COTTONWOOD RIVER NEAR NEW ULM, MN
USGS 05317000 · Minnesota · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading COTTONWOOD RIVER NEAR NEW ULM, MN…
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USGS 05317000 · 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, 9:00 PM CST · provisional USGS data
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, 9:00 PM CST; ranging 49.8 to 84.7 ft³/s; latest 70.1 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, 9:00 PM CST | 70.1 | 3.44 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 PM CST | 67.8 | 3.42 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 PM CST | 69 | 3.43 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST | 67.8 | 3.42 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM CST | 71.2 | 3.45 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM CST | 70.1 | 3.44 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM CST | 66.7 | 3.41 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM CST | 70.1 | 3.44 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM CST | 70.1 | 3.44 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM CST | 64.6 | 3.39 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM CST | 67.8 | 3.42 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM CST | 66.7 | 3.41 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM CST | 69 | 3.43 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM CST | 65.6 | 3.4 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM CST | 66.7 | 3.41 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM CST | 69 | 3.43 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM CST | 69 | 3.43 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM CST | 65.6 | 3.4 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM CST | 66.7 | 3.41 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM CST | 69 | 3.43 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM CST | 71.2 | 3.45 | 34–234 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM CST | 71.2 | 3.45 | 34–234 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM CST | 72.4 | 3.46 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM CST | 72.4 | 3.46 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM CST | 73.6 | 3.47 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM CST | 77.2 | 3.5 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM CST | 73.6 | 3.47 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM CST | 70.1 | 3.44 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM CST | 70.1 | 3.44 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM CST | 70.1 | 3.44 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM CST | 71.2 | 3.45 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM CST | 71.2 | 3.45 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM CST | 70.1 | 3.44 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM CST | 70.1 | 3.44 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM CST | 69 | 3.43 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM CST | 67.8 | 3.42 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM CST | 67.8 | 3.42 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM CST | 66.7 | 3.41 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM CST | 66.7 | 3.41 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM CST | 66.7 | 3.41 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM CST | 66.7 | 3.41 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM CST | 66.7 | 3.41 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM CST | 66.7 | 3.41 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM CST | 65.6 | 3.4 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM CST | 66.7 | 3.41 | 33–225 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM CST | 65.6 | 3.4 | 33–225 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM CST | 70.1 | 3.44 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM CST | 67.8 | 3.42 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM CST | 70.1 | 3.44 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM CST | 69 | 3.43 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM CST | 72.4 | 3.46 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM CST | 76 | 3.49 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM CST | 69 | 3.43 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM CST | 69 | 3.43 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM CST | 71.2 | 3.45 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM CST | 70.1 | 3.44 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM CST | 66.7 | 3.41 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM CST | 65.6 | 3.4 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM CST | 63.5 | 3.38 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM CST | 65.6 | 3.4 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM CST | 66.7 | 3.41 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM CST | 64.6 | 3.39 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM CST | 63.5 | 3.38 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM CST | 62.4 | 3.37 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM CST | 60.4 | 3.35 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM CST | 59.3 | 3.34 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM CST | 59.3 | 3.34 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM CST | 59.3 | 3.34 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM CST | 59.3 | 3.34 | 32–218 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM CST | 59.3 | 3.34 | 32–218 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM CST | 59.3 | 3.34 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM CST | 60.4 | 3.35 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM CST | 60.4 | 3.35 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM CST | 59.3 | 3.34 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM CST | 55.4 | 3.3 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM CST | 57.3 | 3.32 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM CST | 61.4 | 3.36 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM CST | 60.4 | 3.35 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM CST | 58.3 | 3.33 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM CST | 59.3 | 3.34 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM CST | 65.6 | 3.4 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM CST | 70.1 | 3.44 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM CST | 64.6 | 3.39 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM CST | 67.8 | 3.42 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM CST | 84.7 | 3.56 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM CST | 50.7 | 3.25 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM CST | 50.7 | 3.25 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM CST | 55.4 | 3.3 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM CST | 50.7 | 3.25 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM CST | 49.8 | 3.24 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM CST | 52.6 | 3.27 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM CST | 55.4 | 3.3 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM CST | 54.4 | 3.29 | 29–192 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM CST | 56.4 | 3.31 | 29–192 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM CST | 56.4 | 3.31 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM CST | 56.4 | 3.31 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM CST | 54.4 | 3.29 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM CST | 55.4 | 3.3 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM CST | 55.4 | 3.3 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM CST | 55.4 | 3.3 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM CST | 56.4 | 3.31 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM CST | 53.5 | 3.28 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM CST | 51.6 | 3.26 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM CST | 56.4 | 3.31 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM CST | 56.4 | 3.31 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM CST | 54.4 | 3.29 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM CST | 57.3 | 3.32 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM CST | 57.3 | 3.32 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM CST | 57.3 | 3.32 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM CST | 57.3 | 3.32 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM CST | 57.3 | 3.32 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM CST | 58.3 | 3.33 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM CST | 58.3 | 3.33 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM CST | 58.3 | 3.33 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM CST | 58.3 | 3.33 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM CST | 58.3 | 3.33 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM CST | 58.3 | 3.33 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM CDT | 59.3 | 3.34 | 29–184 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM CDT | 59.3 | 3.34 | 29–184 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM CDT | 60.4 | 3.35 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM CDT | 60.4 | 3.35 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM CDT | 60.4 | 3.35 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM CDT | 60.4 | 3.35 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM CDT | 61.4 | 3.36 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM CDT | 61.4 | 3.36 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM CDT | 61.4 | 3.36 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM CDT | 62.4 | 3.37 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM CDT | 62.4 | 3.37 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM CDT | 62.4 | 3.37 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM CDT | 62.4 | 3.37 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM CDT | 61.4 | 3.36 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM CDT | 60.4 | 3.35 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM CDT | 58.3 | 3.33 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM CDT | 57.3 | 3.32 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM CDT | 56.4 | 3.31 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 26–179 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 26–179 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM CDT | 54.4 | 3.29 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 28–186 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 28–186 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 33–182 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM CDT | 55.4 | 3.3 | 33–182 |
Map of USGS gauge 05317000 and the river around it
Where COTTONWOOD RIVER NEAR NEW ULM, MN sits.
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: 34–234 ft³/s (middle half of 96 years of record). Now: 70.1 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 70.1 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 96 years of record (1910–2025): 10th 20, 25th 34, median 69, 75th 234, 90th 715 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 8 ft³/s, highest 2,460 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 (−4.8% 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 3.42 ft stage, 55 ft³/s at Nov 5, 8:00 PM CST (NWS gauge NWUM5; 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, 9:54 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.