West Fork Carson River at Woodfords

1. 15.50 ftDisastrous, record flooding along entire reach of West Fork Carson River in both Alpine County, California, and Douglas County, Nevada. Extensive damage to homes, businesses, schools, roads, bridges, and irrigation systems. Communications, power, and transportation systems severely disrupted. Many highways, roads, and bridges impassable. Roughly Similar peak level to January 1997 event.
2. 15.00 ftMajor Flooding. Substantial damage to homes, businesses, schools, and property in south Carson Valley from Centerville to Genoa. Many local roads flood including Centerville, Mottsville, and Muller Lanes. Interruption of power, communications, and water systems. Major flooding also in Alpine County, California, near Woodfords and Paynesville. CA Highways 89 and 88, and NV Highway 88 flood. Downstream Hwy 395 floods.
3. 14.50 ftModerate flooding in southwest Carson Valley between Centerville and Genoa, with some damage to homes and businesses. Many local roads flooded in this area. Minor to moderate flooding in Alpine County, California, near Woodfords and Paynesville. Lane or road closures on Highway 395 north of Stephanie Way likely if combined with flood flows on the East Fork. Similar peak level to December 2005 event.
4. 14.00 ftMinor flooding in the southwestern Carson Valley between Centerville and Genoa,impacting agricultural areas, local roads, and outbuildings. Impacts will be more significant if heavy rain and/or snowmelt cause significant rises in small creeks draining the east side of the Carson Range below Woodfords. Possible lane closures on Highway 395 north of Stephanie Way if combined with flood flows on the East Fork. Similar peak level to January 2017 event and May 2017 peak snowmelt.
5. 13.50 ftMinor flooding begins in lowest areas along the West Fork of the Carson River in southwest Carson Valley including agricultural areas, local roads and outbuildings. Residents along the river should prepare for more serious flooding if there are additional rises expected due to snowmelt and/or rainfall runoff. Impacts will be more significant if heavy rain and/or snowmelt causes significant rises in small creeks draining the east side of the Carson Range below Woodfords. Similar to peak of Feb 2017 event.
6. 12.50 ftMonitoring Stage. No flooding occurs. However, residents along the West Fork Carson River should be prepared for flooding if there are additional rises expected due to snowmelt and/or rainfall runoff.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 24, 2026.

Most recent crests

• May 19, 2023: 14.11 ft
• May 1, 2023: 13.63 ft
• October 25, 2021: 13.63 ft
• June 7, 2019: 13.59 ft
• April 7, 2018: 14.42 ft
• May 5, 2017: 14.29 ft
• February 9, 2017: 13.70 ft
• January 9, 2017: 14.22 ft
• June 5, 2010: 13.44 ft
• December 31, 2005: 14.41 ft

• DownstreamCarson River at Carson City
• East Fork Carson River at Markleeville
• East Fork Carson River at Gardnerville
• Upper Truckee River at Meyers
• Trout Creek at Tahoe Valley
• Upper Truckee River at South Lake Tahoe
• Carson River at Genoa
• West Walker River at Topaz Lake
• West Walker River at Hoye Bridge nr Wellington

Forecasts by the California Nevada River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. Stage may be affected by ice during winter months. Reported historic crests have been estimated using recent ratings due to previous channel, location and/or datum changes. USGS observed crests can be found at: waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt Please also see Additional Information tab at the bottom of this page.

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.