StormCast — Weather & Emergency Alerts

Buffalo River (MN) near Hawley
Minnesota — Water Level & Flood Stage

Located in Clay County, Minnesota on the Buffalo River (MN). Live water level data from USGS gauge 05061000, updated every 15 minutes.

Current Water Level

Gage Height

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Streamflow

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Last Reading

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Flood Stages

Major Flood

11 ft

Moderate Flood

9 ft

Minor Flood

8 ft

Action Stage

7.5 ft

744 cfs

Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.

What Floods at Each Level

11 ft

MAJOR FLOOD STAGE.

9 ft

MODERATE FLOOD STAGE. Railroad underpass at US Hwy 10 floods.

8 ft

MINOR FLOOD STAGE. Parts of Hawley City Park begin to flood.

7.5 ft

ACTION STAGE/FORECAST SERVICE STAGE.

Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.

7-Day Water Level Chart

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View Official NWS Hydrograph →

Historic Crests

Date Stage Flow
Jan 1, 192111.3 ft3,000 cfs
Jan 1, 192111.3 ft3,000 cfs
Jun 22, 200010.86 ft2,200 cfs
Jun 22, 200010.86 ft2,200 cfs
Apr 1, 200610.82 ft2,420 cfs

About This Gauge

USGS Site

05061000

NWS LID

HWYM5

River

Buffalo River (MN)

County

Clay, MN

Coordinates

46.8520°N, 96.3291°W

Get Flood Alerts for Buffalo River (MN)

StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current water level of Buffalo River (MN) near Hawley?

The Buffalo River (MN) near Hawley gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05061000) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.

What is flood stage for Buffalo River (MN) near Hawley?

The NWS-defined flood stage for Buffalo River (MN) near Hawley is 8 feet. Action stage begins at 7.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 9 feet, and major flooding at 11 feet.

How do I get alerts when Buffalo River (MN) rises?

Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Buffalo River (MN) near Hawley to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.

Where is the Buffalo River (MN) near Hawley gauge located?

The gauge is located in Clay County, Minnesota at coordinates 46.8520°N, 96.3291°W. USGS site number: 05061000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.

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Source & Notes

Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey