BLACK RIVER AT WATERTOWN NY
USGS 04260500 · New York · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading BLACK RIVER AT WATERTOWN NY…
Back to the search
USGS 04260500 · New York · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Approach the stream carefully and with a low profileIowa Department of Natural Resources
Fishing upstream will usually spook fewer fish than working downstreamIowa Department of Natural Resources
Deep pools and undercut banks provide refuge during sunny days and low waterMinnesota Department of Natural Resources
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 10:30 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Much below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT to Nov 5, 10:30 PM EST; ranging 929 to 1,820 ft³/s; latest 1,320 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, 10:30 PM EST | 1,320 | 2.8 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 PM EST | 1,310 | 2.79 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST | 1,330 | 2.81 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 PM EST | 1,370 | 2.85 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM EST | 1,430 | 2.9 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST | 1,370 | 2.85 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM EST | 1,460 | 2.93 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM EST | 1,460 | 2.93 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM EST | 1,520 | 2.99 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM EST | 1,720 | 3.17 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM EST | 1,330 | 2.81 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM EST | 1,260 | 2.75 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM EST | 1,080 | 2.57 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM EST | 1,370 | 2.85 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM EST | 1,360 | 2.84 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM EST | 1,360 | 2.84 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM EST | 1,370 | 2.85 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM EST | 1,320 | 2.8 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM EST | 1,300 | 2.78 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM EST | 1,290 | 2.77 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM EST | 1,290 | 2.77 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM EST | 1,300 | 2.78 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM EST | 1,330 | 2.81 | 2,110–5,540 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM EST | 1,320 | 2.8 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM EST | 1,320 | 2.8 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM EST | 1,330 | 2.81 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM EST | 1,330 | 2.81 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM EST | 1,320 | 2.8 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM EST | 1,350 | 2.83 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM EST | 1,360 | 2.84 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM EST | 1,360 | 2.84 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM EST | 1,350 | 2.83 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM EST | 1,320 | 2.8 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM EST | 1,360 | 2.84 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM EST | 1,370 | 2.85 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM EST | 1,390 | 2.87 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 2,120–5,300 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM EST | 1,370 | 2.85 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM EST | 1,370 | 2.85 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM EST | 1,340 | 2.82 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM EST | 1,440 | 2.91 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM EST | 1,370 | 2.85 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM EST | 1,340 | 2.82 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM EST | 1,330 | 2.81 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 AM EST | 1,360 | 2.84 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM EST | 1,410 | 2.88 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM EST | 1,410 | 2.88 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM EST | 1,370 | 2.85 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM EST | 1,360 | 2.84 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM EST | 1,340 | 2.82 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM EST | 1,370 | 2.85 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM EST | 1,390 | 2.87 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM EST | 1,360 | 2.84 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM EST | 1,360 | 2.84 | 1,990–5,310 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM EST | 1,390 | 2.87 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM EST | 1,460 | 2.93 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM EST | 1,430 | 2.9 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM EST | 1,390 | 2.87 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM EST | 1,320 | 2.8 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM EST | 1,280 | 2.76 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM EST | 1,100 | 2.59 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM EST | 1,130 | 2.62 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM EST | 1,190 | 2.68 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM EST | 1,660 | 3.12 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM EST | 929 | 2.41 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM EST | 1,310 | 2.79 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 AM EST | 1,330 | 2.81 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM EST | 1,410 | 2.88 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 AM EST | 1,470 | 2.94 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM EST | 1,470 | 2.94 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM EST | 1,470 | 2.94 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 AM EST | 1,440 | 2.91 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 AM EST | 1,380 | 2.86 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 AM EST | 1,430 | 2.9 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 AM EST | 1,480 | 2.95 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 AM EST | 1,510 | 2.98 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 AM EST | 1,490 | 2.96 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 AM EST | 1,490 | 2.96 | 1,990–5,200 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM EST | 1,480 | 2.95 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 PM EST | 1,450 | 2.92 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 PM EST | 1,530 | 3 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 PM EST | 1,680 | 3.13 