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This probabilistic forecast is issued by the Northwest River Forecast Center.
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About this graph
Forecasts for the Malheur River at Vale are issued routinely year-round.

Vertical datum height surveyed by the USGS

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Zoom Level:14
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 23
Moderate Flood Stage: 21
Flood Stage: 19.5
Action Stage: 19
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

Historic Crests
(1) 24.58 ft on 02/24/1957
(2) 23.80 ft on 02/22/1982
(3) 23.31 ft on 03/19/1993
(4) 22.58 ft on 01/18/2011
(5) 22.05 ft on 01/01/2006
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 21.56 ft on 04/12/2023
(2) 12.35 ft on 10/28/2021
(3) 12.14 ft on 10/21/2020
(4) 12.53 ft on 11/01/2019
(5) 16.45 ft on 03/25/2019
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.
KML Image
Gauge LocationGauge Map Marker
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 Collapse
If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
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, Airport Road and Russel Road near Vale, 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.
21 Flood waters will rise above low spots on Copeland Road near Harper. Butte Drive will be flooded with water greater than 1 foot deep between the bridge and Foothill Drive. The area near the 36th Street Bridge upstream from Ontario will flood with water flowing over low spots on Malheur Drive. Debris damming on the 36th Street Bridge may be a problem. Flood waters will cover portions of Airport Road and Russel Road southwest of Vale when Bully Creek is contributing little water.
20.5 Flooding of some county roads near the river will occur, including Westfall Road near Harper.
19.5 The river will begin spilling over its bank flooding farmland between Vale and Ontario. Water will begin approaching low spots on Butte Drive. Water will approach the 36th Street Bridge upstream from Ontario about 8 hours after flood stage is exceeded near Vale.
Photos
(1) VALO3 gauge equipment.
(2) Cross channel view from right bank.
(3) Downstream view from gauge.
(4) Upstream view from gauge.
(5) Upstream view toward Nevada Canal diversion.

Other Real-time and/or Archive Data Sources:

Additional Information Collapse
The vertical datum for this gauge was lowered 10 feet on February 12, 2015 to avoid negative gauge heights.
Collaborative Agencies Collapse
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
National Weather Service
Boise Weather Forecast Office
NIFC Building 3807
Boise, ID 83705-5354
(208) 334-9860
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:28 PM
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