Malheur River at Vale

1. 24.00 ftThe river level will be about three feet from overtopping the levee which protects the city of Vale from major flooding. Even though there is still approximately three feet between the surface of the river and the top of the levee, any rise above 24 feet will exceed the safe design capacity of the levee. Major flooding of other areas within the 100 year flood plain between Harper and Ontario is likely.
2. 23.00 ftWater may begin flowing over Highway 20 near Harper. Numerous roads crossing the river between Harper and Ontario will be flooded with water entering houses near the 36th Street Bridge in Ontario. Foothill and Lagoon Drive near Vale may flood if Willow Creek is running high. Extensive inundation of farmland will occur between Harper and Ontario.
3. 22.00 ftExtensive flooding of farmland between Harper and Ontario will occur. Numerous roads near the river will be flooded including Harper Bridge Road near Harper, Butte Drive between Vale and Ontario, and the 36th Street Bridge area just upstream from Ontario including Malheur Drive. Some houses may be surrounded by water. The river crest will take about 12 hours to move downstream from Harper to Vale, and another 8 hours to move from Vale to Ontario.
4. 21.00 ftFlood waters will rise above low spots on Copeland Road near Harper. Butte Drive will be flooded with water greater than 1 foot deep between the bridge and Foothill Drive. The area near the 36th Street Bridge upstream from Ontario will flood with water flowing over low spots on Malheur Drive. Debris damming on the 36th Street Bridge may be a problem. Water may cover portions of Airport Road and Russel Road southwest of Vale when Bully Creek is running high.
5. 20.50 ftFlooding of some county roads near the river will occur, including Westfall Road near Harper.
6. 19.50 ftThe river will begin spilling over its bank flooding farmland between Vale and Ontario. Water will begin approaching low spots on Butte Drive. Water will approach the 36th Street Bridge upstream from Ontario about 8 hours after flood stage is exceeded near Vale.

Most recent crests

• February 25, 2025: 23.55 ft
• April 16, 2024: 15.99 ft
• April 12, 2023: 21.56 ft
• October 28, 2021: 12.35 ft
• October 21, 2020: 12.14 ft
• November 1, 2019: 12.53 ft
• March 25, 2019: 16.45 ft
• September 3, 2018: 11.52 ft
• October 20, 2017: 11.55 ft
• October 16, 2017: 12.79 ft

• UpstreamMalheur River at Warm Springs Reservoir
• DownstreamMalheur River at Ontario
• Willow Creek (SE Oregon) at Vale
• Bully Creek at Vale
• Southeast Oregon Reservoirs at Bully Creek Reservoir
• Malheur River
• Snake River at Nyssa
• Payette River at Payette
• Boise River at Parma

Forecasts by the Northwest River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. Stage may be affected by ice.

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.