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 PM EST | 1,760 | 3.2 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM EST | 1,820 | 3.25 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM EST | 1,820 | 3.25 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM EST | 1,800 | 3.24 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM EST | 1,720 | 3.17 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 PM EST | 1,590 | 3.05 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 PM EST | 1,510 | 2.98 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM EST | 1,520 | 2.99 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 AM EST | 1,530 | 3 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 AM EST | 1,540 | 3.01 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 AM EST | 1,530 | 3 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 AM EST | 1,540 | 3.01 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 AM EST | 1,580 | 3.04 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 AM EST | 1,530 | 3 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 AM EST | 1,520 | 2.99 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 AM EST | 1,510 | 2.98 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 AM EST | 1,500 | 2.97 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 AM EST | 1,480 | 2.95 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM EST | 1,490 | 2.96 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM EDT | 1,480 | 2.95 | 1,940–5,160 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 AM EDT | 1,480 | 2.95 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 PM EDT | 1,470 | 2.94 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 PM EDT | 1,460 | 2.93 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 PM EDT | 1,440 | 2.91 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 PM EDT | 1,420 | 2.89 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 PM EDT | 1,430 | 2.9 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 PM EDT | 1,430 | 2.9 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 PM EDT | 1,390 | 2.87 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 PM EDT | 1,340 | 2.82 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 PM EDT | 1,340 | 2.82 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 PM EDT | 1,240 | 2.73 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 PM EDT | 1,280 | 2.76 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 PM EDT | 1,340 | 2.82 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 AM EDT | 1,420 | 2.89 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 AM EDT | 1,420 | 2.89 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 AM EDT | 1,450 | 2.92 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 AM EDT | 1,440 | 2.91 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 AM EDT | 1,440 | 2.91 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 AM EDT | 1,430 | 2.9 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 AM EDT | 1,460 | 2.93 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 AM EDT | 1,430 | 2.9 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 AM EDT | 1,450 | 2.92 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 AM EDT | 1,440 | 2.91 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 AM EDT | 1,460 | 2.93 | 1,850–5,050 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 AM EDT | 1,420 | 2.89 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 PM EDT | 1,390 | 2.87 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 PM EDT | 1,350 | 2.83 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 PM EDT | 1,330 | 2.81 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 PM EDT | 1,290 | 2.77 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 PM EDT | 1,240 | 2.73 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 PM EDT | 1,290 | 2.77 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 PM EDT | 1,430 | 2.9 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 PM EDT | 1,440 | 2.91 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 PM EDT | 1,360 | 2.84 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 PM EDT | 1,500 | 2.97 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 PM EDT | 1,340 | 2.82 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 PM EDT | 1,320 | 2.8 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 AM EDT | 1,360 | 2.84 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 AM EDT | 1,300 | 2.78 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 AM EDT | 1,580 | 3.04 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 AM EDT | 1,420 | 2.89 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 AM EDT | 1,340 | 2.82 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM EDT | 1,350 | 2.83 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM EDT | 1,470 | 2.94 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM EDT | 1,520 | 2.99 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 AM EDT | 1,530 | 3 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 AM EDT | 1,510 | 2.98 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 AM EDT | 1,500 | 2.97 | 1,890–5,490 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 AM EDT | 1,490 | 2.96 | 1,910–5,540 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT | 1,500 | 2.97 | 1,910–5,540 |
Map of USGS gauge 04260500 and the river around it
Where BLACK RIVER AT WATERTOWN NY sits and our water's map point.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines New York DEC uses are 70°F.
Species the agency lists for Black River: Brown Trout, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Steelhead, Walleye.
Source: Steelhead Fishing in Lake Ontario Tributaries: steelhead waters with public access (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Bureau of Fisheries).
Normal for Nov 5: 2,110–5,540 ft³/s (middle half of 106 years of record). Now: 1,320 ft³/s, much below normal.
Much below normal for this date. 1,320 ft³/s is below the 10th percentile of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 106 years of record (1921–2026): 10th 1,550, 25th 2,110, median 3,560, 75th 5,540, 90th 7,570 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 1,120 ft³/s, highest 17,500 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.
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 2.79 ft stage, 1,260 ft³/s at Nov 5, 9:30 PM EST (NWS gauge ARTN6; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 10:32 AM EST. Highest point: 4 ft, 2,890 ft³/s on Nov 8, 7:00 AM EST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 2.9 ft | 1,370 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 3.2 ft | 1,730 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 3.6 ft | 2,270 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 4 ft | 2,890 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 10:58 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.