Nibi Metrics - live water levels, flow, and forecasts for lakes and rivers across Canada and the US
Real-time water levels, forecasts, and alerts for lakes and rivers across Canada and the US. Built on official government data.
Nibi Metrics tracks more than 13,000 gauged lakes and rivers across Canada and the United States, reading directly from official federal monitoring networks: the Water Survey of Canada, the United States Geological Survey, and Quebec's provincial hydrometric network. Every number on the platform is measured, not modelled - taken from a government gauge on the water itself and compared against that location's own historical record for this exact date.
What you can see for any monitored lake or river
The level right now, in feet or metres, updated as the source agency publishes new readings - for many stations that is every five to fifteen minutes. How today compares to typical: every location carries its own typical-for-this-date band built from its historical record, so a reading is never just a number - it is above, below, or near what this water usually does on this calendar day. Which way it is moving: a measured RISING, FALLING, or STEADY verdict computed from the gauge's own recent readings, with the rate of change - the difference between a flood ending and one beginning. What comes next: level forecasts up to 72 hours ahead, driven by the gauge's recent behaviour, upstream water, and quantitative precipitation forecasts, alongside live radar, lightning, and weather for the surrounding region.
Alerts that watch the water for you
Set a threshold on any location - a level, a distance above typical, or a rate of climb - and Nibi emails or notifies you the moment the gauge crosses it. Cottagers use it for spring freshet, anglers for river conditions, marinas and municipalities for operations. The scanning runs around the clock against the same measured data shown on every page.
Where Nibi comes from
Nibi means water in Anishinaabemowin. The platform began at a family cottage on Lake Muskoka, Ontario, where the spring melt floods the shoreline most years and the only forecast was standing on the dock, looking, and guessing. It grew into an independent, member-funded platform run by Muskoka Research Inc. - no investors, no data resale, and a privacy policy shorter than most cookie banners. The core data is free for everyone, forever; paid plans add automation like multi-location alerts, deep history, and reports.
Coverage
Nibi spans the continent: every Canadian province and territory with active federal gauges - from Vancouver Island rivers to the Muskoka lakes, prairie reservoirs, and Quebec's hydrometric network - and the United States from Maine to the Texas Hill Country, the Ohio Valley, and the Pacific Northwest. Coverage grows where the water news is: when a basin floods, its gauges join the platform with their full historical records attached. Many stations report every five to fifteen minutes; most report at least hourly; every page states exactly when its gauge last spoke.
Free forever, funded by members
The core promise is simple: the water data is free, for everyone, forever. Live levels, maps, radar, and recent history never sit behind a paywall. Paid plans fund the platform by adding automation - multi-location alerts, decades of history, longer forecasts, and PDF reports - so the people who need more carry the cost for everyone who just needs to check the lake before driving up. There are no investors and no advertising deals shaping what the data says.
Water Stories
Field notes and explainers from the Nibi desk - how to read a staff gauge, what a 100-year flood actually means, how snowpack becomes summer water.
For five years, spring 2019 was the mark every Lake Muskoka decision answered to. In April 2026 the lake went two centimeters higher - and the official books have not caught up yet.
Inside the freshet cycle that puts Manitoba shorelines at risk each year - and why 2026 broke the script.
The science of snow water equivalent and why it drives the season ahead.
What the numbers on the measuring stick actually tell you.
Why Central and South Texas rivers go from gravel beds to fifty-year records in an afternoon - including July 2026 on the Nueces.
One percent, every year, forever - unwrapping hydrology's most misunderstood phrase, and how it differs from our own percentiles.
How every number is computed - About the platform
Medina River at Bandera Water Level
Live lake level, flow, historical records and forecast for Medina River at Bandera in TX, United States, built from official government gauge data.
- Water body Medina Rv at Bandera
- Location TX, United States
- Watershed medina
- Primary gauge 08178880 (USGS)
About Medina River at Bandera
Medina River - A vital waterway in Texas' landscape.
The Medina River at Bandera serves as an essential water resource within its namesake watershed. Flowing through the heart of Bandera, Texas, this river offers insights into the underlying hydrological processes that shape the region. As part of a substantial catchment area of approximately 328 square miles, the Medina River plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting local communities.
The watershed context
The Medina River flows through a diverse environment characterized by Texas’ unique climate patterns. With the region experiencing flash-flood hydrology, significant rainfall can drive abrupt rises in water levels, reflecting the river's responsiveness to weather events. The river has low-flow stretches between these rainfall events, which further underscores the importance of understanding hydrological dynamics in areas prone to quick changes in water conditions.
Nearby water bodies, including Culebra Creek and Helotes Creek, interact within the same watershed, contributing to the local hydrological network. This interconnectedness enhances the ecological health of the region and influences water quality and availability for various uses, including recreation, agriculture, and habitat support.
Why the data matters here
Measuring water levels and flow at the Medina River station contributes valuable information to local stakeholders, enabling informed decision-making related to water management and environmental conservation. The U.S. Geological Survey operates this station, measuring both elevation and discharge to offer a comprehensive view of hydrological trends.
With a historical record extending over 44 years, today’s reading gives insight into the current water level compared to median levels for this calendar day. Tracking these changes is crucial, as it allows for better anticipation of potential flooding events and supports ongoing efforts to safeguard both property and natural ecosystems. Understanding these measurements helps local residents, farmers, and flood-watchers to plan effectively and respond appropriately to the changing conditions of the Medina River.
How this page is built
Readings come from official government gauges and are rolled into daily records: the daily mean, high and low for every day on record. Each calendar day gets its own baseline from the full history, so the level you see is compared against what this specific date usually looks like rather than an annual average.
How Nibi Metrics works · Water stories
