Malheur River at Vale

Last updated: Jun 24, 2025, 2:38 PM UTC
No watches, warnings or advisories are in effect for this area.

Flood Impacts 🅘

  • 24 - The river level will be about three feet from overtopping the levee which protects the city of Vale from major flooding. Even though there is still approximately three feet between the surface of the river and the top of the levee, any rise above 24 feet will exceed the safe design capacity of the levee. Major flooding of other areas within the 100 year flood plain between Harper and Ontario is likely.
  • 23 - Water may begin flowing over Highway 20 near Harper. Numerous roads crossing the river between Harper and Ontario will be flooded with water entering houses near the 36th Street Bridge in Ontario. Foothill and Lagoon Drive near Vale may flood if Willow Creek is running high. Extensive inundation of farmland will occur between Harper and Ontario.
  • 22 - Extensive flooding of farmland between Harper and Ontario will occur. Numerous roads near the river will be flooded including Harper Bridge Road near Harper, Butte Drive between Vale and Ontario, and the 36th Street Bridge area just upstream from Ontario including Malheur Drive. Some houses may be surrounded by water. The river crest will take about 12 hours to move downstream from Harper to Vale, and another 8 hours to move from Vale to Ontario.

Gauge Info

Coordinates 43.9875, -117.219
RFC NWRFC
State OR
WFO BOI
County Malheur
Data Provider(s)
US Geological Survey USGS--Water Resources of the United States
USGS 13233300

Gauge Location

Recent Crests

1. 23.55 ft on 02-25-2025 (P)
2. 15.99 ft on 04-16-2024
3. 21.56 ft on 04-12-2023
4. 12.35 ft on 10-28-2021
5. 12.14 ft on 10-21-2020

Historic Crests

1. 24.58 ft on 02-24-1957
2. 23.80 ft on 02-22-1982
3. 23.55 ft on 02-25-2025 (P)
4. 23.31 ft on 03-19-1993
5. 22.58 ft on 01-18-2011

Vertical Datum Table

type NAVD88
major Flooding 2233.81 ft
moderate Flooding 2231.81 ft
minor Flooding 2230.31 ft
action 2229.81 ft
Latest Value 2222.03 ft
Gauge Zero 2210.81 ft

Gauge Photos

Photo 1 of 5

VALO3 gauge equipment.

Probability Information

Photo 1 of 1

Unique Local Info

The vertical datum for this gauge was lowered 10 feet on February 12, 2015 to avoid negative gauge heights.

Collaborative Agencies

The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.

WFO Information

Weather Forecast Office
Boise
NIFC Building 3807
Boise, ID 83705-5354
Official Homepage