Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford, PA
USGS 01481000 · Pennsylvania · reports discharge (live), gauge height, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, specific conductance
Reading Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford, PA…
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USGS 01481000 · Pennsylvania · reports discharge (live), gauge height, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, specific conductance
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, 8:30 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 9:30 PM EDT to Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST; ranging 159 to 185 ft³/s; latest 164 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) | Water temp (°F) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 58.6 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 PM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 58.5 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 58.3 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 58.1 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 57.9 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 57.7 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 57.6 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 57.2 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 57 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 56.5 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 56.1 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 55.8 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 55.6 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 55.4 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 55.2 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM EST | 170 | 1.75 | 55.2 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM EST | 170 | 1.75 | 55.4 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 55.4 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 55.4 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 55.4 | 146–358 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 55.6 | 146–358 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 55.6 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 55.6 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 55.6 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 55.6 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 55.6 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 55.4 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 55.2 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 55.2 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 55 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 55 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM EST | 164 | 1.73 | 55 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 54.7 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 54 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 52.9 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 52.2 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 51.8 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM EST | 167 | 1.74 | 51.6 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM EST | 171 | 1.75 | 51.8 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM EST | 171 | 1.75 | 52 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM EST | 171 | 1.75 | 52.2 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM EST | 171 | 1.75 | 52.3 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM EST | 171 | 1.75 | 52.5 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM EST | 171 | 1.75 | 52.7 | 143–367 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM EST | 168 | 1.74 | 52.9 | 143–367 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM EST | 168 | 1.74 | 53.2 | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM EST | 168 | 1.74 | 53.2 | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM EST | 168 | 1.74 | 53.4 | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM EST | 168 | 1.74 | 53.4 | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM EST | 168 | 1.74 | 53.2 | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM EST | 171 | 1.75 | 53.2 | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM EST | 171 | 1.75 | 52.9 | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM EST | 171 | 1.75 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM EST | 171 | 1.75 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM EST | 171 | 1.75 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM EST | 171 | 1.75 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM EST | 171 | 1.75 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 AM EST | 168 | 1.74 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM EST | 168 | 1.74 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM EST | 168 | 1.74 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM EST | 168 | 1.74 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM EST | 171 | 1.75 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM EST | 171 | 1.75 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM EST | 171 | 1.75 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM EST | 171 | 1.75 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM EST | 168 | 1.74 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM EST | 168 | 1.74 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM EST | 165 | 1.73 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 145–371 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM EST | 159 | 1.71 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM EST | 159 | 1.71 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM EST | 159 | 1.71 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM EST | 159 | 1.71 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM EST | 159 | 1.71 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM EST | 159 | 1.71 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 AM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 AM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 AM EST | 165 | 1.73 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 AM EST | 165 | 1.73 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 AM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 AM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 AM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 AM EST | 159 | 1.71 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 AM EST | 159 | 1.71 | – | 141–386 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM EST | 159 | 1.71 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 PM EST | 159 | 1.71 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 PM EST | 159 | 1.71 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 PM EST | 162 | 1.72 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM EST | 165 | 1.73 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 AM EST | 165 | 1.73 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 AM EST | 165 | 1.73 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 AM EST | 165 | 1.73 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 AM EST | 165 | 1.73 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 AM EST | 165 | 1.73 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 AM EST | 168 | 1.74 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 AM EST | 168 | 1.74 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 AM EST | 168 | 1.74 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 AM EST | 168 | 1.74 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 AM EST | 165 | 1.73 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM EST | 165 | 1.73 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM EDT | 165 | 1.73 | – | 141–383 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 AM EDT | 165 | 1.73 | – | 141–383 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 PM EDT | 162 | 1.72 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 PM EDT | 162 | 1.72 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 PM EDT | 162 | 1.72 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 PM EDT | 162 | 1.72 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 PM EDT | 165 | 1.73 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 PM EDT | 165 | 1.73 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 PM EDT | 165 | 1.73 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 PM EDT | 165 | 1.73 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 PM EDT | 165 | 1.73 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 PM EDT | 165 | 1.73 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 PM EDT | 165 | 1.73 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 PM EDT | 168 | 1.74 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 AM EDT | 168 | 1.74 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 AM EDT | 168 | 1.74 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 AM EDT | 168 | 1.74 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 AM EDT | 168 | 1.74 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 AM EDT | 168 | 1.74 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 AM EDT | 168 | 1.74 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 AM