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Understanding CFS: Converting Cubic Feet Per Second to m³/s
Understand US streamflow discharge in CFS, how it compares to Canadian m³/s, and conversion formulas for cross-border river runners.
RRiverable Canada Hydrology Team
·⏱️ 4 min read··💡Key Field Takeaways
- ✔1 CFS = 0.02832 m³/s (approximately 28.32 litres per second).
- ✔Multiply m³/s by 35.315 to get CFS; multiply CFS by 0.0283 to get m³/s.
- ✔350 CFS is roughly equivalent to 10 m³/s.
- ✔Used universally across US Geological Survey (USGS) monitoring gauges.
What is CFS (Cubic Feet Per Second)? #
Cubic Feet per Second (CFS) is the imperial discharge unit used primarily in the United States by the USGS (United States Geological Survey). If you paddle transboundary waters or consult US river guidebooks, understanding how CFS translates into Canadian metric m³/s is essential.
Conversion Formula:
$$\text{Flow (m}^3\text{/s)} = \frac{\text{Flow (CFS)}}{35.3147}$$
$$\text{Flow (CFS)} = \text{Flow (m}^3\text{/s)} \times 35.3147$$
Quick Conversion Reference:
- ✦ 35 CFS $\approx$ 1 m³/s (trickling headwater creek)
- ✦ 350 CFS $\approx$ 10 m³/s (standard recreational float flow)
- ✦ 1,000 CFS $\approx$ 28.3 m³/s (brisk canoe or whitewater current)
- ✦ 3,500 CFS $\approx$ 100 m³/s (large fast river)