Safety & conditions
Data sources, hazard categories, and the limitations of DontDieFishing's safety information.
Data sources
DontDieFishing aggregates conditions from multiple authoritative sources:
| Data | Source | Refresh |
|---|---|---|
| Stream level & flow | USGS NWIS gauges | 15 min |
| Weather & forecasts | NOAA / NWS | Hourly |
| Tide data | NOAA CO-OPS | 6 min |
| Water temperature | USGS + community | Hourly |
| Flood warnings | NWS AHPS | Real-time |
| Hazard reports | Community + land managers | As reported |
Safety status
The green / yellow / red status is computed from:
- Green — no active warnings, water within normal range, weather favorable
- Yellow — elevated but not dangerous: rising water, moderate wind, reduced visibility, or a nearby (not spot-specific) advisory
- Red — active danger: flood stage exceeded, lightning within 10 miles, strong current advisory, or a spot-specific hazard report
Status updates automatically as conditions change. You can enable push alerts for saved spots to be notified on status transitions.
Hazard categories
- Current — strong or unexpected water flow (dam releases, tidal surge)
- Flood — water above safe wading/fishing levels
- Weather — lightning, high wind, extreme cold/heat
- Access — unsafe banks, washed-out roads, closed areas
- Water quality — harmful algae bloom, contamination advisory
- Wildlife — alligator, snake, or large predator activity
Limitations
DontDieFishing is a decision-support tool, not a guarantee of safety. Conditions can change faster than data refreshes. Community reports are unverified observations. Always assess conditions in person before entering the water, and never fish alone in remote areas.
- USGS gauges are point measurements — conditions may differ upstream or downstream of the gauge
- Weather forecasts are probabilistic, not deterministic
- Community reports reflect one observer's judgment at one point in time
- Some spots have no nearby gauge or weather station; these show limited data
Reporting a hazard
Tap Report Hazard on any spot page. Select the hazard type, add a description and optional photo, and submit. Reports are reviewed and typically appear within one hour. Urgent hazards (immediate danger to life) are flagged for priority review.