Rivers in Alaska

Willow Creek near Willow

Matanuska-Susitna County, AlaskaNWS WLWA2USGS 15294005Anchorage office

Below flood stage
3.12ftStage

Observed Tue, Sep 22, 2:15 AM UTC

Flood stage
5.90 ft
Forecast crest
3.24 ftTue, Sep 22, 6:00 AM UTC
Record crest
9.01 ft1986

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood7.30 ft
Moderate flood6.80 ft
Minor flood5.90 ft
Action5.00 ft
  1. 4.09 ftHigh water level -- Class IV whitewater in Willow Creek canyon
  2. 3.40 ftMedium water level -- Class IV whitewater in Willow Creek canyon
  3. 2.60 ftLow water level -- Class III whitewater in Willow Creek canyon

Flood outlook

Chance of flooding, September to November

CategoryChance
Minor floodingUnder 5%
Moderate floodingUnder 5%
Major floodingUnder 5%

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 1, 2026.

Crest history

35 crests on NOAA’s list since 1979.

#DateStage
1October 11, 19869.01 ft
2July 28, 19808.80 ft
3September 21, 20128.27 ft
4May 28, 19797.82 ft
5August 19, 20067.38 ft
6August 12, 19856.40 ft
7September 16, 19826.34 ft
8August 25, 19846.22 ft
9August 15, 19815.97 ft
10August 13, 19905.87 ft
11September 13, 19905.87 ft
12September 21, 19935.74 ft
13July 20, 19865.67 ft
14October 1, 20045.65 ft
15September 29, 20155.64 ft
16September 30, 19835.02 ft
17June 21, 20014.99 ft
18June 16, 20184.99 ft
19August 27, 19894.88 ft
20August 9, 20114.84 ft
21September 13, 20164.75 ft
22August 13, 20024.65 ft
23September 11, 20134.60 ft
24October 7, 20024.52 ft
25September 1, 20204.50 ft

Most recent crests

  • September 1, 2020: 4.50 ft
  • June 9, 2019: 4.43 ft
  • June 16, 2018: 4.99 ft
  • July 9, 2017: 3.48 ft
  • September 13, 2016: 4.75 ft
  • September 29, 2015: 5.64 ft
  • October 28, 2013: 4.17 ft
  • September 11, 2013: 4.60 ft
  • September 21, 2012: 8.27 ft
  • August 9, 2011: 4.84 ft

Nearby

Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.

What this means

Forecasts by the Alaska Pacific River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely during the warm season, and as needed at other times of the year. Stage may be affected by ice.

Sources

Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.