Kennebec River at The Forks
Maine · Paddling & whitewater
Measured at USGS 01042500 — Kennebec River at The Forks, Maine · NWS forecast point FRKM1
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:45 PM UTC
Too low for most boats — rocky and technical
At 452 CFS, this gauge is running 19% of normal for late July — below the 2,370 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 122 years of record (1904–2026).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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12 months of flow at The Forks
Daily values from USGS gauge 01042500. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at The Forks
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 14.41 ft | 28,300 CFS | Apr 18, 1983 |
| 13.78 ft | 30,300 CFS | Jun 1, 1984 |
| 12.68 ft | 24,900 CFS | Dec 22, 1973 |
| 11.06 ft | 21,600 CFS | Sep 25, 1981 |
| 11.01 ft | 21,500 CFS | May 21, 1969 |
| 10.95 ft | 20,600 CFS | Dec 19, 2023 |
| 10.70 ft | 18,900 CFS | Apr 28, 1945 |
| 10.58 ft | 18,700 CFS | May 9, 1947 |
| 10.37 ft | 20,200 CFS | Jun 19, 1969 |
| 10.10 ft | 17,800 CFS | Sep 15, 1954 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Kennebec River at The Forks
This gauge measures Kennebec River at The Forks, Maine — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters on this stretch check before committing to a shuttle.
Harris Station release rafting.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 2,370 CFS for late July, from 122 years of record.
Kennebec River at The Forks — common questions
What is the current flow on Kennebec River at The Forks?
As of the last reading on this page, Kennebec River at The Forks was running 452 CFS at a gage height of 1.93 ft, or 19% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 01042500, which reports every 15 to 60 minutes.
Is that high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for late July at this gauge is 2,370 CFS, calculated from 122 years of record (1904–2026). Comparing today's reading against that median is the only way a raw CFS number tells you anything — 200 CFS is a drought on one river and a flood on another.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from this gauge every 15 to 60 minutes. This page bakes in the most recent reading when it is rebuilt, then refreshes live from USGS when you open it. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by USGS.
What is a runnable level on this stretch?
riverlvl deliberately does not publish a runnable range. American Whitewater and the local paddling community maintain the correlations for this reach, and they are the authority. This page gives you the raw inputs — current CFS, gage height, the seasonal median, and the 12-month hydrograph — so you can apply whatever range you trust.
How fast can this gauge come up?
This is a free-flowing gauge, so it rises with rain in the basin. The 12-month chart on this page shows the shape of the past year's rises, which is the best available guide to how flashy this particular reach is.
Where does this data come from?
The flow and gage height come from USGS gauge 01042500, public-domain data from the U.S. Geological Survey. The flood categories, impact statements and forecast come from the National Weather Service's National Water Prediction Service, gauge FRKM1.