Rivers in Nevada
Humboldt River near Elko
Below flood stage
0.93ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 1:40 PM PDT
- Flood stage
- 6.20 ft
- Forecast crest
- 0.94 ftTue, Sep 22, 2:00 PM PDT
- Record crest
- 12.30 ft1962
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 10.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 8.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 6.20 ft |
| Action | 5.50 ft |
- 11.50 ftFlood disaster - major damage occurs to roads, railroads, and agriculture including livestock drownings. Major impact occurs to transportation and communications. Approaches to all three bridges in Elko will likely flood: Errecart Blvd., 5th Street, and 12th Street. Homes located withing the floodplain are likely impacted.
- 11.00 ftRecord Streamflow, major to record flooding. Major damage occurs to roads, railroads and agriculture, including livestock drownings. Major impact occurs to transportation and communications. Approaches to all three bridges in Elko are nearly flooded: Errecart Blvd., 5th Street, and 12th Street. Homes located within the floodplain could be impacted.
- 10.70 ftNear Record Streamflow. Major damage to roads, railroads and structures. Moderate impact occurs to transportation and communication. Livestock will be greatly impacted. Elko will flood from near River Street north of the river to near Wilson Ave. and Bullion Road south of the river. Flooding also occurs north of 12th Street including Opal Drive. River is above storm drain elevation.
- 10.00 ftMajor Flood Stage - major flooding occurs throughout the reach. Major damage occurs to roads, railroads, and structures. Livestock are impacted. Elko is flooded to near River Street north of the river to near Wilson Ave south of the river between 1st and 9th Streets, as well as from 9th Street and Lyon Ave. to 12th Street. Basements in low-lying parts of town will flood. Flooded areas are pumped by the city.
- 9.00 ftModerate to major flooding occurs throughout the reach. Significant damage occurs to roads, railroads, and structures. Livestock are impacted. Elko flooding occurs between Douglas and Water Streets north of the river and to Front Street south of the river between 1st and 9th streets, as well as from 9th and Lyon Ave. to 12th Steet. Basements will be impacted along this corridor. City pumping of flooded areas begins.
- 8.50 ftModerate flooding occurs throughout the reach, including in Elko. Some flooding and damage occurs to rural roads throughout the floodplain. Elko flooding occurs between Douglas and Water Streets north of the river and to Front Street south of the river between 1st and 9th Streets, as well as from 9th Street and Lyon Ave to 12th Street. Basements will be impacted along this corridor.
- 8.00 ftModerate Flood Stage - Moderate lowland flooding occurs throughout the reach, with minor to moderate flooding in Elko caused by backed up storm drains. Minor flooding of rural roads occurs. In Elko, flood waters continue to rise between Douglas and Water Streets on the north side of the river, and to Front Street south of the river between 1st and 9th Streets, as well as from 9th and Lyon ave to 12th Street. Basements may be impacted along this corridor.
- 7.00 ftMinor lowland flooding begins throughout the reach and minor flooding of rural roads occurs. In Elko, minor flooding occurs in the parking lots on Water Street between 7th and 9th Streets and from backed-up storm drains at the following intersections: 1st and Water Streets, 3rd and Water Streets, 2nd and Douglas Streets, and 6th and Front Streets.
- 6.70 ftMinor Flood Stage - Minor flooding begins in Elko. The storm drain at 1st and Water Streets starts to back up.
- 6.20 ftMinor lowland flooding occurs upstream and downstream of Elko. Very minor flooding from backed up storm drains begins in Elko, especially in the parking lots on Water Street between 7th and 9th Streets.
- 5.50 ftAction Stage - Near bankfull conditions. Isolated minor lowland flooding possible upstream and downstream of Elko. No flooding expected in Elko.
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 22, 2026.
Crest history
43 crests on NOAA’s list since 1910.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 13, 1962 | 12.30 ft |
| 2 | March 4, 1983 | 12.18 ft |
| 3 | February 10, 2017 | 10.67 ft |
| 4 | May 17, 1984 | 10.22 ft |
| 5 | April 30, 1952 | 9.60 ft |
| 6 | May 18, 2005 | 9.29 ft |
| 7 | June 5, 1995 | 9.20 ft |
| 8 | June 9, 1945 | 8.96 ft |
| 9 | June 4, 1980 | 8.90 ft |
| 10 | April 7, 2006 | 8.78 ft |
| 11 | April 7, 1969 | 8.52 ft |
| 12 | May 22, 1975 | 8.51 ft |
| 13 | May 24, 1971 | 8.32 ft |
| 14 | June 12, 1970 | 7.92 ft |
| 15 | June 12, 1957 | 7.79 ft |
| 16 | April 13, 1982 | 7.65 ft |
| 17 | February 19, 1986 | 7.64 ft |
| 18 | May 30, 1956 | 7.55 ft |
| 19 | June 19, 1964 | 7.37 ft |
| 20 | June 7, 1963 | 7.25 ft |
| 21 | June 4, 1999 | 7.13 ft |
| 22 | June 23, 1967 | 7.00 ft |
| 23 | March 27, 1993 | 6.99 ft |
| 24 | May 22, 1973 | 6.94 ft |
| 25 | February 8, 1951 | 6.92 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 27, 2023: 6.63 ft
- June 9, 2019: 6.69 ft
- February 10, 2017: 10.67 ft
- June 21, 2011: 6.54 ft
- April 7, 2006: 8.78 ft
- May 18, 2005: 9.29 ft
- June 2, 2003: 6.27 ft
- June 4, 2002: 5.90 ft
- June 4, 1999: 7.13 ft
- June 5, 1998: 6.78 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.