Spencer Creek below Plum Creek near Frankford, MO
USGS 05508805 · Missouri · reports discharge (live), gauge height
USGS 05508805 · Missouri · 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, 9:30 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Much below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 10:30 PM CDT to Nov 5, 9:30 PM CST; ranging 0.07 to 0.22 ft³/s; latest 0.16 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, 9:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.8–28 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.68–24 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM CST | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM CST | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM CST | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.72–23 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM CST | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM CST | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM CST | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM CST | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 AM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.75–24 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 PM CST | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 AM CST | 0.22 | 1.15 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 AM CST | 0.22 | 1.15 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM CST | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.66–26 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.66–26 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 PM CDT | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 PM CDT | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 PM CDT | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 PM CDT | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 PM CDT | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 PM CDT | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 PM CDT | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 PM CDT | 0.07 | 1.12 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.65–22 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 AM CDT | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 AM CDT | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 AM CDT | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM CDT | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM CDT | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM CDT | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 AM CDT | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 AM CDT | 0.16 | 1.14 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 AM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.55–19 |
| Oct 29, 11:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.52–15 |
| Oct 29, 10:30 PM CDT | 0.11 | 1.13 | 0.52–15 |
Map of USGS gauge 05508805 and the river around it
Where Spencer Creek below Plum Creek near Frankford, MO sits.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. Missouri Department of Conservation publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Missouri rule, with Missouri Department of Conservation's own figure added: 68°F and 70°F.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Missouri Department of Conservation: Missouri trout fishing · Missouri fishing regulations.
Normal for Nov 5: 0.8–28 ft³/s (middle half of 47 years of record). Now: 0.16 ft³/s, much below normal.
Much below normal for this date. 0.16 ft³/s is below the 10th percentile of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 47 years of record (1980–2026): 10th 0.28, 25th 0.8, median 5.2, 75th 28, 90th 212 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 0.03 ft³/s, highest 549 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.
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.
The National Weather Service has no flood-stage gauge here, so no official flood category is shown.
Checked Nov 5, 9:43 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.