Donner Creek at Donner Lk Nr Truckee
California — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Nevada County, California on the Donner Creek. Live water level data from USGS gauge 10338500, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Moderate Flood
6.3 ft
Minor Flood
5.5 ft
Action Stage
5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
7 ft
Major...record flooding along creek from in Donner Memorial State Park from Donner Lake to Cold Stream...not including the Town of Truckee...with major damage to roads...bridges...and structures. About 970 cfs.
6.7 ft
Moderate to major flooding and damage to roads...bridges...culverts...trails...structures along creek in Donner Memorial State Park from Donner Lake to Cold Stream...not including the Town of Truckee. Equal to record flood of 1/2/1997...about 880 cfs.
6.3 ft
Moderate flooding in Donner Memorial State Park from Donner Lake to Cold Stream...not including the Town of Truckee. About 770 cfs. Moderate damage to roads...bridges...campgrounds and trails in reach. Like floods of November 1950...December 1964 and February 1986...but not as severe as record flooding of January 2 1997.
5.5 ft
Flood Stage. Minor flooding begins to occur throughout reach in Donner Memorial State Park from Donner Lake to Cold Stream...not including the Town of Truckee. Flooding of nature trails and walking bridges in Donner Memorial State Park...campsites near creek evacuated. About 540 cfs.
5 ft
Monitor Stage...no flooding. However...people near Donner Creek...especially campers...hikers and anglers...should closely monitor for quick rises if heavy rain or snowmelt require large releases from Donner Lake. About 400 cfs.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 1997 | 6.63 ft | 863 cfs |
| Jan 1, 1997 | 6.63 ft | 863 cfs |
| Feb 10, 2017 | 6.1 ft | 380 cfs |
| Feb 10, 2017 | 6.1 ft | 380 cfs |
| Feb 18, 1986 | 6.08 ft | 707 cfs |
About This Gauge
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Donner Creek at Donner Lk Nr Truckee?
The Donner Creek at Donner Lk Nr Truckee gauge is maintained by USGS (site 10338500) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Donner Creek at Donner Lk Nr Truckee?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Donner Creek at Donner Lk Nr Truckee is 5.5 feet. Action stage begins at 5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 6.3 feet, and major flooding at N/A feet.
How do I get alerts when Donner Creek rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Donner Creek at Donner Lk Nr Truckee to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Donner Creek at Donner Lk Nr Truckee gauge located?
The gauge is located in Nevada County, California at coordinates 39.3235°N, 120.2344°W. USGS site number: 10338500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.