Rivers in Washington
Nisqually River at McKenna
Below flood stage
1.27ftStage
Observed Thu, Oct 1, 10:30 PM PDT
- Flood stage
- 10.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 1.22 ftThu, Oct 1, 11:00 PM PDT
- Record crest
- 17.13 ft1996
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 14.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 13.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 10.00 ft |
| Action | 8.00 ft |
- 16.00 ftthe Nisqually River will cause severe near record flooding from La Grande downstream through McKenna to the mouth. Deep and swift flood waters will inundate roads...farms...and residential areas...including the nursing home in McKenna. Erosion will likely cause severe damage. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Nisqually River Basin.
- 14.00 ftthe Nisqually River will cause major flooding from La Grande downstream through McKenna to the mouth. Deep and swift waters will flood roads...farms...and residential areas...including the nursing home in McKenna. Erosion may cause severe damage. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Nisqually River Basin.
- 13.00 ftthe Nisqually River will flood from La Grande downstream through McKenna to the mouth. Swift waters will flood roads...farms...and some residential areas including the nursing home in McKenna. Erosion will likely damage properties along river banks.
- 12.00 ftthe Nisqually River will flood from La Grande downstream through McKenna to the mouth. Flood waters will flow over some roads and through farms and residential areas. Erosion may damage some properties. High tidal levels on Puget Sound will cause flooding along the lower reaches...threatening homes along Riverside Drive...Cononie Street and Conine Avenue.
- 10.00 ftthe Nisqually River will flood at the lower end near the mouth. High tide levels on Puget Sound may increase the amount of flooding. The Nisqually River will also spill over its banks between La Grande and McKenna.
Crest history
30 crests on NOAA’s list since 1951.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 8, 1996 | 17.13 ft |
| 2 | January 29, 1965 | 13.00 ft |
| 3 | November 30, 1995 | 12.48 ft |
| 4 | December 26, 1980 | 12.39 ft |
| 5 | December 12, 1955 | 12.38 ft |
| 6 | February 7, 2020 | 12.09 ft |
| 7 | November 23, 1959 | 11.78 ft |
| 8 | January 10, 1990 | 11.31 ft |
| 9 | February 11, 1951 | 11.30 ft |
| 10 | April 5, 1991 | 11.14 ft |
| 11 | December 10, 1953 | 11.04 ft |
| 12 | February 19, 1982 | 10.84 ft |
| 13 | January 31, 2003 | 10.58 ft |
| 14 | January 1, 1997 | 10.52 ft |
| 15 | January 8, 2009 | 10.47 ft |
| 16 | December 9, 2015 | 10.35 ft |
| 17 | February 22, 1961 | 10.32 ft |
| 18 | December 2, 1977 | 10.27 ft |
| 19 | January 11, 2006 | 10.26 ft |
| 20 | January 24, 1959 | 10.20 ft |
| 21 | December 21, 1994 | 10.12 ft |
| 22 | December 12, 2025 | 10.08 ft |
| 23 | January 25, 1964 | 9.82 ft |
| 24 | January 28, 1967 | 9.24 ft |
| 25 | January 16, 2011 | 8.96 ft |
Most recent crests
- December 12, 2025: 10.08 ft
- February 7, 2020: 12.09 ft
- December 9, 2015: 10.35 ft
- January 5, 2015: 6.89 ft
- March 10, 2014: 8.58 ft
- November 19, 2012: 5.96 ft
- February 22, 2012: 5.76 ft
- January 16, 2011: 8.96 ft
- May 29, 2010: 4.99 ft
- January 8, 2009: 10.47 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Northwest River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. River forecasts for this location take into account past and future precipitation. The stages/flows that will occur may be different if future rainfall is different than forecast.
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.