EDT | 172 | 1.75 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 AM EDT | 172 | 1.75 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 AM EDT | 172 | 1.75 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 AM EDT | 172 | 1.75 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 AM EDT | 172 | 1.75 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 AM EDT | 175 | 1.76 | – | 140–453 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 PM EDT | 175 | 1.76 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 PM EDT | 175 | 1.76 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 PM EDT | 175 | 1.76 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 PM EDT | 178 | 1.77 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 PM EDT | 178 | 1.77 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 PM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 PM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 PM EDT | 178 | 1.77 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 PM EDT | 178 | 1.77 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 PM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 PM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 PM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 AM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 AM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 AM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 AM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 AM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM EDT | 185 | 1.79 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM EDT | 185 | 1.79 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 AM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 AM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 AM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 AM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–412 |
| Oct 29, 11:30 PM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–468 |
| Oct 29, 10:30 PM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–468 |
| Oct 29, 9:30 PM EDT | 181 | 1.78 | – | 137–468 |
Water temperature, last 7 days: 52 readings from Nov 3, 5:45 PM EST to Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST; ranging 51.6 to 58.6 °F; latest 58.6 °F.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Water temperature (°F) |
|---|---|
| Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST | 58.6 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 PM EST | 58.5 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM EST | 58.3 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST | 58.1 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM EST | 57.9 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM EST | 57.7 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM EST | 57.6 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM EST | 57.2 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM EST | 57 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM EST | 56.5 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM EST | 56.1 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM EST | 55.8 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM EST | 55.6 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM EST | 55.4 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM EST | 55.2 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM EST | 55.2 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM EST | 55.4 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM EST | 55.4 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM EST | 55.4 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM EST | 55.4 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM EST | 55.6 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM EST | 55.6 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM EST | 55.6 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM EST | 55.6 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM EST | 55.6 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM EST | 55.6 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM EST | 55.4 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM EST | 55.2 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM EST | 55.2 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM EST | 55 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM EST | 55 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM EST | 55 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM EST | 54.7 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM EST | 54 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM EST | 52.9 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM EST | 52.2 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM EST | 51.8 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM EST | 51.6 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM EST | 51.8 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM EST | 52 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM EST | 52.2 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM EST | 52.3 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM EST | 52.5 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM EST | 52.7 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM EST | 52.9 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM EST | 53.2 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM EST | 53.2 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM EST | 53.4 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM EST | 53.4 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM EST | 53.2 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM EST | 53.2 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM EST | 52.9 |
Map of USGS gauge 01481000 and the river around it
Where Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford, PA sits, with 1 other gauge on the same river.
In or under PFBC's preferred range. Water 58.6°F now; the highest in the last 24 hours was 58.6°F. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission: “The preferred temperature range for trout is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.”
PFBC position statement on closing coldwater tributary mouths to angling in summer (2006)Normal for Nov 5: 146–358 ft³/s (middle half of 53 years of record). Now: 164 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 164 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 53 years of record (1974–2026): 10th 120, 25th 146, median 202, 75th 358, 90th 712 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 97 ft³/s, highest 1,290 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 (+0% 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.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission: Pennsylvania adult trout stocking schedule · Pennsylvania fishing regulations.
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)Cold water. Water 58.6°F. NWS: “Cold shock can be just as severe and dangerous from water temperatures of 50-60°F (10-15°C) as it is from water at 35°F (2°C).” “Always wear a life jacket in and around the water.”
Cold Water Hazards and Safety (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)Dissolved oxygen 10.2 mg/L at Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST; 7-day range 9.7–13.5 mg/L
Enough oxygen for coldwater fish: 10.2 mg/L meets the 6.5 mg/L EPA sets for coldwater fish (other life stages; eggs and fry need a 8 mg/L minimum).
Quality Criteria for Water 1986 (“Gold Book”): dissolved oxygen, Table 1; pH (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)pH 7.5 at Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST; 7-day range 7.5–8
Within EPA's freshwater range: pH 7.5 is within the 6.5–9 range EPA gives for freshwater aquatic life.
Quality Criteria for Water 1986 (“Gold Book”): dissolved oxygen, Table 1; pH (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)Turbidity 4.5 FNU at Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST; 7-day range 3.6–5.2 FNU
Water clarity: Turbidity measures the relative clarity of water: higher means murkier. No agency publishes a fishing threshold for it; compare with this gauge's own recent readings.
Turbidity and Water (U.S. Geological Survey)Specific conductance 455 µS/cm at Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST; 7-day range 446–463 µS/cm
Dissolved ions: Specific conductance rises with the ions dissolved in the water. No fishing threshold is published for it; compare with this gauge's own recent readings.
Conductivity (Electrical Conductance) and Water (U.S. Geological Survey)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 1.76 ft stage, 173 ft³/s at Nov 5, 7:30 PM EST (NWS gauge CDFP1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 10:17 AM EST. Highest point: 2.5 ft, 479 ft³/s on Nov 6, 7:00 AM EST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 1.8 ft | 186 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 2.5 ft | 479 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 1.9 ft | 221 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 1.8 ft | 186 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:08 PM 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.