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This probabilistic forecast is issued by the California Nevada River Forecast Center.
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About this graph
Forecasts for the West Walker River near Coleville (Upper Gage) are issued routinely year-round.
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Zoom Level:14
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 7.3
Moderate Flood Stage: 6.8
Flood Stage: 6
Action Stage: 5.5
Low Stage (in feet): 0

Historic Crests
(1) 9.99 ft on 01/02/1997 (P)
(2) 7.85 ft on 11/20/1950 (P)
(3) 7.65 ft on 12/11/1937 (P)
(4) 7.33 ft on 12/23/1955 (P)
(5) 7.02 ft on 05/16/1996 (P)
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 6.57 ft on 06/19/2023 (P)
(2) 5.94 ft on 10/25/2021 (P)
(3) 5.89 ft on 06/07/2019 (P)
(4) 6.09 ft on 04/08/2018 (P)
(5) 7.02 ft on 06/20/2017 (P)
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 0.99 ft on 09/11/1977
(2) 1.04 ft on 08/29/1977
(3) 1.06 ft on 01/08/1977
Show More Low Water Records
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
10.5 Incredible flood disaster with massive and uncertain impacts in excess of the January 1997 event.
10 Flood of record. Highway 395 in West Walker River Canyon closed for months. Massive destruction to infrastructure and economy including transportation, power, water, homes, businesses, etc. Area isolated. Near this flow in January 1997 a 6.5-mile stretch of Highway 395 completely scoured with debris from the canyon deposited in the town of Walker.
9.5 Near record flooding. Area cut off as most transportation routes into area destroyed or flooded. Massive destruction of infrastructure and economy including utilities, roads, business, homes, etc.
8.5 Flood disaster from Walker River Canyon through Antelope Valley. Widespread flood damage to roads, bridges, homes and structures along river. Severe damage to Highway 395 in W Walker River Canyon with the highway likely closed. Historically this flow has been exceeded only once in January 1997.
8 Flooding near disaster levels in the West Walker Canyon and in Antelope Valley. Numerous structures flooded and roads washed out. Sections of Highway 395 likely destroyed in West Walker Canyon. Major damage to agricutural land due to erosion and destroyed diversion dams, headgates, canals and levees. Similar to the 2nd highest flood of record in November of 1950, and only exceeded in January 1997.
7.3 Major flooding in the West Walker River Canyon and in Antelope Valley including Walker, Coleville and Topaz California. Many buildings flooded and roads washed out. Major damage to agricultural lands. Extensive sandbagging required to protect propery. Transportiation affected. Damage to Highway 395 in the West Walker Canyon likely. Similar to the 4th highest peak flow in the 85 year gage record.
6.8 Moderate flooding of lowlands, agricultural land, yards, basements and rural roads in the West Walker River Canyon and in Antelope Valley including Walker, Coleville and Topaz California. Flooding of structures limited although some sandbagging necessary Roughly similar, but slightly below the June 2017 peak.
6.5 Expanding minor flooding of lowlands, pastures and some rural roads between the West Walker River Canyon and Topaz Lake, including Walker Coleville and Topaz California. Out of bank flows may cause significant erosion of agricuturural lands. Similar to the peak of June 2023.
6 Flood stage. Minor flooding of lowlands pasture & rural roads in Antelope Valley including Walker, Coleville and Topaz California. Roughly similar to June 2019 and October 2021 crests.
5.5 Monitor Stage, No flooding in reach from West Walker River Canyon through Antelope Valley CA including Walker, Coleville, Topaz CA.
Photos
(1) Downstream view from gage site, 5/5/2005, about 840 cfs.
(2) Upstream view; confluence of Little Walker River (left) with West Walker River. 5/5/2005, 840 cfs
(3) Gage house; West Walker River below Little Walker River gage.

Other Real-time and/or Archive Data Sources:

Additional Information Collapse
Reported historic crest estimates have been normalized using USGS Rating 28.0 (as of 10/24/2023) 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=10293500
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
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:27 PM
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