Major Flood
11 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
9 ft
Minor Flood
8 ft
Action Stage
7.5 ft
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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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 1921 | 11.3 ft | 3,000 cfs |
| Jun 22, 2000 | 10.86 ft | 2,200 cfs |
| Apr 1, 2006 | 10.82 ft | 2,420 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
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.
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.
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.
More Gauges on Buffalo River (MN)
On This River
Downstream: Buffalo River (MN) near Glyndon (CSAH19)
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.