BIG SUNFLOWER RIVER AT SUNFLOWER, MS
USGS 07288500 · Mississippi · reports discharge (live), gauge height, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, specific conductance
Reading BIG SUNFLOWER RIVER AT SUNFLOWER, MS…
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USGS 07288500 · Mississippi · reports discharge (live), gauge height, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, specific conductance
What the agencies suggest
Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundingsRhode Island Department of Environmental Management
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 7:30 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Above normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 168 readings from Oct 29, 8:30 PM CDT to Nov 5, 7:30 PM CST; ranging 2.51 to 468 ft³/s; latest 460 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, 7:30 PM CST | 460 | 2.6 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM CST | 461 | 2.61 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM CST | 461 | 2.61 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM CST | 465 | 2.63 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM CST | 465 | 2.63 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM CST | 463 | 2.62 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM CST | 465 | 2.63 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM CST | 466 | 2.64 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM CST | 465 | 2.63 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM CST | 468 | 2.65 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM CST | 466 | 2.64 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM CST | 465 | 2.63 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM CST | 461 | 2.61 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM CST | 460 | 2.6 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM CST | 456 | 2.58 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM CST | 450 | 2.54 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM CST | 445 | 2.51 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM CST | 435 | 2.45 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM CST | 425 | 2.39 | 102–333 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM CST | 414 | 2.32 | 102–333 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM CST | 401 | 2.24 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM CST | 383 | 2.13 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM CST | 366 | 2.02 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM CST | 341 | 1.86 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM CST | 320 | 1.72 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM CST | 296 | 1.55 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM CST | 266 | 1.36 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM CST | 236 | 1.16 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM CST | 206 | 0.95 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM CST | 181 | 0.76 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM CST | 155 | 0.57 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM CST | 133 | 0.4 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM CST | 117 | 0.27 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM CST | 105 | 0.17 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM CST | 95.2 | 0.08 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM CST | 88.8 | 0.02 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM CST | 83.7 | -0.03 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM CST | 80.6 | -0.06 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM CST | 78.6 | -0.08 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM CST | 79.6 | -0.07 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM CST | 79.6 | -0.07 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM CST | 79.6 | -0.07 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM CST | 81.6 | -0.05 | 100–293 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM CST | 83.7 | -0.03 | 100–293 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM CST | 84.7 | -0.02 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM CST | 86.7 | 0 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM CST | 83.7 | -0.03 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM CST | 84.7 | -0.02 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM CST | 81.6 | -0.05 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM CST | 80.6 | -0.06 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM CST | 75.7 | -0.11 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM CST | 82.6 | -0.04 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM CST | 83.7 | -0.03 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM CST | 85.7 | -0.01 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM CST | 87.8 | 0.01 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM CST | 88.8 | 0.02 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 AM CST | 92 | 0.05 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM CST | 89.9 | 0.03 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM CST | 93.1 | 0.06 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM CST | 96.3 | 0.09 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM CST | 97.4 | 0.1 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM CST | 99.6 | 0.12 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM CST | 102 | 0.14 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM CST | 102 | 0.14 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM CST | 104 | 0.16 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM CST | 105 | 0.17 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM CST | 105 | 0.17 | 103–318 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM CST | 105 | 0.17 | 103–318 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM CST | 105 | 0.17 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM CST | 104 | 0.16 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM CST | 104 | 0.16 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM CST | 102 | 0.14 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM CST | 101 | 0.13 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM CST | 98.5 | 0.11 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM CST | 96.3 | 0.09 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM CST | 95.2 | 0.08 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM CST | 90.9 | 0.04 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM CST | 88.8 | 0.02 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM CST | 86.7 | 0 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM CST | 82.6 | -0.04 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 AM CST | 76.7 | -0.1 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 AM CST | 72.8 | -0.14 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 AM CST | 68.1 | -0.19 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 AM CST | 62.7 | -0.25 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 AM CST | 60.9 | -0.27 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 AM CST | 54.1 | -0.35 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 AM CST | 48.3 | -0.42 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 AM CST | 42.7 | -0.49 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 AM CST | 35.3 | -0.59 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 AM CST | 27.9 | -0.7 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 AM CST | 21.5 | -0.81 | 101–305 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 AM CST | 17.3 | -0.89 | 101–305 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 PM CST | 14.5 | -0.95 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 PM CST | 12.7 | -0.99 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 PM CST | 11.5 | -1.02 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 PM CST | 10.4 | -1.05 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 PM CST | 9.61 | -1.07 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 PM CST | 7.24 | -1.14 