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SwedenWest Fork Big Blue River near Dorchester water level
River gauge, West Fork Big Blue River, Nebraska, United States
Right now
High for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 126 cfs
History
20252026
What this means
High water at West Fork Big Blue River near Dorchester: the latest reading is 3.48 ft, above normal for mid-October.
The median for mid-October is 2.80 ft, based on 17 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.68 ft above typical. It is 11.52 ft below the flood stage of 15.00 ft. On the same day last year the reading was 2.60 ft, a difference of +0.88 ft.
It has barely moved over the past 24 hours. The 30-day range is 2.56 ft – 18.03 ft.
That stands out in fall, when many rivers are usually near their lowest.
Compared with 17 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 2.80 ft0.68 ft above the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 2.17 ft – 3.77 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (17 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 2.60 ft+0.88 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 2.56 ft – 18.03 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 2.41 ft – 18.03 ft
- Highest on record
- 24.80 ftJuly 10, 1950
Paddling and fishing conditions
Above-normal flows push fish to the edges and make wading risky. Wait for the river to drop and clear.
For reference, flood stage is 15.00 ft.
What happens at each level
- 30.00 ft
- Water is over the bridge.
- 28.00 ft
- Water reaches bottom of the concrete on the bridge.
- 25.00 ft
- The low steel of the bridge at the gage site is level with flood waters which are spreading out across the flood plain throughout the reach.
- 22.00 ft
- The county road about 500 feet north of the gage begins to flood.
- 18.00 ft
- Though only minor flooding is occurring at the gage, upstream near Beaver Crossing more severe flooding is likely ongoing.
- 15.00 ft
- Overflows commence along the low banks.
- 3.48 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: 15 %.
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24.80 ft | July 10, 1950 |
| 2 | 22.62 ft | July 1, 1986 |
| 3 | 21.71 ft | March 11, 1993 |
| 4 | 21.24 ft | June 8, 2015 |
| 5 | 21.17 ft | May 13, 2005 |
| 6 | 20.58 ft | July 22, 1990 |
| 7 | 20.34 ft | March 20, 1969 |
| 8 | 20.28 ft | March 30, 1960 |
| 9 | 19.96 ft | March 14, 2019 |
| 10 | 19.51 ft | March 25, 1987 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Blue River near CreteRiver gauge, Big Blue River | 9.79 ft | Very high | −0.31 ft | 15 mi |
| Haines Branch at SW 56th St at LincolnRiver gauge, Haines Branch | 3.13 ft | High | −0.03 ft | 20 mi |
| Middle Creek at SW 63rd St at LincolnRiver gauge, Middle Creek | 2.89 ft | Very high | −0.09 ft | 20 mi |
| Oak Creek at Air Park Road at LincolnRiver gauge, Oak Creek | 1.30 ft | Very high | −0.07 ft | 23 mi |
| Salt Creek at Pioneers Boulevard at LincolnRiver gauge, Salt Creek | 5.60 ft | Normal | −0.04 ft | 24 mi |
| Antelope Creek at 27th Street at LincolnRiver gauge, Antelope Creek | 3.56 ft | Below flood stage | −0.06 ft | 26 mi |
| Salt Creek at Innovation Campus at LincolnRiver gauge, Salt Creek | 8.82 ft | Normal | −0.06 ft | 26 mi |
| Salt Creek at 27th Street at LincolnRiver gauge, Salt Creek | 2.90 ft | High | −0.04 ft | 27 mi |
Questions and answers
Is the West Fork Big Blue River near Dorchester higher than last year?
Yes, it is 0.88 ft higher than on the same day last year, when the reading was 2.60 ft.
What is flood stage for the West Fork Big Blue River near Dorchester?
The official flood stage is 15.00 ft. The level is currently 11.52 ft below it.
What is a normal level for the West Fork Big Blue River near Dorchester in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 2.80 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 2.17 ft and 3.77 ft, based on 17 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 West Fork Big Blue River near Dorchester today?
On Oct 19, 2026, 05:00 PM CDT, the water level was 3.48 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is West Fork Big Blue River near Dorchester rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Down 0.27 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of West Fork Big Blue River near Dorchester normal?
High for mid-October. Compared with 17 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:06880800(Agency page)- Coordinates
40.73152, -97.17777(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 | 3.48 ft | 2026-10-19 22:00 | Provisional |
| Flow | 126 cfs | 2026-10-19 22:00 | Provisional |
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: West Fork Big Blue River near Dorchester (usgs:06880800). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/nebraska/west-fork-big-blue-river-near-dorchester
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