Major Flood
15 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
Loading...
Streamflow
Loading...
Last Reading
Loading...
FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
12 ft
Minor Flood
10.5 ft
Action Stage
10 ft
What Floods at Each Level
15 ft
Water will approach the top of the levee along Riverside Drive in Emmett. If the levee is breached, a large volume of water will flow down the canal which passes through Emmett, causing significant flooding in portions of Emmett. Water, about 1 foot deep will flow accoss portions of Highway 52 between Emmett and Montour. Extensive flooding of agricultural land and innundation of county roads near the river will occur.
14 ft
Water, about 1/2 foot deep, will flow over Highway 52 between Black Canyon Dam and Montour. Water will approach houses along Riverside Street in Emmett. Bridge access into the Emmett Sports Fields in Emmett will be flooded. Extensive flooding of agricutlural land will occur near Montour, Emmett and Letha.
13 ft
Extensive flooding of agricultural land will occur upstream and downstream from Emmett. Some county roads will be under water in the vicinity of Emmett, including Shale Rock Road. Railroad tracks between Emmett and Horseshoe Bend will be flooded. Water will begin flowing over Highway 52 between Black Canyon Dam and Montour. Bridge access into the Emmett Sports Fields near the river will be flooded.
12 ft
Moderate flooding of agricultural land will occur upstream and downstream from Emmett. Farmland and pasture near the river will be underwater near Montour and Letha and livestock should be moved to higher ground. Water will reach the level of Shale Rock Road and the railroad tracks near Montour.
11.5 ft
Some pasture and farmland near Montour will be under water and minor flooding will spread into agricultural land downstream from Emmett. Squaw Creek will backup and flood agricultural land near intersection of Highway 52 and Ola Road.
10.6 ft
Minor flooding of pasture and farmland will occur upstream from Black Canyon Dam near Montour.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
Loading chart data...
Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 22, 1964 | 16.1 ft | 32,700 cfs |
| Dec 31, 1996 | 15.9 ft | 32,200 cfs |
| Jun 4, 2010 | 13.45 ft | 24,400 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Payette River
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 Payette River at Emmett?
The Payette River at Emmett gauge is maintained by USGS (site 13249500) 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 Payette River at Emmett?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Payette River at Emmett is 10.5 feet. Action stage begins at 10 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 12 feet, and major flooding at 15 feet.
How do I get alerts when Payette River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Payette River at Emmett to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Payette River at Emmett gauge located?
The gauge is located in Gem County, Idaho at coordinates 43.9306°N, 116.4417°W. USGS site number: 13249500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Payette River
On This River
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey and USBR, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey