Sandy River

Type: Freestone river, Maine (East)
Designation: Special-regulation trout water
USGS gauges: 3 live
Guides: 5 nearby
Shops: None listed

Today on the Sandy River

Caution: Low water: go quiet and stealthy

No water temperature here.

Flow now: 82.4 ft³/s
Vs normal for Nov 5: Much below normal
Trend: Steady over 24 h
Last reading: Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST

At Sandy River near Mercer, Maine (USGS 01048000) · 1 of 3 gauges below Provisional USGS data

The Sandy River is a freestone river in Maine, listed as Special-regulation trout water by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW).

More about the Sandy River

3 USGS gauges on the water report flow. 5 guides nearby are listed here; the nearest destination hub is Rangeley Lakes.

Updated 4 Nov 2026 · Sources: Special Fishing Laws — artificial lures only (ALO) waters, USGS Water Data

Representative photograph of similar water; not a photograph of this place. — Representative photograph, not this water.

Where it is

Sandy River is a freestone river in Maine. Our destination hub Rangeley Lakes is 11 mi away in a straight line. Maine has 2 waters named Sandy River in the USGS Geographic Names Information System; this page is the stream whose mouth is in Somerset County, the one the agency list names.

Flow now at 3 gauges

Sandy River near Madrid, Maine

USGS 01047200 · NWS MDIM1

Limited data: Not enough data: no water temperature or flow statistics here

No water-temperature reading at this gauge: take a stream thermometer.
This gauge publishes no current flow, so it is not compared with normal.

What the agencies suggest

Carry a stream thermometer. Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature National Park Service

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Gauge height: 4.9 ft

Reading Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Gauge height · last 7 days

Gauge height, about hourly
NWS action stage (8 ft): above the range shown
NWS minor flood stage (9.5 ft): above the range shown
NWS moderate flood stage (10 ft): above the range shown
NWS major flood stage (11 ft): above the range shown
Latest: 4.9 ft at Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Gauge height, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST	4.9
Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST	4.9
Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST	4.9
Nov 5, 3:00 PM EST	4.9
Nov 5, 2:00 PM EST	4.9
Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 5, 12:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 5, 11:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 5, 9:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 5, 8:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 5, 6:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 5, 5:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 5, 4:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 5, 3:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 5, 2:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 5, 1:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 5, 12:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 11:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 10:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 9:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 8:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 7:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 6:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 5:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 4:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 3:00 PM EST	4.88
Nov 4, 2:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 1:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 12:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 11:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 10:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 9:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 8:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 7:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 6:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 5:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 4:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 3:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 2:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 4, 12:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 11:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 10:00 PM EST	4.88
Nov 3, 9:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 8:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 7:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 6:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 5:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 4:00 PM EST	4.88
Nov 3, 3:00 PM EST	4.88
Nov 3, 2:00 PM EST	4.88
Nov 3, 1:00 PM EST	4.88
Nov 3, 12:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 11:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST	4.88
Nov 3, 9:00 AM EST	4.88
Nov 3, 8:00 AM EST	4.88
Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 6:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 5:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 2:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 3, 12:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 11:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 9:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 8:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 6:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 5:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 3:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 2:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 12:00 PM EST	4.88
Nov 2, 11:00 AM EST	4.88
Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST	4.88
Nov 2, 9:00 AM EST	4.88
Nov 2, 8:00 AM EST	4.88
Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST	4.88
Nov 2, 6:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 3:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 2:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 2, 12:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 11:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 9:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 8:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 5:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 3:00 PM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 2:00 PM EST	4.88
Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST	4.88
Nov 1, 12:00 PM EST	4.88
Nov 1, 11:00 AM EST	4.88
Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST	4.88
Nov 1, 9:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 8:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 6:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 5:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 3:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 2:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST	4.89
Nov 1, 1:00 AM EDT	4.89
Nov 1, 12:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 10:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT	4.88
Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 6:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 4:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 3:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 1:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 12:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 11:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT	4.9
Oct 31, 9:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 8:00 AM EDT	4.9
Oct 31, 7:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 6:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 5:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 4:00 AM EDT	4.9
Oct 31, 3:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 2:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 1:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 31, 12:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 30, 10:00 PM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 9:00 PM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 8:00 PM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 7:00 PM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 6:00 PM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 5:00 PM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 4:00 PM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 3:00 PM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 2:00 PM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 1:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 11:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 30, 10:00 AM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 9:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 30, 8:00 AM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 7:00 AM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 6:00 AM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 5:00 AM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 4:00 AM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 3:00 AM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 2:00 AM EDT	4.9
Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT	4.89
Oct 29, 11:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 29, 10:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 29, 9:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 29, 8:00 PM EDT	4.89
Oct 29, 7:00 PM EDT	4.89

