BUFFALO RIVER NEAR HAWLEY, MN
USGS 05061000 · Minnesota · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading BUFFALO RIVER NEAR HAWLEY, MN…
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USGS 05061000 · Minnesota · 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, 8:45 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Above normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 10:00 PM CDT to Nov 5, 8:45 PM CST; ranging 26.9 to 92.9 ft³/s; latest 88.8 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, 8:45 PM CST | 88.8 | 3.87 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 PM CST | 89.8 | 3.88 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 PM CST | 88.8 | 3.87 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 PM CST | 89.8 | 3.88 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM CST | 88.8 | 3.87 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM CST | 88.8 | 3.87 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM CST | 89.8 | 3.88 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM CST | 90.9 | 3.89 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM CST | 90.9 | 3.89 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM CST | 92.9 | 3.91 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM CST | 92.9 | 3.91 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM CST | 92.9 | 3.91 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM CST | 92.9 | 3.91 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM CST | 91.9 | 3.9 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM CST | 90.9 | 3.89 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM CST | 91.9 | 3.9 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM CST | 90.9 | 3.89 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM CST | 90.9 | 3.89 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM CST | 89.8 | 3.88 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM CST | 89.8 | 3.88 | 25–64 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM CST | 89.8 | 3.88 | 25–64 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM CST | 89.8 | 3.88 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM CST | 89.8 | 3.88 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM CST | 89.8 | 3.88 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM CST | 89.8 | 3.88 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM CST | 88.8 | 3.87 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM CST | 87.8 | 3.86 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM CST | 87.8 | 3.86 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM CST | 86.8 | 3.85 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM CST | 87.8 | 3.86 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM CST | 86.8 | 3.85 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM CST | 84.8 | 3.83 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM CST | 84.8 | 3.83 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM CST | 83.9 | 3.82 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM CST | 84.8 | 3.83 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM CST | 82.9 | 3.81 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM CST | 80 | 3.78 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM CST | 79 | 3.77 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM CST | 76.2 | 3.74 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM CST | 72.5 | 3.7 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM CST | 68.8 | 3.66 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM CST | 64.4 | 3.61 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM CST | 61 | 3.57 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM CST | 57.6 | 3.53 | 25–66 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM CST | 56 | 3.51 | 25–66 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM CST | 54.3 | 3.49 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM CST | 54.3 | 3.49 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM CST | 54.3 | 3.49 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM CST | 53.5 | 3.48 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM CST | 53.5 | 3.48 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM CST | 54.3 | 3.49 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM CST | 54.3 | 3.49 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM CST | 54.3 | 3.49 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM CST | 55.1 | 3.5 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM CST | 56 | 3.51 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM CST | 55.1 | 3.5 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM CST | 56 | 3.51 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM CST | 56 | 3.51 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM CST | 55.1 | 3.5 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM CST | 55.1 | 3.5 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM CST | 55.1 | 3.5 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM CST | 54.3 | 3.49 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM CST | 52.7 | 3.47 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM CST | 51.9 | 3.46 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM CST | 51.9 | 3.46 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM CST | 50.4 | 3.44 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM CST | 48.8 | 3.42 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM CST | 48.1 | 3.41 | 26–68 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM CST | 47.2 | 3.4 | 26–68 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM CST | 46.3 | 3.39 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM CST | 45.4 | 3.38 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM CST | 45.4 | 3.38 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM CST | 45.4 | 3.38 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM CST | 47.2 | 3.4 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM CST | 49.6 | 3.43 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM CST | 49.6 | 3.43 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM CST | 48.8 | 3.42 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM CST | 51.2 | 3.45 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM CST | 52.7 | 3.47 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM CST | 53.5 | 3.48 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM CST | 51.9 | 3.46 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM CST | 42.8 | 3.35 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM CST | 35.5 | 3.26 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM CST | 34.8 | 3.25 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM CST | 34 | 3.24 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM CST | 34 | 3.24 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM CST | 32.5 | 3.22 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM CST | 31.1 | 3.2 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM CST | 31.8 | 3.21 