A stream computing application may be configured to manage the flow of tuples through a section of an operator graph. A window may be generated over one or more stream operators. The window may include breakpoint thresholds that set the maximum flow of tuples within the window. The stream operators within the window may be monitored to determine the flow of tuples occurring within the window using tuple flow counts. The tuple flow counts may be compared to the breakpoint thresholds to determine whether a breakpoint condition has occurred. If a breakpoint condition has occurred, a tuple flow change may be implemented to reduce the flow of tuples within the window.