What this level means general guidance

Steady over 24 hours (gauge height +0.01 ft). 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.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

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 4.9 ft stage, 6 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST (NWS gauge MDIM1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 8 ft
Minor flood: 9.5 ft
Moderate flood: 10 ft
Major flood: 11 ft

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Maine IF&W uses are 68°F.

Species

This gauge is on our page for Sandy River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

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.

Open the USGS gauge page

Sandy River near Mercer, Maine

USGS 01048000 · NWS MERM1

Caution: Low water: go quiet and stealthy

Flow 82.4 ft³/s: much below normal (under the 10th percentile) for Nov 5, over 90 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey

What the agencies suggest

Stay low and approach slowly. Approach the stream carefully and with a low profile Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Work upstream. Fishing upstream will usually spook fewer fish than working downstream Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Look to deep pools and undercut banks. Deep pools and undercut banks provide refuge during sunny days and low water Minnesota 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.

Discharge: 82.4 ft³/s
Gauge height: 2.7 ft

Reading Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Much below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
NWS action stage (7,655 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS minor flood stage (14,759 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS moderate flood stage (31,487 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS major flood stage (40,756 ft³/s): above the range shown
Latest: 82.4 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST	82.4	2.7
Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST	82.4	2.7
Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST	82.4	2.7
Nov 5, 3:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 2:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 5, 12:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 5, 11:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 5, 9:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 5, 8:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 6:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 5:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 4:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 3:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 2:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 1:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 12:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 11:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 10:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 9:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 8:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 7:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 6:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 5:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 4:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 3:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 2:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 1:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 12:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 11:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 10:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 9:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 8:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 7:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 6:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 5:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 4:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 3:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 2:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 12:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 11:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 10:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 9:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 8:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 7:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 6:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 5:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 4:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 3:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 2:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 1:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 12:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 11:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 9:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 8:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 6:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 5:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 2:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 12:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 11:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 9:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 8:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 6:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 5:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 3:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 2:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 12:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 11:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 9:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 8:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 6:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 3:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 2:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 12:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 11:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 9:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 8:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 5:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 3:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 2:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 12:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 11:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 9:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 8:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 6:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 5:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 3:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 2:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 1:00 AM EDT	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 12:00 AM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 10:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 6:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 4:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 3:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 1:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 12:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 11:00 AM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 9:00 AM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 8:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 7:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 6:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 5:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 4:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 3:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 2:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 1:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 12:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 10:00 PM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 9:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 8:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 7:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 6:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 5:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 4:00 PM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 3:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 2:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 1:00 PM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 11:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 10:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 9:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 8:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 7:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 6:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 5:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 4:00 AM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 30, 3:00 AM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 30, 2:00 AM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 29, 11:00 PM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 29, 10:00 PM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 29, 9:00 PM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 29, 8:00 PM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 29, 7:00 PM EDT	88	2.73

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 314–1,140 ft³/s (middle half of 90 years of record). Now: 82.4 ft³/s, much below normal.

Much below normal for this date. 82.4 ft³/s is below the 10th percentile of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 90 years of record (1929–2026): 10th 142, 25th 314, median 671, 75th 1,140, 90th 2,070 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 68 ft³/s, highest 4,340 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 (+2.2% 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.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

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 2.7 ft stage, 82 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST (NWS gauge MERM1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 8 ft
Minor flood: 10 ft
Moderate flood: 14 ft
Major flood: 16 ft

NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 10:32 AM EST. Highest point: 3.4 ft, 306 ft³/s on Nov 7, 7:00 PM EST (Below NWS action stage).

NWS forecast, highest value each day
Day	Stage	Flow
Thu, Nov 5	2.7 ft	82 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 6	2.7 ft	82 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 7	3.4 ft	306 ft³/s
Sun, Nov 8	3.4 ft	306 ft³/s

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Maine IF&W uses are 68°F.

Species

This gauge is on our page for Sandy River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

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.

Open the USGS gauge page

SANDY RIVER NEAR FARMINGTON, ME

USGS 01047500

Limited data: Not enough data: no water temperature or flow statistics here

No water-temperature reading at this gauge: take a stream thermometer.
This gauge publishes no current flow, so it is not compared with normal.

What the agencies suggest

Carry a stream thermometer. Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature National Park Service

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Gauge height: 2.91 ft

No flow at this gauge. USGS does not publish discharge here, so there are no flow statistics either; it reports what is shown. Flow on the same river: Sandy River near Mercer, Maine (USGS 01048000, 11.6 miles away).

Reading Nov 5, 6:15 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Steady · 24 h

Gauge height · last 7 days

Gauge height, about hourly
Latest: 2.91 ft at Nov 5, 6:15 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Gauge height, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 6:15 PM EST	2.91
Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST	2.91
Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST	2.91
Nov 5, 3:15 PM EST	2.91
Nov 5, 2:15 PM EST	2.91
Nov 5, 1:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 5, 12:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 5, 11:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 5, 10:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 5, 9:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 5, 8:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 5, 7:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 5, 6:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 5, 5:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 5, 4:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 5, 3:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 5, 2:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 5, 1:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 5, 12:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 11:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 10:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 9:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 8:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 7:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 6:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 5:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 4:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 3:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 2:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 1:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 12:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 11:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 10:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 9:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 8:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 7:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 6:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 5:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 4:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 3:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 2:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 1:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 4, 12:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 11:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 10:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 9:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 8:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 7:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 6:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 5:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 4:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 3:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 2:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 1:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 12:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 11:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 10:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 9:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 8:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 7:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 6:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 5:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 4:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 3:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 2:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 1:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 3, 12:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 11:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 10:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 9:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 8:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 7:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 6:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 5:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 4:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 3:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 2:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 1:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 12:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 11:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 10:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 9:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 8:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 7:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 6:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 5:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 4:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 3:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 2:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 1:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 2, 12:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 11:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 10:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 9:15 PM EST	2.89
Nov 1, 8:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 7:15 PM EST	2.89
Nov 1, 6:15 PM EST	2.89
Nov 1, 5:15 PM EST	2.89
Nov 1, 4:15 PM EST	2.89
Nov 1, 3:15 PM EST	2.89
Nov 1, 2:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 1:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 12:15 PM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 11:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 10:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 9:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 8:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 7:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 6:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 5:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 4:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 3:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 2:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 1:15 AM EST	2.9
Nov 1, 1:15 AM EDT	2.9
Nov 1, 12:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 11:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 10:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 9:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 7:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 6:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 5:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 4:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 3:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 2:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 1:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 12:15 PM EDT	2.91
Oct 31, 11:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 10:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 9:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 8:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 7:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 6:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 5:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 4:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 3:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 2:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 1:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 31, 12:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 11:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 10:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 9:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 8:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 7:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 6:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 5:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 4:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 3:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 2:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 1:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 12:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 11:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 10:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 9:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 8:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 7:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 6:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 5:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 4:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 3:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 2:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 1:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 30, 12:15 AM EDT	2.9
Oct 29, 11:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 29, 10:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 29, 9:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 29, 8:15 PM EDT	2.9
Oct 29, 7:15 PM EDT	2.9

What this level means general guidance

Steady over 24 hours (gauge height +0.01 ft). 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.

