Loup River with flooding of corrals and outbuildings possible.
- 5.50 ft
- Minor flooding along the North Loup River impacting agricultural land.
- 4.50 ft
- Lowland flooding along the North Loup River.
- 2.87 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5.33 ft | February 4, 2015 |
| 2 | 5.01 ft | December 25, 2022 |
| 3 | 4.84 ft | January 28, 2014 |
| 4 | 4.48 ft | March 13, 2019 |
| 5 | 4.41 ft | June 11, 2010 |
| 6 | 4.33 ft | January 26, 2018 |
| 7 | 4.32 ft | February 23, 2013 |
| 8 | 4.20 ft | February 25, 1950 |
| 9 | 4.15 ft | January 10, 2022 |
| 10 | 3.92 ft | March 4, 1949 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Other gauges on the North Loup River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Loup River at TaylorRiver gauge, North Loup River | 3.02 ft | Very low | +0.09 ft | 27 mi |
| North Loup River near Saint PaulRiver gauge, North Loup River | 2.84 ft | Normal | +0.01 ft | 87 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Loup River at DunningRiver gauge, Middle Loup River | 3.00 ft | Very low | +0.01 ft | 15 mi |
| Middle Loup River near GatesRiver gauge, Middle Loup River | 4.72 ft | Low | +1.42 ft | 22 mi |
| Calamus Reservoir and Virginia SmithReservoir | 2,234.48 ft | Normal | 34 mi | |
| Dismal River near ThedfordRiver gauge, Dismal River | 1.53 ft | Normal | ±0 | 36 mi |
| South Loup River at ArnoldRiver gauge, South Loup River | 4.39 ft | Normal | −0.02 ft | 40 mi |
Questions and answers
Is the North Loup River at Brewster higher than last year?
No, it is 0.17 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 3.04 ft.
What is flood stage for the North Loup River at Brewster?
The official flood stage is 5.50 ft. The level is currently 2.63 ft below it.
What is a normal level for the North Loup River at Brewster in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 2.94 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 2.85 ft and 3.11 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 North Loup River at Brewster today?
On Oct 18, 2026, 02:45 AM CDT, the water level was 2.87 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is North Loup River at Brewster rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Steady over the last 7 days.
Is the level of North Loup River at Brewster normal?
Low 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:06785500(Agency page)- Coordinates
41.94174, -99.86010(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 | 2.87 ft | 2026-10-18 07:45 | Provisional |
| Flow | 430 cfs | 2026-10-18 07:45 | Provisional |
Download
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: North Loup River at Brewster (usgs:06785500). Accessed October 18, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/nebraska/north-loup-river-at-brewster
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