Nibi Metrics
Real-time water levels, forecasts, and alerts for lakes and rivers across Canada and the US. Built on official government data.
Nibi Metrics turns raw gauge readings from official hydrometric networks into something a person standing on a dock can actually use: is the water high or low for today, which way is it moving, and how unusual is this? This page explains where every number on the platform comes from and what we do to it along the way.
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Why Central and South Texas rivers go from gravel beds to fifty-year records in an afternoon - including July 2026 on the Nueces.
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SF Wailua River near Lihue, Kauai Water Level
Live river level, flow, historical records and forecast for SF Wailua River near Lihue, Kauai in HI, United States, built from official government gauge data.
- Location HI, United States
- Watershed kauai
- Primary gauge 16060000 (USGS)
About SF Wailua River near Lihue, Kauai
SF Wailua River - A vital piece of Kauai's hydrology.
The SF Wailua River, located near Lihue on the island of Kauai, is integral to the island's unique water system. This river is part of a dynamic network that experiences rapid changes in water levels, driven primarily by intense rainfall events. The hydrology of Kauai is characterized by its tropical climate, which leads to quick flash floods in steep basins. Without a snowmelt season, the water flow in the SF Wailua River can rise dramatically within minutes or hours, particularly during trade-wind and Kona storm events.
The watershed context
The SF Wailua River drains an area of approximately 23.7 square miles, positioning it within the wider Kauai watershed. This represents an important catchment that collects rainfall and runoff from the surrounding highlands before channeling it downstream. The river is flanked by several smaller streams and tributaries, such as the East Branch of the North Fork Wailua River and Hanalei River, contributing to the complex hydrological picture of the region.
Nearby water bodies, including Halaulani Stream and Hanapepe River, further underscore the interconnectivity of water systems on the island. This connectivity is crucial for sustaining Kauai’s ecosystems and providing water resources for both natural habitats and human use.
Why the data matters here
Monitoring the SF Wailua River is essential for understanding its patterns of flow and change. The data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) allows residents, farmers, and emergency services to prepare for the rapid rises in water levels synonymous with the tropical island's weather.
Evaluating the river's current reading against seasonal norms also serves an important function. Understanding today's flow compared to the median for this calendar day helps contextualize whether the current conditions are typical or noteworthy. This historical context—drawing on over 50 years of records—enables local stakeholders to make informed decisions based on reliable data.
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
