Palouse River near Potlatch
Idaho — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Latah County, Idaho on the Palouse River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 13345000, 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
Major Flood
17 ft
Moderate Flood
16 ft
Minor Flood
15 ft
Action Stage
14 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
22 ft
Equivalent to the February 1996 flood. Flooding of homes and businesses on Main Street in Palouse, WA can be expected, several feet deep in some areas. Flood waters will be about 5 feet deep in Hayton Green Park in Palouse, WA. Riverfront homes on Almota Road and Shady Lane near downtown in Palouse, WA may also be flooded. Low-lying homes near the river in Potlatch, ID are likely to be flooded.
19 ft
Major widespread flooding between Potlatch Idaho and Palouse Washington can be expected.
18 ft
Flooding on the properties near the river along Main Street in the city of Palouse, including several residences near the Lions Club Park.
17.5 ft
Water will be over Flannigan Creek Road and in Potlatch Tree Farm in Potlatch Idaho.
17.2 ft
Basement flooding in buildings along the river in downtown Palouse. Water increasing around homes near Hayton Green Park in Palouse. Extensive field flooding between Palouse and Potlatch with inundation on Glenwood Road, Wellesley Road, and S River Road. Flooding similar to February 2025.
17 ft
Widespread extensive lowland and field flooding between Potlatch Junction Idaho and Palouse Washington, including near portions of Highway 272 near Palouse, and west to Tidwell Road and Highway 27.
16.5 ft
Water will be up to the back door at the city shop in Palouse. Water will approach the home on Main Street near Hayton Greene Park. Lions Club Park in Palouse will be submerged and water will be around the playground at the Hayton Greene Park.
15 ft
Minor flooding of the low lying areas between Potlatch Idaho and Palouse Washington will occur. Flooding will begin at the Lions Club Community Park and Hayton Greene Park in Palouse. South River Road will likely be flooded where it crosses the Palouse River at Wellesley Rd. The Potlatch softball and baseball fields will see ponding of water.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 8, 1996 | 22.15 ft | 14,600 cfs |
| Feb 8, 1996 | 22.15 ft | 14,600 cfs |
| Jan 15, 1974 | 21.08 ft | 10,100 cfs |
| Jan 15, 1974 | 21.08 ft | 10,100 cfs |
| Jun 13, 2022 | 18.74 ft | 6,320 cfs |
About This Gauge
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StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Palouse River near Potlatch?
The Palouse River near Potlatch gauge is maintained by USGS (site 13345000) 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 Palouse River near Potlatch?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Palouse River near Potlatch is 15 feet. Action stage begins at 14 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 16 feet, and major flooding at 17 feet.
How do I get alerts when Palouse River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Palouse River near Potlatch 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 Palouse River near Potlatch gauge located?
The gauge is located in Latah County, Idaho at coordinates 46.9153°N, 116.9511°W. USGS site number: 13345000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
On This River
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice. Forecast flows are unadjusted for ice.