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Weather Forecast Office Reno, NV

California Nevada River Forecast Center

Hydrograph

River at a Glance

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Inundation
Mapping

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About this graph

Tabular Data (UTC)

Tabular Data (PDT)

Datum: NGVD29

Metadata

NOTE: Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.

NOTE: Reported historic crests have been estimated using recent ratings due to previous channel, location and/or datum changes. USGS observed crests can be found at: waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt Please also see Additional Information tab at the bottom of this page.

Reliability of the Forecast: Based on current and forecast river, weather and reservoir conditions

NOTE: Forecasts for the Carson River near Carson City are issued routinely year-round.

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Upstream Gauge

Downstream Gauge

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	11
Moderate Flood Stage:	10.5
Flood Stage:	10
Action Stage:	8
Low Stage (in feet):	0

Historic Crests
(1) 19.19 ft on 01/03/1997
(2) 19.04 ft on 12/24/1955 (P)
(3) 16.46 ft on 02/01/1963 (P)
(4) 13.97 ft on 11/22/1950 (P)
(5) 12.90 ft on 02/18/1986 (P)
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 8.80 ft on 05/23/2023 (P)
(2) 9.28 ft on 03/11/2023 (P)
(3) 11.48 ft on 02/11/2017 (P)
(4) 10.24 ft on 01/10/2017 (P)
(5) 12.24 ft on 12/31/2005 (P)
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.

For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov.

Show FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers

Zoom Level:16

	Gauge Location	Disclaimer
Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.

Flood Impacts & Photos

If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
19	Record flooding with damage previously unknown from Carson Valley to Fort Churchill, including Carson City and Dayton areas. All towns along the Carson River above Lahontan Dam are likely cut off, with bridges and roads badly damaged or destroyed. Heavy damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Exceeding the January 1997 peak level, and about 1 in 100 chance of occurring in any given year.
18	Near Record Flooding, Massive Damage from Carson Valley to Fort Churchill, including the Carson City and Dayton areas. Towns along the Carson River above Lahontan Dam may be cut off. Bridges, roads, homes, and other infrastructure are badly damaged or destroyed. Just below the January 1997 peak level.
17	Approaching record flooding. All towns along the Carson River above Lahontan Dam may be inaccessible, with bridges and roads destroyed or badly damaged, including heavy damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Carson Valley becomes a lake 3 miles wide by 12 miles long, the river is over a half mile wide in places. Thousands of acres of farmland flooded. Peak flows near this level have only been exceeded twice in the 80+ year history of the gage (1997 and 1955),and about a 1 in 50 chance in any year.
16	Major flood disaster with massive destruction of homes and infrastructure from Genoa to Fort Churchill, including Carson City and Dayton. Many towns and developments are isolated, with transportation nearly impossible with severe damage to infrastructure and agricultural areas. This is roughly equivalent to the third largest flood in the gage history (Februrary 1963).
15	Flood disaster from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Transportation is extremely difficult, with road closures likely to be long duration. Very large number of structures affected with severe damage to infrastructure (roads, bridges, power, water, and communications). Most cultivated fields are underwater, with large livestock losses possible.
14	Massive flooding from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Transportation is extremely difficult. A large number of structures affected with severe damage to infrastructure (roads, bridges, power, water, and communications). Most cultivated fields are underwater, with large livestock losses possible. Roughly similar to the 4th largest flood in gage history.
13	Extensive flooding with major damage to roads, bridges, and structures from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Almost all roads in valley areas flooded, making transportation very difficult. Massive bank erosion is possible. Large agricultural losses are likely due to erosion and rapid flow, including potential livestock drownings if not moved to higher ground.
12.5	Extensive flooding with major damage to roads, bridges, and structures from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Move livestock and equipment to higher ground if possible. Roughly similar to December 31, 2005 peak level.
12	Major flooding with significant damage to roads, bridges, and structures from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Many roads in valley areas flooded, making transportation very difficult. Major bank erosion is possible. Agricultural losses are likely due to erosion and rapid flow. Move livestock and machinery to higher ground if possible. US Hwy 395 near Cradlebaugh Bridge likely closed in advance of reaching this stage.
11.5	Major flooding with significant damage to roads, bridges, and structures from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Many roads in valley areas flooded, making transportation very difficult. Significant bank erosion is possible. Agricultural losses are possible due to erosion and rapid flow. Move livestock and machinery to higher ground if possible. Hwy 395 near Cradlebaugh Bridge likely closed in advance of reaching this stage. Similar peak level to February 2017 event.
11	Major flooding with many roads, highways, homes, and structures flooded from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City, Stewart, Empire, and Dayton. Many transportation routes affected, including US Hwy 395 near Cradlebaugh Bridge, which is likely closed six to twelve hours before this stage is observed. Significant bank erosion is possible with the capability of causing major damage as the river channel begins to move around laterally.
10.5	Moderate flooding from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Damage to roads, parks, bridges, crops, irrigation systems, and buildings in lower areas. Several homes and businesses could begin to flood in lower parts of Genoa, Carson Valley, Stewart, and Dayton. Transportation begins to be affected. Water likely impacts southbound Hwy 395 near Cradlebaugh Bridge 6 to 12 hours before this stage is observed. Similar to the January 2017 event.
10	Flood stage. Minor flooding of lower portions of flood plain from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. River begins to go out of banks at this stage. Several homes may begin to experience minor flooding in Genoa, Carson Valley, and Dayton. Minor to moderate damage to parks and agriculture.
9.5	Minor lowland flooding in flood prone areas along river from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton.
9	Minor lowland flooding in lower reaches from Genoa to Fort Churchill, including Carson City and Dayton, Nevada. Sandbagging maybe necessary in some of the lowest areas, though most flooding is limited to pasture areas along the river, and possible inundation of Morgan Mill road.
8.5	Very minor lowland flooding from Genoa to Fort Churchill, including Carson City and Dayton, Nevada. Sandbagging may be necessary in the Willow Bend area near Genoa to avoid minor flooding of private property. Prolonged flows near and above this level may result in significant bank erosion.
8	Monitoring stage. Flood threat and localized overbank flows begin in lowest areas from Genoa to Fort Churchill, including Carson City and Dayton along the Carson River. Especially flood prone areas include: lower Carson Valley, Willow Bend in Genoa; Empire Ranch Golf Course, Mexican Dam area, Pinion Hills, Snyder Lane, Morgan Mill Road, Brunswick Canyon, as well as parks and agricultural land in the floodplain. Preparations for flooding should begin in these areas if additional rises are forecast.
Photos (1) Downstream View from gage at 2.52 feet - taken 10/28/2008 (2) Upstream View from Gage at 2.52 feet - taken 10/28/2008

About This Location

Latitude: 39.107687° N, Longitude: 119.713233° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	10 ft	Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps
Vertical Datum	Elevation (gauge height = 0)	Elevation (gauge height = flood stage)	Elevation information source
NAVD88	Not Available	Not Available	Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29	4620.48	4630.48	Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL	Not Available	Not Available	Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other	Not Available	Not Available

Current/Historical Observations:

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data and Site Info for Carson City

Additional Information

Historic crests stages have been estimated using USGS Rating 19.0 (as of 10/18/2023) due to previous channel, location and/or datum changes. For observed crests please go to: https://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/peak/?site_no=10311000

Resources

Hydrologic Resources

Additional Resources

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.

NWS Information

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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:27 PM

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