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South Loup River at Arnold water level

River gauge, South Loup River, Nebraska, United States

Directions

Right now

Normal for mid-October

Water level

4.45ft Steady over the last 24 hours

Flow
26.2 cfs
5 8 10 Highest onrecord 9.92 ft Minor floodstage 8.00 ft

History

History
4.34.54.85.0ftOct 12Oct 13Oct 15Oct 17Oct 184.34.54.85.0ftOct 12Oct 15Oct 18
4.04.55.0ftSep 19Sep 26Oct 3Oct 11Oct 184.04.55.0ftSep 19Oct 3Oct 18
468ftOct 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026Jul 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage468ftOct 2025Apr 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage
4567ftJanMarMayJulSepNov20264567ftJanAprJulOct2026

20252026

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

What this means

The South Loup River at Arnold is at 4.45 ft, in the normal range for mid-October.

The median for mid-October is 4.44 ft, based on 16 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.02 ft above typical. It is 3.55 ft below the flood stage of 8.00 ft. On the same day last year the reading was 5.05 ft, a difference of −0.60 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
4.44 ft0.02 ft above the median for this date
Normal for this date
4.24 ft – 4.89 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (16 years of records)
Same day last year
5.05 ft−0.60 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days
4.24 ft – 4.55 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months
4.02 ft – 5.08 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, 3.55 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.
4.45 ft
Right now

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

Highest crests on record

RankLevelDate
19.92 ftMarch 13, 2019
29.14 ftJune 13, 2010
39.12 ftAugust 16, 2017
48.15 ftMay 19, 2018
57.95 ftJune 19, 2014
66.92 ftJune 20, 2011
76.68 ftJune 9, 2020
86.66 ftJuly 26, 2015
96.62 ftMay 1, 2016
106.37 ftMarch 20, 2021

Weather at the gauge

The forecast is not available right now.

Sunrise 07:57 AM Sunset 06:57 PM Daylight 11 hr First quarter 51%

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 0.61 ft Normal +0.03 ft 30 mi
South Loup River at Saint MichaelRiver gauge, South Loup River 2.43 ft Normal ±0 81 mi

Nearby gauges

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Middle Loup River at DunningRiver gauge, Middle Loup River 2.98 ft Very low ±0 29 mi
Dismal River near ThedfordRiver gauge, Dismal River 1.53 ft Normal ±0 30 mi
Middle Loup River near GatesRiver gauge, Middle Loup River 4.69 ft Low +0.01 ft 34 mi
North Loup River at BrewsterRiver gauge, North Loup River 2.85 ft Very low −0.02 ft 40 mi

Questions and answers

Is the South Loup River at Arnold higher than last year?

No, it is 0.60 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 5.05 ft.

What is flood stage for the South Loup River at Arnold?

The official flood stage is 8.00 ft. The level is currently 3.55 ft below it.

What is a normal level for the South Loup River at Arnold in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is 4.44 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 4.24 ft and 4.89 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 18, 2026, 11:45 AM CDT, the water level was 4.45 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.

Is South Loup River at Arnold rising or falling?

Steady over the last 24 hours. Up 0.15 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

ParameterLast valueTime (UTC)Quality
Water level 4.45 ft 2026-10-18 16:45 Provisional
Flow 26.2 cfs 2026-10-18 16:45 Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: South Loup River at Arnold (usgs:06781600). Accessed October 18, 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.