Lehigh River at Bethlehem, PA
USGS 01453000 · Pennsylvania · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading Lehigh River at Bethlehem, PA…
Back to the search
USGS 01453000 · Pennsylvania · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 11:30 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 30, 12:30 AM EDT to Nov 5, 11:30 PM EST; ranging 747 to 882 ft³/s; latest 802 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 11:30 PM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 PM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 PM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST | 790 | 1.43 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 PM EST | 790 | 1.43 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM EST | 790 | 1.43 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST | 790 | 1.43 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM EST | 790 | 1.43 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM EST | 779 | 1.42 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM EST | 779 | 1.42 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM EST | 779 | 1.42 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM EST | 747 | 1.39 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM EST | 747 | 1.39 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM EST | 747 | 1.39 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM EST | 747 | 1.39 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 851–2,850 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM EST | 747 | 1.39 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM EST | 747 | 1.39 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM EST | 747 | 1.39 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM EST | 747 | 1.39 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM EST | 758 | 1.4 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 806–2,750 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM EST | 779 | 1.42 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM EST | 779 | 1.42 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM EST | 779 | 1.42 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM EST | 779 | 1.42 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM EST | 779 | 1.42 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 AM EST | 779 | 1.42 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM EST | 768 | 1.41 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM EST | 779 | 1.42 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM EST | 779 | 1.42 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM EST | 790 | 1.43 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM EST | 790 | 1.43 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 787–2,840 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 AM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 AM EST | 790 | 1.43 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM EST | 790 | 1.43 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM EST | 790 | 1.43 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 AM EST | 790 | 1.43 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 AM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 AM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 AM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 AM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 AM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 AM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 791–2,530 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM EST | 824 | 1.46 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 PM EST | 824 | 1.46 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 PM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 PM EST | 824 | 1.46 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 PM EST | 824 | 1.46 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM EST | 824 | 1.46 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM EST | 824 | 1.46 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM EST | 824 | 1.46 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM EST | 824 | 1.46 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 PM EST | 824 | 1.46 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 PM EST | 824 | 1.46 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM EST | 824 | 1.46 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 AM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 AM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 AM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 AM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 AM EST | 802 | 1.44 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 AM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 AM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 AM EST | 813 | 1.45 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 AM EST | 824 | 1.46 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 AM EST | 824 | 1.46 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM EST | 835 | 1.47 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM EDT | 835 | 1.47 | 790–2,590 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 AM EDT | 835 | 1.47 | 790–2,590 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 PM EDT | 835 | 1.47 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 PM EDT | 835 | 1.47 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 PM EDT | 835 | 1.47 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 PM EDT | 835 | 1.47 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 PM EDT | 835 | 1.47 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 PM EDT | 847 | 1.48 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 PM EDT | 847 | 1.48 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 PM EDT | 859 | 1.49 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 PM EDT | 859 | 1.49 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 PM EDT | 859 | 1.49 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 PM EDT | 859 | 1.49 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 PM EDT | 847 | 1.48 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 AM EDT | 847 | 1.48 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 AM EDT | 847 | 1.48 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 AM EDT | 835 | 1.47 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 AM EDT | 847 | 1.48 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 AM EDT | 835 | 1.47 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 AM EDT | 835 | 1.47 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 AM EDT | 847 | 1.48 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 AM EDT | 847 | 1.48 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 AM EDT | 847 | 1.48 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 AM EDT | 847 | 1.48 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 AM EDT | 859 | 1.49 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 AM EDT | 859 | 1.49 | 812–2,750 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 PM EDT | 859 | 1.49 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 PM EDT | 859 | 1.49 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 PM EDT | 859 | 1.49 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 PM EDT | 859 | 1.49 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 PM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 PM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 PM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 PM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 PM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 PM EDT | 882 | 1.51 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 PM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 PM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 AM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 AM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 AM EDT | 859 | 1.49 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 AM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 AM EDT | 859 | 1.49 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 AM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 AM EDT | 870 | 1.5 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 AM EDT | 882 | 1.51 | 838–2,820 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 AM EDT | 882 | 1.51 | 838–2,820 |
Map of USGS gauge 01453000 and the river around it
Where Lehigh River at Bethlehem, PA sits, with 3 other gauges on the same river.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission uses are 60°F, 70°F and 72°F.
Species list not on file for this gauge.
Normal for Nov 5: 851–2,850 ft³/s (middle half of 86 years of record). Now: 802 ft³/s, below normal.
Below normal for this date. 802 ft³/s is between the 10th and 25th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 86 years of record (1941–2026): 10th 666, 25th 851, median 1,680, 75th 2,850, 90th 3,750 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 328 ft³/s, highest 7,620 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (+4.4% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 1.44 ft stage, 802 ft³/s at Nov 5, 10:30 PM EST (NWS gauge BETP1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 10:16 AM EST. Highest point: 1.5 ft, 870 ft³/s on Nov 6, 1:00 AM EST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 1.4 ft | 758 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 1.5 ft | 870 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 1.4 ft | 758 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 1.4 ft | 758 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 6, 12:04 AM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.