River Conditions
Illustrated map of Lake Itasca

River stage

Alvarado, Snake River

River level
98.04 ft
Status
Below flood stage
Action stage
105.00 ft
Flood stage
106.00 ft
Record crest
110.88 ft

Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS ALVM5

Record crest
110.88 ft
Flood stage
106.00 ft
Moderate flood
108.00 ft
Major flood
110.00 ft
Crest date
1997-04-20

In brief

The Snake River at Alvarado, MN read 98.04 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 6.96 ft below action stage.

Source: National Weather Service gauge ALVM5

Stage threshold profile

Action stage 105.00 ftMinor flooding 106.00 ftModerate flooding 108.00 ftMajor flooding 110.00 ft CURRENT 98.04 ft

Highest crests on record

RankCrestDate
1 110.88 ft 1997-04-20
2 110.84 ft 1979-04-20
3 110.75 ft 2006-04-04
4 110.34 ft 1966-03-01
5 110.04 ft 1950-05-01
6 109.94 ft 1969-03-01
7 109.85 ft 2022-05-15
8 109.84 ft 2020-04-11

Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.

What happens at each level

  1. 93.36 ft

    Channel bottom (793.6 ft).

  2. 103.00 ft

    Gatewell "A" elevation (803.24 ft).

  3. 104.00 ft

    Gatewell "B" elevation (804.24 ft).

  4. 105.00 ft

    ACTION STAGE/FORECAST SERVICE STAGE.

  5. 106.00 ft

    MINOR FLOOD STAGE. Storm sewer flood gates are closed.

  6. 108.00 ft

    MODERATE FLOOD STAGE. Overland flooding of local agricultural land.

  7. 110.00 ft

    MAJOR FLOOD STAGE. Flooding between Hwy 1 and railroad grade due to backwater. Inspections of the dike begin.

  8. 111.00 ft

    Flooding begins in unprotected areas of Alvarado.

  9. 112.00 ft

    Water levels reach West Railroad.

  10. 112.50 ft

    Water levels reach East Railroad.

Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.

At this level: Channel bottom (793.6 ft).

Frequently asked questions

Is the Snake River flooding at Alvarado?

No. The Snake River at Alvarado is at 98.04 ft, 6.96 ft below action stage.

What is the flood stage at Alvarado?

The National Weather Service sets action stage 105 ft, minor flooding 106 ft, moderate flooding 108 ft and major flooding 110 ft.

What is the highest the Snake River has been at Alvarado?

The highest crest on record is 110.88 ft, on 1997-04-20.

Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge ALVM5); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05086000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.