Big Fork River at Big Falls, MN

Koochiching County, Minnesota · USGS gauge 05132000 · NWS BIFM5 · Minnesota river levels

Is Big Fork River at Big Falls, MN flooding right now?

Big Fork River at Big Falls, MN measured 2.71 ft on 2026-09-11 01:00:00 UTC. That observation was 13.3 ft below its 16 ft flood stage. This is the latest available reading, not a guarantee of current conditions.

Gauge height

2.71 ft

as of 64 min ago

Streamflow

62 cfs

data refreshed 2 min ago

Minor flooding here begins at 16 ft. The highest crest on record was 17.08 ft on Mon, May 8, 1950.

Streamflow outlook

NOAA National Water Model forecast, issued 14 hours ago. The NWM models discharge for every river reach in the country, including the many gauges the National Weather Service does not forecast individually. It is a model, not an official NWS river forecast, and it predicts flow rather than water level.

Flood stages at this gauge

Category	Stage	Current distance
Minor flood	16 ft	13.3 ft below
Moderate flood	18 ft	15.3 ft below

New to these numbers? What does flood stage mean? · How to read a river gauge · Why is the river rising?

Highest crests on record

Stage	Date
17.08 ft	1950-05-08
15.9 ft	1979-04-22
15.79 ft	1969-04-16
15.12 ft	1937-04-26
15 ft	1982-04-20

Last 7 days

Past 7 days · 2.69–2.80 ft

Nearby gauges

Gauge	Distance	County
Little Fork River at Littlefork, MN	18.2 mi	Koochiching County
Nett Lake River near Nett Lake, MN	29.2 mi	Koochiching County
Rainy River at Manitou Rapids, MN	30.6 mi	Koochiching County
Wood Duck Creek near Nett Lake, MN	30.9 mi	Koochiching County
Rainy River at Boat Landing below International Falls, MN	32.0 mi	Koochiching County

Provisional data: Real-time readings are provisional and subject to revision by the USGS — sensors can be affected by ice, debris, or equipment malfunction. Do not rely on this site for decisions involving personal safety; follow official guidance from the National Weather Service and local authorities.

Sources: USGS monitoring location · NWS gauge & forecast