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM CST | 32.5 | 3.22 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM CST | 31.8 | 3.21 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM CST | 31.8 | 3.21 | 25–69 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM CST | 31.8 | 3.21 | 25–69 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM CST | 31.8 | 3.21 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM CST | 31.1 | 3.2 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM CST | 31.1 | 3.2 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM CST | 30.4 | 3.19 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM CST | 30.4 | 3.19 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM CST | 29.7 | 3.18 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM CST | 29.7 | 3.18 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM CST | 29 | 3.17 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM CST | 29 | 3.17 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM CST | 29 | 3.17 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM CST | 27.6 | 3.15 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM CST | 27.6 | 3.15 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM CST | 26.9 | 3.14 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM CST | 26.9 | 3.14 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM CST | 27.6 | 3.15 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM CST | 28.3 | 3.16 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM CST | 29 | 3.17 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM CST | 29.7 | 3.18 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM CST | 30.4 | 3.19 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM CST | 30.4 | 3.19 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM CST | 30.4 | 3.19 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM CST | 30.4 | 3.19 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM CST | 30.4 | 3.19 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM CDT | 30.4 | 3.19 | 25–78 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM CDT | 30.4 | 3.19 | 25–78 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM CDT | 29.7 | 3.18 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM CDT | 29.7 | 3.18 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM CDT | 29.7 | 3.18 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM CDT | 29.7 | 3.18 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM CDT | 29 | 3.17 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM CDT | 28.3 | 3.16 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM CDT | 27.6 | 3.15 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM CDT | 27.6 | 3.15 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM CDT | 27.6 | 3.15 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM CDT | 27.6 | 3.15 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM CDT | 28.3 | 3.16 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM CDT | 27.6 | 3.15 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM CDT | 28.3 | 3.16 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM CDT | 28.3 | 3.16 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM CDT | 28.3 | 3.16 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM CDT | 29 | 3.17 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM CDT | 29 | 3.17 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM CDT | 29 | 3.17 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM CDT | 29.7 | 3.18 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM CDT | 30.4 | 3.19 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM CDT | 30.4 | 3.19 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM CDT | 30.4 | 3.19 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM CDT | 31.1 | 3.2 | 27–72 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM CDT | 31.8 | 3.21 | 27–72 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM CDT | 31.1 | 3.2 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM CDT | 32.5 | 3.22 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM CDT | 31.8 | 3.21 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM CDT | 31.8 | 3.21 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM CDT | 32.5 | 3.22 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM CDT | 32.5 | 3.22 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM CDT | 33.3 | 3.23 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM CDT | 33.3 | 3.23 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM CDT | 32.5 | 3.22 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM CDT | 33.3 | 3.23 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM CDT | 32.5 | 3.22 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM CDT | 32.5 | 3.22 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM CDT | 32.5 | 3.22 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM CDT | 33.3 | 3.23 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM CDT | 33.3 | 3.23 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM CDT | 33.3 | 3.23 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM CDT | 33.3 | 3.23 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM CDT | 33.3 | 3.23 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM CDT | 34 | 3.24 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM CDT | 34 | 3.24 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM CDT | 34 | 3.24 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM CDT | 33.3 | 3.23 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM CDT | 33.3 | 3.23 | 25–73 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM CDT | 34 | 3.24 | 25–73 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM CDT | 33.3 | 3.23 | 25–64 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM CDT | 33.3 | 3.23 | 25–64 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM CDT | 33.3 | 3.23 | 25–64 |
Map of USGS gauge 05061000 and the river around it
Where BUFFALO RIVER NEAR HAWLEY, MN sits, with 1 other gauge on the same river.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. Minnesota DNR publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Minnesota rule, with Minnesota DNR's own figure added: 68°F and 75°F.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Minnesota trout fishing · Minnesota fishing regulations.
Normal for Nov 5: 25–64 ft³/s (middle half of 79 years of record). Now: 88.8 ft³/s, above normal.
Above normal for this date. 88.8 ft³/s is between the 75th and 90th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 79 years of record (1946–2026): 10th 17, 25th 25, median 35, 75th 64, 90th 128 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 14 ft³/s, highest 438 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 (−1.1% 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 3.87 ft stage, 89 ft³/s at Nov 5, 8:45 PM CST (NWS gauge HWYM5; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:53 PM CST; 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.