National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

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This probabilistic forecast is issued by the California Nevada River Forecast Center.

	Hydrograph			River at a Glance			Download			Probability Information Weekly Chance of Exceeding Levels Chance of Exceeding Levels During Entire Period Short-term Probabilistic Guidance (Experimental)

About this graph

Forecasts for the Mad River near Arcata are issued routinely year-round.

Return to Area Map

Zoom Level:11

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	28
Moderate Flood Stage:	24
Flood Stage:	22
Action Stage:	15
Low Stage (in feet):	-9999

Historic Crests
(1) 32.70 ft on 12/22/1964
(2) 28.43 ft on 12/22/1955
(3) 25.46 ft on 01/01/1997
(4) 25.40 ft on 03/02/1972
(5) 24.90 ft on 02/08/1960
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 20.77 ft on 03/15/2023 (P)
(2) 22.70 ft on 12/30/2022 (P)
(3) 14.28 ft on 02/15/2021
(4) 14.10 ft on 01/26/2020
(5) 23.92 ft on 02/27/2019
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.

	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
33	Disastrous flooding of all areas near the river from Blue Lake to the mouth. The river is forecast to exceed record levels. All roads in the vicinity of the river are likely to be innundated and travel will be severly restricted. Residents should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property. This would include homes in Blue Lake, Tyee City and the Arcata Bottoms, as well as US Highway 101 between Arcata and Mckinleyville.
32	Disastrous flooding of all areas near the river from Blue Lake to the mouth. The river is forecast to approach record levels. All roads in the vicinity of the river are likely to be innundated and travel will be severly restricted. Residents should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property. This would include homes in Blue Lake, Tyee City and the Arcata Bottoms, as well as US Highway 101 between Arcata and Mckinleyville.
30	Extensive, severe flooding of all low lying areas near the river from Blue Lake downstream to the mouth. Residents in these areas should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property. Critical locations include residential areas of Blue Lake, Tyee City, and the Arcata Bottoms, as well as US Highway 101 near Janes Road and areas near Giuntoli Lane.
28	Severe flooding of all low lying areas near the river from Blue Lake downstream to the mouth. Residents in these areas should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property. This includes residential areas of Tyee City and the Arcata Bottoms, US Highway 101 near Janes Road, areas near Giuntoli Lane, and Mad River Beach Road.
26	Severe flooding along Mad River Beach Road and extensive flooding of farmlands and other roads in the area. Flooding of residential areas around Tyee City is likely. Any low lying areas near the river could be flooded. Residents in these areas should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property.
24	Extensive flooding along Mad River Beach Road and adjacent farmlands. Some homes along the river could be threatened. Flooding of roads to Tyee City. High tides and strong onshore winds will enhance flood impacts.
23	Significant flooding of portions of Mad River Beach Road and adjacent farmlands is likely. May cause water to flow across roads to Tyee City. High tides and strong, onshore winds will aggravate flood impacts.
22	Significant flooding of portions of Mad River Beach Road. Water may flow across roads to Tyee City. Flood impacts will be aggravated by high tides and strong, onshore winds.
21	Flooding of Mad River Beach Road. Water may be flowing over roads to Tyee City. Flooding will be enhanced if the time of the crest is coincident with high tides and strong onshore winds.
18	Minor flooding of Mad River Beach Road near Tyee City.
15	Minor flooding begins on the Mad River Beach Road near Tyee City.

Other Real-time and/or Archive Data Sources:

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

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

National Weather Service
Eureka Weather Forecast Office
300 Startare Drive
Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 443-6484
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:27 PM

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