The National Weather Service has no flood-stage gauge here, so no official flood category is shown.

Conditions for fishing general guidance

No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Maine IF&W uses are 68°F.

Species

This gauge is on our page for Sandy River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

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.

Open the USGS gauge page

Checked Nov 5, 6:59 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.

Reading the gauges…

Check any river's flow

Follow Sandy River for flow alerts

Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.

Follow this water

Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.

Where to fish

Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Maine public boat launches

Sandy River on the map

Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles

Restrooms Access map

Map of Sandy River with 3 USGS gauges.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restrooms near Sandy River

Restrooms within 2 miles of Sandy River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.

Skip the map; every place is in the list below

Map of 1 restroom near Sandy River, numbered as in the list, with the water’s point marked.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restroom
1.4 mi away in a straight line
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
Directions
We don't know yet: is it clean? · flush or vault? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Flush or vault?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map

Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.

More water near Sandy River

Lake or reservoir
Photo credit
Rangeley Lake, Maine. Photo: Manuel Velazquez, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rangeley Lake
Maine · about 31 mi
Brook trout & atlantic salmon
Lake or reservoir
Photo credit
Mooselookmeguntic Lake from Oquossoc, Maine. Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mooselookmeguntic Lake
Maine · about 34 mi
Brook trout & atlantic salmon
Catch and releaseAndroscoggin River in New Hampshire · not this reach
Photo credit
The Androscoggin River near Berlin, New Hampshire. Photo: AlexiusHoratius, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not this reach.
Androscoggin River
Maine · about 21 mi
1,420cfsFlow now · much below normal for the date
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Mountain Pond
Photo credit
Lake Jocassee from a canoe, South Carolina. Photo: TimothyJ from Atlanta, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Mountain Pond.
Mountain Pond
Maine · about 27 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Quill Pond
Photo credit
Sunset at Lake Moultrie, South Carolina. Photo: Kcstanfield, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Quill Pond.
Quill Pond
Maine · about 29 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Pond In the River
Photo credit
Sunrise over Lake Marion from Santee State Park, South Carolina. Photo: Andrew Parlette from Elkridge,MD, US, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Pond In the River.
Pond In the River
Maine · about 37 mi

Lake or reservoir
Photo credit
Rangeley Lake, Maine. Photo: Manuel Velazquez, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rangeley Lake
Maine · about 31 mi
Brook trout & atlantic salmon
Lake or reservoir
Photo credit
Mooselookmeguntic Lake from Oquossoc, Maine. Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mooselookmeguntic Lake
Maine · about 34 mi
Brook trout & atlantic salmon
Catch and releaseAndroscoggin River in New Hampshire · not this reach
Photo credit
The Androscoggin River near Berlin, New Hampshire. Photo: AlexiusHoratius, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not this reach.
Androscoggin River
Maine · about 21 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Mountain Pond
Photo credit
Lake Jocassee from a canoe, South Carolina. Photo: TimothyJ from Atlanta, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Mountain Pond.
Mountain Pond
Maine · about 27 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Quill Pond
Photo credit
Sunset at Lake Moultrie, South Carolina. Photo: Kcstanfield, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Quill Pond.
Quill Pond
Maine · about 29 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Pond In the River
Photo credit
Sunrise over Lake Marion from Santee State Park, South Carolina. Photo: Andrew Parlette from Elkridge,MD, US, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Pond In the River.
Pond In the River
Maine · about 37 mi

Regulations

Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.

Official designation: Special-regulation trout water

Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.

Special-regulation trout water
On the Special Fishing Laws — artificial lures only (ALO) waters list (Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), read 2026-10-20). All waters with this designation

The water on the map

Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-04) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.

Whole Sandy River, not only this reach.

Length: 73.4 mi (71.4 in ME)
Drains: 595 sq mi
Drop: 1,609 ft · 21.9 ft/mi
Flows into: Kennebec River
Watershed: Lower Kennebec River

Guides and shops near Sandy River

Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.

