Humboldt River at Palisade

1. 17.00 ftAll time record flooding occurs with widespread catastrophic damage. This is similar to the largest known flood of february 1910. Catastrophic damage to all public infrastructure and private property along the river in the reach. The river becomes a large lake 4 to 5 miles wide from Beowawe to Battle Mountain. Transportation is nearly impossible. Communications out to many areas. This is about 17000 cfs. Any levels higher than this become new record floods.
2. 12.00 ftCatastrophic flooding occurs. This is about 10000 cfs.
3. 10.50 ftDisastrous flooding occurs with extensive damage through reach. This is about 8300 cfs.
4. 10.00 ftMajor flooding occurs with extensive damage to railroads, roads, bridges, buildings, irrigation structures and ranchland. Heavy livestock losses occur. Total loss will probably exceed 10 million dollars in the reach. Many roads are closed or destroyed. This is about 7600 cfs.
5. 9.50 ftMajor lowland flooding occurs with damage to roads, railroads, and buildings along the river from Carlin to Battle Mountain. Lower portions of Carlin and Beowawe flood. Significant losses occur to livestock, irrigation structures, and pasture. This is about 6900 cfs.
6. 9.00 ftSignificant to major lowland flooding occurs with moderate damage from Carlin to Battle Mountain. Moderate damage occurs to low-lying structures, rural roads and bridges. Ranch buildings and livestock affected. Erosion degrades pastures. This is about 6200 cfs.
7. 8.50 ftSignificant lowland flooding occurs with minor damage from Carlin to Battle Mountain. Some damage occurs to low lying structures. A few rural roads flood. This is about 5500 cfs.
8. 8.00 ftModerate lowland flooding occurs from Carlin to Battle Mountain. This is about 4900 cfs.
9. 7.50 ftMinor to moderate lowland flooding occurs from Carlin to Battle Mountain. This is about 4300 cfs.
10. 7.00 ftMinor lowland flooding begins between Carlin and Battle Mountains. This is about 3650 cfs.
11. 6.00 ftThis is action stage. No flooding occurs. This is about 2600 cfs.
12. 5.20 ftThis is below action stage. No flooding occurs. This is about 1800 cfs. NOTE: 1 cfs (cubic feet per second) is approximately 7.48 gallons of flow per second.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 22, 2026.

Most recent crests

• May 29, 2023: 7.39 ft
• June 11, 2019: 7.46 ft
• February 12, 2017: 9.69 ft
• June 20, 2011: 6.82 ft
• June 11, 2010: 6.34 ft
• April 8, 2006: 9.08 ft
• May 20, 2005: 8.49 ft
• June 6, 1999: 6.17 ft
• June 12, 1998: 6.69 ft
• June 9, 1997: 6.89 ft

• UpstreamHumboldt River at Carlin
• DownstreamHumboldt River at Dunphy
• Pine Creek nr Palisade
• Maggie Creek at Carlin
• Pine Creek
• South Fork Humboldt River at Dixie Creek
• South Fork Humboldt River at Ten Mile Creek
• Rock Creek at Battle Mountain

Forecasts by the California Nevada River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round.

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.