Cottonwood River (MN) at New Ulm
Minnesota — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Brown County, Minnesota on the Cottonwood River (MN). Live water level data from USGS gauge 05317000, 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
16 ft
Moderate Flood
13 ft
Minor Flood
11 ft
Action Stage
9 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
22.75 ft
Water impacts Cottonwood Townhouses.
22 ft
Swimming pond at Flandrau SP closed and sandbagged for flood protection.
20 ft
Water begins to impact residence on Butternut Street
19 ft
All trails at Flandrau SP closed due to flooding
18 ft
Flood waters reach the back of the campground at Flandrau SP
13 ft
Flood waters begin to impact Cottonwood Street west of the river.
11 ft
Flood waters begin to impact low lying areas...and some roads along the river.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 7, 1965 | 20.86 ft | 26,000 cfs |
| Apr 7, 1965 | 20.86 ft | 26,000 cfs |
| Jun 24, 2024 | 19.72 ft | 20,600 cfs |
| Jun 24, 2024 | 19.72 ft | 20,600 cfs |
| Jul 6, 2018 | 19.64 ft | 20,200 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
NWUM5
River
Cottonwood River (MN)
County
Brown, MN
Coordinates
44.2894°N, 94.4386°W
Get Flood Alerts for Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood River (MN) at New Ulm?
The Cottonwood River (MN) at New Ulm gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05317000) 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 Cottonwood River (MN) at New Ulm?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Cottonwood River (MN) at New Ulm is 11 feet. Action stage begins at 9 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 13 feet, and major flooding at 16 feet.
How do I get alerts when Cottonwood River (MN) rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Cottonwood River (MN) at New Ulm 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 Cottonwood River (MN) at New Ulm gauge located?
The gauge is located in Brown County, Minnesota at coordinates 44.2894°N, 94.4386°W. USGS site number: 05317000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Cottonwood River (MN)
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Obs courtesy of USGS (05317000)
- 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.