Guides

GK
Grant's Kennebago Camps
Rangeley, ME · 30 mi
Lake & stillwater · Beginners & lessons · Kennebago River
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
MO
Maineiac Outfitter, LLC
Clinton, ME · 34 mi
Wade trips · Drift boat · West Branch Penobscot & Kennebec
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing: Maine TOGUS
Augusta, ME · 37 mi
McKenzie River
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
Western Maine Guide Service
Bethel, ME · 37 mi
Wade trips · Drift boat · Kennebec & Magalloway
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide
Kennebec River Angler
Caratunk, ME · 38 mi
Float trips · Drift boat · Kennebec & West Branch Penobscot
- Unclaimed
Nearby
View guide

All Maine guides

Shops nearby

No shop nearby yet.

All Maine shops

Species and hatches

What 4 nearby guide websites mention: what guides advertise, not a survey or a promise of what you will catch.

Named on 4 nearby guide websites

Brook trout4
Brown trout4
Rainbow trout3
Salmon3
Smallmouth bass3

Plan your stay

Fishing lodges nearby

All lodges

Stony Brook Outfitters
Wilton, Maine
River cabins · 4.2 mi
- Unclaimed

Getting there

AUG · Augusta · 32 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
BGR · Bangor · 66 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
PWM · Portland · 73 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)

About this

Miles are straight-line distances, not drive times.
Airports: scheduled passenger service, from OurAirports (public domain) (2026-11-04).
Lodges are listed when their own website talks about fishing. Prices and availability are the lodge's own.

Rangeley Lakes

Rangeley sits between Rangeley Lake and Mooselookmeguntic Lake in western Maine, with the Kennebago, Magalloway and Rapid rivers draining the same chain of lakes.

Destination hub · 11 mi away in a straight line

Open the hub Plan a trip here

Gear checklist

A practical checklist for fly fishing small mountain trout streams: a short 3–4 weight rod, light line, a few buoyant dries and simple wet-wading gear, with estimated prices and where to buy.

An angler stands on a boulder at the edge of a fast forest stream and fishes the run

Small mountain streams

7′6″–8′6″ rod, 3–4 weight, floating line · Brook, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout

Open the checklist

Videos for this water (5)

Watch: reading a trout stream

Seams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

How I Learned to Read Water (Fly Fishing)Embedded from YouTube · Mad River Outfitters · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
How To Read The Water with Tom RosenbauerEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Reading the Water to Successfully Locate TroutEmbedded from YouTube · Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on reading water

Watch: nymphing basics

Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

90° Nymph RigEmbedded from YouTube · Huge Fly Fisherman · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Casting with an Indicator & Better Nymphing TechniquesEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on nymphing

Fish Tales

Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Sandy River.

No stories from here yet.

Write the first story Share your day

Sources for this page

Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.

Something wrong?

All 13 sources and dates

A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.

Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge SANDY RIVER NEAR FARMINGTON, ME. Water type is our own classification.

Sandy River near Mercer, Maine

USGS 01048000 · NWS MERM1

Caution: Low water: go quiet and stealthy

Flow 82.4 ft³/s: much below normal (under the 10th percentile) for Nov 5, over 90 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey

What the agencies suggest

Stay low and approach slowly. Approach the stream carefully and with a low profile Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Work upstream. Fishing upstream will usually spook fewer fish than working downstream Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Look to deep pools and undercut banks. Deep pools and undercut banks provide refuge during sunny days and low water Minnesota 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.

Discharge: 82.4 ft³/s
Gauge height: 2.7 ft

Reading Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Much below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
NWS action stage (7,655 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS minor flood stage (14,759 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS moderate flood stage (31,487 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS major flood stage (40,756 ft³/s): above the range shown
Latest: 82.4 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST	82.4	2.7
Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST	82.4	2.7
Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST	82.4	2.7
Nov 5, 3:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 2:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 5, 12:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 5, 11:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 5, 9:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 5, 8:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 6:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 5:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 4:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 3:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 2:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 1:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 5, 12:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 11:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 10:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 9:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 8:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 7:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 6:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 5:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 4:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 3:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 2:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 1:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 12:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 11:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 10:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 9:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 8:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 7:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 6:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 5:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 4:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 3:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 2:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 4, 12:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 11:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 10:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 9:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 8:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 7:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 6:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 5:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 4:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 3:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 2:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 1:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 12:00 PM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 3, 11:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 9:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 8:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 6:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 5:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 2:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 3, 12:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 11:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 9:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 8:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 6:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 5:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 3:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 2:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 12:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 11:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 9:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 8:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 6:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 3:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 2:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 2, 12:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 11:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 9:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 8:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 5:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 3:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 2:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 12:00 PM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 11:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 9:00 AM EST	78.8	2.68
Nov 1, 8:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 6:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 5:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 3:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 2:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 1:00 AM EDT	80.6	2.69
Nov 1, 12:00 AM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 10:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 6:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 4:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 3:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 1:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 12:00 PM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 11:00 AM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 9:00 AM EDT	82.4	2.7
Oct 31, 8:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 7:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 6:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 5:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 4:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 3:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 2:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 1:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 31, 12:00 AM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 10:00 PM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 9:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 8:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 7:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 6:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 5:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 4:00 PM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 3:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 2:00 PM EDT	84.2	2.71
Oct 30, 1:00 PM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 11:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 10:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 9:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 8:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 7:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 6:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 5:00 AM EDT	86.1	2.72
Oct 30, 4:00 AM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 30, 3:00 AM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 30, 2:00 AM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 29, 11:00 PM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 29, 10:00 PM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 29, 9:00 PM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 29, 8:00 PM EDT	88	2.73
Oct 29, 7:00 PM EDT	88	2.73

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 314–1,140 ft³/s (middle half of 90 years of record). Now: 82.4 ft³/s, much below normal.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 68 ft³/s, highest 4,340 ft³/s.

Steady over 24 hours (+2.2% 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.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

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 2.7 ft stage, 82 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST (NWS gauge MERM1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 8 ft
Minor flood: 10 ft
Moderate flood: 14 ft
Major flood: 16 ft

NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 10:32 AM EST. Highest point: 3.4 ft, 306 ft³/s on Nov 7, 7:00 PM EST (Below NWS action stage).

NWS forecast, highest value each day
Day	Stage	Flow
Thu, Nov 5	2.7 ft	82 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 6	2.7 ft	82 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 7	3.4 ft	306 ft³/s
Sun, Nov 8	3.4 ft	306 ft³/s

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Maine IF&W uses are 68°F.

Species

This gauge is on our page for Sandy River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

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.

Open the USGS gauge page

Sandy River

Today on the Sandy River

Limited data: Not enough data: no water temperature or flow statistics here

What this level means general guidance

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Species

Safety

Caution: Low water: go quiet and stealthy

What this level means general guidance

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Species

Safety

Limited data: Not enough data: no water temperature or flow statistics here

What this level means general guidance

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Species

Safety

Follow Sandy River for flow alerts

Where to fish

Sandy River on the map

Restrooms near Sandy River

1Restroom

More water near Sandy River

Regulations

The water on the map

Guides and shops near Sandy River

Guides

Shops nearby

Species and hatches

Plan your stay

Fishing lodges nearby

Getting there

Rangeley Lakes

Gear checklist

Small mountain streams

Watch: reading a trout stream

Watch: nymphing basics

Fish Tales

Sources for this page

Limited data: Not enough data: no water temperature or flow statistics here

What this level means general guidance

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Species

Safety

Caution: Low water: go quiet and stealthy

What this level means general guidance

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Species

Safety

Limited data: Not enough data: no water temperature or flow statistics here

What this level means general guidance

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Species

Safety

Plan your stay

Fishing lodges nearby

Getting there

Restroom