Mad River near Arcata

1. 33.00 ftDisastrous 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 inundated and travel will be severely 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.
2. 32.00 ftDisastrous 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 inundated and travel will be severely 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.
3. 30.00 ftExtensive, 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.
4. 28.00 ftSevere 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.
5. 26.00 ftSevere 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.
6. 24.00 ftExtensive 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.
7. 23.00 ftSignificant 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.
8. 22.00 ftSignificant 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.
9. 21.00 ftFlooding 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.
10. 18.00 ftMinor flooding of Mad River Beach Road near Tyee City.
11. 15.00 ftMinor flooding begins on the Mad River Beach Road near Tyee City.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 27, 2024.

Most recent crests

• December 21, 2025: 24.76 ft
• February 3, 2025: 21.34 ft
• December 29, 2024: 21.57 ft
• January 13, 2024: 27.26 ft
• March 14, 2023: 20.90 ft
• December 30, 2022: 22.27 ft
• February 15, 2021: 14.28 ft
• January 26, 2020: 14.10 ft
• February 27, 2019: 23.92 ft
• February 15, 2019: 16.89 ft

• Little River
• Tide Station (Humboldt Co.) at NORTH SPIT
• Redwood Creek
• Elk River
• Eel River (CA) at Fernbridge
• Trinity River at Hoopa
• Redwood Creek at Orick
• Eel River (CA) at Scotia

Forecasts by the California Nevada River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round.

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.