Rivers in California
Smith River at Jed Smith near Crescent City
Below flood stage
4.35ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 8:45 AM PDT
- Flood stage
- 29.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 4.65 ftFri, Sep 25, 4:00 PM PDT
- Record crest
- 38.40 ft1964
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 37.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 34.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 29.00 ft |
| Action | 25.00 ft |
- 39.00 ftExtensive and severe flooding of all areas near the river will occur. Significant damage to roads, bridges and other structures near the river is likely. All low lying areas in and around the river will be flooded. All persons in the area should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect life and property.
- 37.00 ftSevere damage could be inflicted upon roads, bridges and other structures. All low lying areas in and around the river are likely to be flooded. Persons in these areas should be prepared to take appropriate actions to protect life and property.
- 36.00 ftExtensive flooding is possible along Highway 197 and US Highway 199 in the Gasquet area. Homes and campgrounds in these areas could be threatened, including portions of Jedediah Smith State Park.
- 35.00 ftConsiderable flooding along Highway 197 and US Highway 199 in the Gasquet area will occur. Low lying homes in these areas are likely to be threatened.
- 34.00 ftSignificant flooding along Highway 197 and along US Highway 199 in the Gasquet area. Some low-lying homes in these areas may be threatened.
- 32.00 ftSignificant flooding along Highway 197 in the Gasquet area, with possible flooding of US Highway 199 near Gasquet. Some low-lying homes in these areas may be threatened.
- 29.00 ftFlooding along Highway 197 and low-lying roads near Gasquet is likely.
- 28.00 ftFlooding along lower portions of Highway 197 with possible flooding of roads near Gasquet.
- 26.00 ftMinor flooding along Highway 197 and other low-lying areas near the river.
- 25.00 ftMinor flooding of the lowest lying areas near the river may occur.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 27, 2024.
Crest history
50 crests on NOAA’s list since 1942.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 22, 1964 | 38.40 ft |
| 2 | January 22, 1972 | 35.60 ft |
| 3 | March 2, 1972 | 35.00 ft |
| 4 | December 22, 1955 | 34.30 ft |
| 5 | October 29, 1950 | 33.00 ft |
| 6 | January 6, 1966 | 32.30 ft |
| 7 | November 23, 1953 | 31.90 ft |
| 8 | January 18, 1953 | 31.70 ft |
| 9 | January 13, 2024 | 30.96 ft |
| 10 | March 18, 1975 | 30.80 ft |
| 11 | December 13, 2015 | 30.76 ft |
| 12 | January 16, 1971 | 30.70 ft |
| 13 | December 28, 1945 | 30.30 ft |
| 14 | November 18, 1996 | 29.56 ft |
| 15 | November 24, 1970 | 29.50 ft |
| 16 | January 22, 1970 | 29.40 ft |
| 17 | January 8, 1990 | 29.20 ft |
| 18 | December 2, 1962 | 29.20 ft |
| 19 | November 22, 1988 | 28.50 ft |
| 20 | November 5, 1973 | 28.40 ft |
| 21 | December 14, 1977 | 28.00 ft |
| 22 | January 19, 2012 | 27.90 ft |
| 23 | February 22, 1986 | 27.40 ft |
| 24 | February 17, 1986 | 27.30 ft |
| 25 | December 29, 2024 | 27.27 ft |
Most recent crests
- December 17, 2025: 21.49 ft
- December 29, 2024: 27.27 ft
- January 13, 2024: 30.96 ft
- March 13, 2023: 24.92 ft
- December 27, 2022: 22.11 ft
- January 13, 2021: 25.85 ft
- January 26, 2020: 20.76 ft
- April 8, 2019: 26.67 ft
- January 11, 2017: 24.93 ft
- December 13, 2015: 30.76 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the California Nevada River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round.
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.