USWaterLevels
💧 Real-Time Quality Scores

US Water Quality Index

Our composite Water Quality Score combines temperature, reservoir levels, and flow rates to rate conditions for swimming, fishing, and recreation.

1,638
Active Stations
71.3°F
National Avg Temp
2,216
Ideal Temp (65–78°F)
0
≥85% Pool Level

How We Calculate Water Quality Score (0–100)

40 pts
🌡️ Temperature

Maximum points when water temp is near ideal 71.5°F (22°C) for most recreational activities.

30 pts
⛰️ Reservoir Level

Full points when reservoir is at or near full pool capacity. Low levels reduce score.

30 pts
🌊 Flow Rate

Moderate, stable flow (100–5,000 cfs) earns full points. Extreme highs or lows reduce score.

🟢 Excellent (80–100) 🟩 Good (60–79) 🟡 Fair (40–59) 🔴 Poor (0–39)
#161
35
score

Black Lake Bayou North Of Castor, La

Louisiana · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 8 ft Updated: Jul 25
#162
35
score

Bayou Darby Near Lake Fausse Point Cut

Louisiana · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 12 ft Updated: Jul 25
#163
35
score

Henderson Bayou Pump Station Near Port Vincent, La

Louisiana · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 1 ft Updated: Jul 25
#164
32
score

Mississippi River At Baton Rouge, La

Louisiana · River
Poor
🌡️ 87.8°F ⛰️ 19 ft 🌊 473,000 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#165
25
score

Bayou Des Cannes Near Eunice, La

Louisiana · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 3 ft 🌊 95 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#166
25
score

Tickfaw River At Liverpool, La

Louisiana · River
Poor
⛰️ 2 ft 🌊 43 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#167
25
score

Bayou Macon Nr Kilbourne, La

Louisiana · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 4 ft 🌊 25 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#168
25
score

Bayou Grand Cane Near Stanley, La

Louisiana · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 3 ft 🌊 0 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#169
25
score

Saline Bayou Near Lucky, La

Louisiana · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 3 ft 🌊 11 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#170
25
score

Atchafalaya River At Simmesport, La

Louisiana · River
Poor
⛰️ 16 ft 🌊 198,000 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#171
25
score

Little Corney Bayou Near Lillie, La

Louisiana · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 3 ft 🌊 11 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#172
25
score

Beaucoup Ck Nr Cotton Plant, La

Louisiana · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 4 ft 🌊 14 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#173
25
score

Bayou Anacoco Near Rosepine, La

Louisiana · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 3 ft 🌊 35 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#174
25
score

Boeuf River At Ark/La State Line

Louisiana · River
Poor
⛰️ 3 ft 🌊 0 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#175
25
score

Bayou Dorcheat Near Springhill, La

Louisiana · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 5 ft 🌊 32 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#176
25
score

Red River 6.5 Miles Below Black River, La

Louisiana · River
Poor
⛰️ 17 ft 🌊 19,800 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#177
25
score

Tensas River At Tendal, La

Louisiana · River
Poor
⛰️ 8 ft 🌊 81 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#178
25
score

Natalbany River At Baptist, La

Louisiana · River
Poor
⛰️ 4 ft 🌊 54 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#179
25
score

Tchefuncte River Near Folsom, La

Louisiana · River
Poor
⛰️ 5 ft 🌊 65 cfs Updated: Jul 25
#180
25
score

Bayou Lafourche Near Crew Lake, La

Louisiana · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 1 ft 🌊 100 cfs Updated: Jul 25
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Understanding the Water Quality Index

The US Water Quality Index is a composite score designed to give anglers, swimmers, boaters, and outdoor enthusiasts a quick, at-a-glance assessment of water body conditions. Unlike traditional water quality indices that focus on chemical pollutants (which require laboratory analysis), our index uses real-time USGS sensor data to reflect physical conditions relevant to recreation.

Temperature Component (40 points)

Water temperature is the most important factor for recreational fishing, swimming, and wildlife activity. The ideal range for most activities — comfortable for swimming, optimal for bass and walleye fishing — is approximately 65–78°F (18–26°C). Our scoring peaks at 71.5°F and decreases proportionally as temperature moves away from this ideal.

Reservoir Level Component (30 points)

Reservoir levels (measured as a percentage of full pool) reflect drought conditions, drought recovery, flood risk, and overall ecosystem health. A reservoir at full pool (100%) scores maximum points. Severely depleted reservoirs — common during drought — score fewer points. This metric is particularly relevant in western states where water storage is critical.

Flow Rate Component (30 points)

River discharge (measured in cubic feet per second, cfs) indicates safe boating, wading, and kayaking conditions. Moderate, stable flow rates between 100–5,000 cfs are typically ideal for most recreation. Extremely high flows indicate flood risk, while extremely low flows suggest drought stress and limited habitat for fish.