Rivers in Oregon

Willamette River at Salem

Marion County, OregonNWS SLMO3USGS 14191000Portland office

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

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood32.00 ft
Moderate flood30.00 ft
Minor flood28.00 ft
Action21.20 ft
  1. 37.00 ftKeizer begins to flood. Also expect major widespread flooding from Santiam confluence to Oregon City.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 26.00 ftexpect flooding of numerous roads along the Willamette in the Salem area. Homes on Browns Island begin flooding at this level.
  7. 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.
  8. 20.00 ftaccess roads to the islands on the Willamette River near Salem begin to flood.
  9. 18.00 ftnumerous sloughs are filled, and a few secondary roads begin to flood at this point.
  10. 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.

#DateStage
1December 4, 186147.00 ft
2December 4, 189147.00 ft
3February 5, 189045.10 ft
4January 16, 188043.30 ft
5December 23, 196437.78 ft
6February 8, 199635.09 ft
7January 17, 197432.32 ft
8January 15, 190131.50 ft
9February 6, 190731.30 ft
10January 2, 194330.60 ft
11November 25, 190930.50 ft
12January 8, 192330.30 ft
13January 22, 197230.23 ft
14January 21, 201229.42 ft
15January 2, 199629.28 ft
16December 30, 199828.75 ft
17December 30, 194528.35 ft
18January 9, 194827.47 ft
19April 12, 201927.30 ft
20January 20, 195326.17 ft
21February 12, 196125.52 ft
22December 23, 195525.46 ft
23February 23, 192724.70 ft
24November 27, 199922.96 ft
25February 2, 200322.01 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.

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.