Rivers in Oregon
Willamette River at Salem
Below flood stage
5.15ftStage
Observed Sun, Sep 20, 2:30 PM PDT
- Flood stage
- 28.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 5.15 ftSat, Sep 19, 5:00 PM PDT
- Record crest
- 47.00 ft1861
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 32.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 30.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 28.00 ft |
| Action | 21.20 ft |
- 37.00 ftKeizer begins to flood. Also expect major widespread flooding from Santiam confluence to Oregon City.
- 35.00 ftnumerous roads and structures are flooded. The Willamette River also backs up water from tributary streams and creeks, which in turn produces flooding of residential neighborhoods along these creeks in Salem and Keizer.
- 32.00 ftexpect widespread flooding. Numerous roads and structures in the Salem/Keizer vicinity are flooded. The Willow Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant is likely flooded at this level.
- 30.00 ftexpect widespread flooding of lowland agricultural areas and rural and secondary roads. Also expect flooding along some creeks which drain into the Willamette in and near Salem due to backwater from the Willamette. The Willow Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant is threatened with flood water above this level.
- 28.00 ftwidespread lowland flooding begins along the banks of the Willamette and islands on the mid Willamette, such as Browns, Minto, and Windsor islands. Numerous secondary roads begin flooding at this point.
- 26.00 ftexpect flooding of numerous roads along the Willamette in the Salem area. Homes on Browns Island begin flooding at this level.
- 23.00 ftminor flooding occurs on Grand Island and other islands in the mid Willamette River. Access roads to these islands are also likely flooded at this point.
- 20.00 ftaccess roads to the islands on the Willamette River near Salem begin to flood.
- 18.00 ftnumerous sloughs are filled, and a few secondary roads begin to flood at this point.
- 15.00 ftthe Wheatland and Buena Vista ferries will likely cease operation due to safety concerns.
Crest history
25 crests on NOAA’s list since 1861.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 4, 1861 | 47.00 ft |
| 2 | December 4, 1891 | 47.00 ft |
| 3 | February 5, 1890 | 45.10 ft |
| 4 | January 16, 1880 | 43.30 ft |
| 5 | December 23, 1964 | 37.78 ft |
| 6 | February 8, 1996 | 35.09 ft |
| 7 | January 17, 1974 | 32.32 ft |
| 8 | January 15, 1901 | 31.50 ft |
| 9 | February 6, 1907 | 31.30 ft |
| 10 | January 2, 1943 | 30.60 ft |
| 11 | November 25, 1909 | 30.50 ft |
| 12 | January 8, 1923 | 30.30 ft |
| 13 | January 22, 1972 | 30.23 ft |
| 14 | January 21, 2012 | 29.42 ft |
| 15 | January 2, 1996 | 29.28 ft |
| 16 | December 30, 1998 | 28.75 ft |
| 17 | December 30, 1945 | 28.35 ft |
| 18 | January 9, 1948 | 27.47 ft |
| 19 | April 12, 2019 | 27.30 ft |
| 20 | January 20, 1953 | 26.17 ft |
| 21 | February 12, 1961 | 25.52 ft |
| 22 | December 23, 1955 | 25.46 ft |
| 23 | February 23, 1927 | 24.70 ft |
| 24 | November 27, 1999 | 22.96 ft |
| 25 | February 2, 2003 | 22.01 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 12, 2019: 27.30 ft
- January 21, 2012: 29.42 ft
- February 2, 2003: 22.01 ft
- November 27, 1999: 22.96 ft
- December 30, 1998: 28.75 ft
- February 8, 1996: 35.09 ft
- January 2, 1996: 29.28 ft
- January 17, 1974: 32.32 ft
- January 22, 1972: 30.23 ft
- December 23, 1964: 37.78 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamWillamette River at Albany
- DownstreamWillamette River at Newberg
- Mill Creek (Marion Co., OR) at North Salem High School at Salem
- Glenn Creek
- Mill Creek (Marion Co., OR) at Turner Road near Salem
- Battle Creek (Marion Co., OR) at Lone Oak Rd near Salem
- Battle Creek (Marion Co., OR) at Commercial Street in Salem
- Mill Creek (Marion Co., OR) at Turner
- Beaver Creek (Marion Co., OR) at Aumsville
- Drift Creek at Silverton
What this means
Forecasts by the Northwest River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. Gauge readings inaccurate - awaiting repair.
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.