Malheur River at Vale
Oregon — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Malheur County, Oregon on the Malheur River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 13233300, 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
23 ft
Moderate Flood
21 ft
Minor Flood
19.5 ft
Action Stage
19 ft
3,607 cfs
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
24 ft
The river level will be about three feet from overtopping the levee which protects the city of Vale from major flooding. Even though there is still approximately three feet between the surface of the river and the top of the levee, any rise above 24 feet will exceed the safe design capacity of the levee. Major flooding of other areas within the 100 year flood plain between Harper and Ontario is likely.
23 ft
Water may begin flowing over Highway 20 near Harper. Numerous roads crossing the river between Harper and Ontario will be flooded with water entering houses near the 36th Street Bridge in Ontario. Foothill and Lagoon Drive near Vale may flood if Willow Creek is running high. Extensive inundation of farmland will occur between Harper and Ontario.
22 ft
Extensive flooding of farmland between Harper and Ontario will occur. Numerous roads near the river will be flooded including Harper Bridge Road near Harper, Butte Drive between Vale and Ontario, and the 36th Street Bridge area just upstream from Ontario including Malheur Drive. Some houses may be surrounded by water. The river crest will take about 12 hours to move downstream from Harper to Vale, and another 8 hours to move from Vale to Ontario.
21 ft
Flood waters will rise above low spots on Copeland Road near Harper. Butte Drive will be flooded with water greater than 1 foot deep between the bridge and Foothill Drive. The area near the 36th Street Bridge upstream from Ontario will flood with water flowing over low spots on Malheur Drive. Debris damming on the 36th Street Bridge may be a problem. Water may cover portions of Airport Road and Russel Road southwest of Vale when Bully Creek is running high.
20.5 ft
Flooding of some county roads near the river will occur, including Westfall Road near Harper.
19.5 ft
The river will begin spilling over its bank flooding farmland between Vale and Ontario. Water will begin approaching low spots on Butte Drive. Water will approach the 36th Street Bridge upstream from Ontario about 8 hours after flood stage is exceeded near Vale.
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 23, 1957 | 24.58 ft | 21,000 cfs |
| Feb 23, 1957 | 24.58 ft | 21,000 cfs |
| Feb 21, 1982 | 23.8 ft | 16,300 cfs |
| Feb 21, 1982 | 23.8 ft | 16,300 cfs |
| Feb 24, 2025 | 23.55 ft | 11,264 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
VALO3
River
Malheur River
County
Malheur, OR
Coordinates
43.9875°N, 117.2189°W
Get Flood Alerts for Malheur 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 Malheur River at Vale?
The Malheur River at Vale gauge is maintained by USGS (site 13233300) 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 Malheur River at Vale?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Malheur River at Vale is 19.5 feet. Action stage begins at 19 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 21 feet, and major flooding at 23 feet.
How do I get alerts when Malheur River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Malheur River at Vale 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 Malheur River at Vale gauge located?
The gauge is located in Malheur County, Oregon at coordinates 43.9875°N, 117.2189°W. USGS site number: 13233300. 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
- Stage may be affected by ice.