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 PM CST | 7.24 | -1.14 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 PM CST | 8.21 | -1.11 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 PM CST | 7.24 | -1.14 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 PM CST | 6.93 | -1.15 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 PM CST | 6.32 | -1.17 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 PM CST | 5.75 | -1.19 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 AM CST | 5.47 | -1.2 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 AM CST | 4.94 | -1.22 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 AM CST | 2.89 | -1.31 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 AM CST | 3.51 | -1.28 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 AM CST | 3.3 | -1.29 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 AM CST | 3.51 | -1.28 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 AM CST | 4.44 | -1.24 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM CST | 3.09 | -1.3 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 AM CST | 3.09 | -1.3 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 AM CST | 3.96 | -1.26 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM CST | 3.73 | -1.27 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM CDT | 3.51 | -1.28 | 100–304 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 AM CDT | 4.2 | -1.25 | 100–304 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 PM CDT | 3.73 | -1.27 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 PM CDT | 3.73 | -1.27 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 PM CDT | 4.2 | -1.25 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 PM CDT | 3.3 | -1.29 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 PM CDT | 3.96 | -1.26 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM CDT | 4.2 | -1.25 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 PM CDT | 3.73 | -1.27 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 PM CDT | 4.69 | -1.23 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 PM CDT | 4.44 | -1.24 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 PM CDT | 3.3 | -1.29 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 PM CDT | 3.3 | -1.29 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 PM CDT | 3.96 | -1.26 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 AM CDT | 3.51 | -1.28 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 AM CDT | 4.69 | -1.23 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 AM CDT | 4.44 | -1.24 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 AM CDT | 3.73 | -1.27 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 AM CDT | 3.96 | -1.26 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 AM CDT | 3.96 | -1.26 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 AM CDT | 3.73 | -1.27 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 AM CDT | 3.51 | -1.28 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 AM CDT | 3.96 | -1.26 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 AM CDT | 3.73 | -1.27 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 AM CDT | 3.51 | -1.28 | 104–265 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 AM CDT | 3.51 | -1.28 | 104–265 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 PM CDT | 3.96 | -1.26 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 PM CDT | 3.3 | -1.29 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 PM CDT | 3.09 | -1.3 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 PM CDT | 3.09 | -1.3 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 PM CDT | 2.89 | -1.31 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 PM CDT | 4.94 | -1.22 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 PM CDT | 5.47 | -1.2 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 PM CDT | 6.03 | -1.18 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 PM CDT | 6.03 | -1.18 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 PM CDT | 6.32 | -1.17 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 PM CDT | 3.3 | -1.29 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM CDT | 2.7 | -1.37 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM CDT | 3.73 | -1.26 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM CDT | 2.51 | – | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM CDT | 6.03 | – | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM CDT | 3.3 | – | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM CDT | 4.69 | -1.36 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM CDT | 2.89 | -1.31 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM CDT | 4.69 | -1.27 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 AM CDT | 4.2 | -1.25 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 AM CDT | 4.94 | -1.23 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 AM CDT | 4.2 | -1.25 | 98–319 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 AM CDT | 3.96 | -1.24 | 98–319 |
| Oct 29, 11:30 PM CDT | 4.44 | -1.24 | 96–301 |
| Oct 29, 10:30 PM CDT | 4.44 | -1.24 | 96–301 |
| Oct 29, 9:30 PM CDT | 4.44 | -1.24 | 96–301 |
| Oct 29, 8:30 PM CDT | 4.69 | -1.23 | 96–301 |
Map of USGS gauge 07288500 and the river around it
Where BIG SUNFLOWER RIVER AT SUNFLOWER, MS 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. We found no Mississippi agency water-temperature line for trout anglers. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Mississippi rule: 68°F.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks / Mississippi Department of Marine Resources: Mississippi public fishing lakes · Mississippi general fishing rules and regulations.
Normal for Nov 5: 102–333 ft³/s (middle half of 68 years of record). Now: 460 ft³/s, above normal.
Above normal for this date. 460 ft³/s is between the 75th and 90th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 68 years of record (1936–2026): 10th 34, 25th 102, median 182, 75th 333, 90th 1,790 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 16.1 ft³/s, highest 4,980 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).
Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 43.8%, from 320 to 460 ft³/s. 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)Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 43.8%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS 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)Dissolved oxygen 5.5 mg/L at Nov 5, 7:30 PM CST; 7-day range 3.4–9.7 mg/L
Below EPA's coldwater mean: 5.5 mg/L is under the 6.5 mg/L 30-day mean EPA sets for coldwater fish (other life stages), though above its 4 mg/L minimum. One reading is not a 30-day mean. Wyoming Game and Fish: “Higher water temperatures lead to lower oxygen levels.”
Quality Criteria for Water 1986 (“Gold Book”): dissolved oxygen, Table 1; pH (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) Anglers encouraged to adjust fishing practices as temperatures rise (Wyoming Game and Fish Department)pH 4.9 at Nov 5, 7:30 PM CST; 7-day range 4.7–6.8
Outside EPA's freshwater range: pH 4.9 is outside 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 378 FNU at Nov 5, 7:30 PM CST; 7-day range 14.3–1,300 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 392 µS/cm at Nov 5, 7:30 PM CST; 7-day range 11–629 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 2.58 ft stage, 484 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:30 PM CST (NWS gauge SUNM6; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 9:49 AM CST. Highest point: 3 ft, 554 ft³/s on Nov 6, 6:00 AM CST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 2.8 ft | 521 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 3 ft | 554 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 2.9 ft | 537 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 2.7 ft | 504 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 2.5 ft | 471 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 2.1 ft | 403 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 7:58 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.