Methow River near Pateros, WA

Eastern Washington · USGS gauge 12449950 · Updated Oct 24, 2:37 PM PDT · USGS data, provisional

All 2 Methow River gauges in Washington

Too low313 cfs● steady (+0% in 24 h)

Reading time: Oct 24, 2:15 PM PDT · Provisional data

Flow is far below normal for the date. Expect shallow riffles and slower water; some stretches may be hard to float and fish can be stressed by low flows. Check local reports for the specific stretch.

Vs. normal for this date
6th percentile
Typical range (25th–75th)
370–528 cfs
Median for this date
442 cfs
7-day low / high
313 / 317 cfs

Plain-language explanation

Methow River near Pateros is flowing at 313 cubic feet per second (cfs) as of Oct 24, 2:15 PM PDT. That is among the lowest flows on record for this time of year: lower than about 94% of the daily flows this gauge has recorded for this date (give or take 7 days) over 68 years of record (1959–2026).

The middle half of those historical flows runs from 370 to 528 cfs, with a median of 442 cfs; the lowest 10% of days are at or below 322 cfs and the highest 10% at or above 687 cfs.

Over the last 24 hours the flow has been steady (+0.0%). In the last 7 days it ranged from 313 to 317 cfs.

Why this status: Flow is at or below the seasonal 10th percentile and in the lower 40% of all days on record.

Quick answers

Is the Methow River near Pateros fishable today?

Flowcast's status for the Methow River near Pateros is “Too low”: flow is 313 cfs, well below normal for the date, at the 6th percentile for this date (as of Oct 24, 2:15 PM PDT). That describes flow only. It says nothing about water clarity, temperature, fish activity, access or fishing regulations.

What is the current flow of the Methow River near Pateros?

313 cubic feet per second at USGS gauge 12449950 as of Oct 24, 2:15 PM PDT, provisional data.

Is the Methow River near Pateros too high or too low right now?

It is on the low side: below the typical range for the date (370 to 528 cfs).

Is the Methow River near Pateros rising or falling?

Over the last 24 hours the flow has been steady (+0.0%).

What is a normal flow for the Methow River near Pateros in October?

For this date (give or take 7 days) the median is 442 cfs and the middle half of days runs 370 to 528 cfs, over 68 years of USGS record.

7-day trend

307311315319323Sun 10/18Mon 10/19Tue 10/20Wed 10/21Thu 10/22Fri 10/23Sat 10/24

Hourly flow in cfs, Pacific time. The shaded band is the typical range (25th–75th percentile) for this date, shown when it falls within the chart.

Day (Pacific)Mean cfsPercentileStatus that day
Sun Oct 1831711thFishable/Floatable
Mon Oct 1931710thFishable/Floatable
Tue Oct 203179thToo low
Wed Oct 213179thToo low
Thu Oct 223178thToo low
Fri Oct 233167thToo low
Sat Oct 24 (so far)3136thToo low

Seasonal context

1002005001,0002,0005,00010,00020,00050,000100,000JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Shaded band: 10th–90th percentile of daily flows through the year; dashed line: median. Log scale. Dot: today's flow. Based on 68 years of USGS daily data (1959–2026).

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Official resources

Links go to the agencies' own websites and were checked as working. Flowcast does not summarize fishing or boating rules: regulations and closures change, and the agency pages are the authority.

About this gauge

USGS site
USGS-12449950
USGS name
Methow River Near Pateros, Wa
Drainage area
1,772 sq mi
Location
48.0774, -119.9851
Record in this analysis
1959–2026
Data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Readings are provisional and subject to revision. Flowcast statuses are automated comparisons with each gauge's own history, not safety ratings or fishing reports. Check local conditions, weather, regulations and closures before you go. Rivers can change quickly.

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