East Fork Carson River near Gardnerville

1. 20.00 ftRecord Flooding. All roads in and out of Carson Valley flooded. Large portion of Carson Valley under water. Extensive damage to homes businesses, schools, roads, and bridges. Transportation, communications, water and power severely affected. Massive bank and channel erosion capable of sweeping away buildings, roads, and vehicles. Similar to the January 1997 event.
2. 19.50 ftNear Record Flooding. All roads in and out of Carson Valley flooded. Extensive damage to homes businesses, schools, roads, and bridges. Transportation, communications, water and power severely affected. Massive bank and channel erosion capable of sweeping away buildings, roads, and vehicles. Approaching the January 1997 event.
3. 19.00 ftWidespread flood damage in Carson Valley. Extensive damage to homes, businesses, schools, roads, and bridges. Transportation, communications, water and power severely affected. Massive bank and channel erosion capable of sweeping away buildings, roads, and vehicles.
4. 18.50 ftWidespread flood damage in Carson Valley. Extensive damage to homes, businesses, schools, roads, and bridges. Transportation, communications, water and power severely affected. Potential for major bank and channel erosion capable of sweeping away buildings, roads, and vehicles.
5. 18.00 ftWidespread flood damage in Carson Valley. Extensive damage to homes, businesses, schools, roads, and bridges. Transportation, communications, water and power severely affected. Potential for massive bank and channel erosion capable of sweeping away buildings, roads, and vehicles.
6. 17.50 ftMajor flooding in Carson valley with significant damage. The East Fork of the Carson River feeds Rocky, Cottonwood, Martin, and Henningson Sloughs which flood portions of Minden/Gardnerville downtown areas, causing damage to homes, businesses, schools, roads, and bridges. Major effects to transportation, communication, water and power systems.
7. 17.00 ftMajor flooding in Carson valley with significant damage. The East Fork of the Carson River feeds Rocky, Cottonwood, Martin, and Henningson Sloughs which flood portions of Minden/Gardnerville near downtown, causing damage to homes, businesses, schools, roads, and bridges. Major effects to transportation, communication, and water and power systems.
8. 16.50 ftMajor Flood Stage. Major flooding in Carson Valley with significant damage. East Fork of Carson River feeds Rocky, Cottonwood, Martin, and Henninson Sloughs, which flood low portions of Minden/Gardnerville near downtown causing damage to homes, businesses, schools, roads, and bridges. Transportation, including prolonged impacts to Highway 395 north of Stephanie Way, communication, and water and power systems significantly affected.
9. 16.00 ftModerate flood damage in Carson Valley. Some homes, business, schools, roads, and bridges in lower portions of Minden, Gardnerville, Centerville, Genoa, and Washoe Tribe Reservation flood. Moderate flood impacts to transportation, communication, and water and power systems. Highway 395 closure north of Stephanie Way likely. Flood level similar to January 2017 event.
10. 15.50 ftModerate Flood Stage. Moderate flood damage in Carson Valley area. Flooding starts to impact homes, businesses, schools, transportation, communication, and water and power systems. Closure of Highway 395 north of Stephanie Way likely.
11. 15.00 ftMinor flooding in Carson Valley with some mobile home communities, outbuildings, many roads, and bridges in lower portions of Minden, Gardnerville, Centerville, Washoe Tribe Reservation and Genoa flooded. Lane closures on Highway 395 north of Stephanie Way likely. Similar level to February 2017 flood.
12. 14.50 ftMinor flooding in Carson Valley with some outbuildings, roads, and bridges in lower portions of Minden, Gardnerville, Centerville, Washoe Tribe Reservation and Genoa flooded. Highway 395 lane closures north of Stephanie Way possible if combined with high flows from the west fork. Similar to 12/31/2022 peak.
13. 14.00 ftMinor Flood Stage. Minor lowland flooding in Carson Valley. Low-lying roads, bridges, and drainage structures begin to sustain minor damage. Cottonwood Slough begins to flood Lampe Park. Flood prone areas include Washoe Tribe Reservation, Carson Valley Country Club, Glenwood Dr, Riverview Dr., Centerville Ln., NV Highway 88, Westwood Village, Rocky Slough, Waterloo and Mottsville Lanes. Possible impacts to south bound Highway 395 lanes north of Stephanie Way if combined with high flows from the West Fork.
14. 13.50 ftLowest portions of Carson Valley begin to have flood threat. The most flood prone areas include the Washoe Tribe Reservation, Carson Valley Country Club, Glenwood Drive, Riverview Drive, Centerville Road, NV Hwy 88, Westwood Village, Rocky Slough, Dresslerville Road, Waterloo and Mottsville Lanes.
15. 13.00 ftMonitor stage, near Bank full, no flooding occurring. Residents along the river should prepare for flooding if additional rises due to snowmelt and/or rainfall runoff occur. Flood prone areas include Washoe Tribe Reservation, Carson Valley Country Club, Glenwood Dr, Riverview Dr, Centerville Rd., NV Highway 88, Westwood Village, Rocky Slough, Dresslerville Rd, Waterloo and Mottsville Lanes.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 20, 2026.

Most recent crests

• December 31, 2022: 14.79 ft
• April 7, 2018: 14.20 ft
• March 22, 2018: 13.79 ft
• February 10, 2017: 15.47 ft
• January 8, 2017: 16.12 ft
• December 31, 2005: 16.10 ft
• May 16, 2005: 13.46 ft
• January 3, 1997: 20.17 ft
• May 16, 1996: 14.84 ft
• March 10, 1995: 14.25 ft

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

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.