Major Flood
175.5 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
172 ft
Minor Flood
168.5 ft
Action Stage
166 ft
What Floods at Each Level
176.7 ft
the Chehalis River in Lewis County will cause severe near record flooding...with deep and swift flood waters inundating farms...residential and business areas...and roads on both sides of I-5...including I-5 and SR 6. Much of Chehalise and Centralia will be flooded. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Chehalis River Basin. This stage corresponds roughly to a Phase 4 flood in the Lewis County flood system.
175.5 ft
the Chehalis River in Lewis County will cause major flooding...inundating residential and commercial areas...farms...and many roads on both sides of I-5...including I-5 and SR 6. Flood waters will be deep and swift in some areas. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Chehalis River Basin. This stage corresponds roughly to a Phase 3 flood in the Lewis County flood system.
173.5 ft
the Chehalis River in Lewis County will cause moderate flooding including Fort Borst Park...residential and commercial areas...farms...and many roads from Chehalis to Centralia. Flood waters begin to inundate SR 6...I-5 ramps at SR 6...Main St Chehalis...and around Plummers and Hayes Lakes. Swift flood waters will cover some roads. This stage corresponds roughly to a Phase 2 flood in the Lewis County flood system.
172 ft
the Chehalis River in Lewis County will cause moderate flooding including Fort Borst Park...farms...and some residential and commercial areas...with water encroaching upon the first floor of some homes and businesses. Flooded roads include SR 6...Florida Ave...Donahue Rd...Airport Rd...Military Rd...and Nick Rd. Swift flood waters will cover some roads. This stage corresponds roughly to a Phase 2 flood in the Lewis County flood system.
170.5 ft
the Chehalis River in Lewis County will flood Riverside Golf Course...farms...and some residential areas around Florida Ave...Donahue Rd...Airport Rd...and Military Rd. Swift flood waters will cover some roads. This stage corresponds roughly to a Phase 1 flood in the Lewis County flood system.
168.5 ft
the Chehalis River in Lewis County will cause shallow flooding of farm lands and some roads. Roads include Airport Rd, Florida Ave in Chehalis and Military Rd in Centralia. This stage corresponds roughly to a Phase 1 flood in the Lewis County flood warning system.
166.5 ft
the Chehalis River in Lewis County will spill over its banks into nearby pasture lands around Chehalis and Centralia.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 3, 2007 | 178.1 ft | 70,300 cfs |
| Jan 7, 2022 | 174.93 ft | 51,042 cfs |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 168.59 ft | 23,999 cfs |
Flood Inundation Map
NOAA has mapped what areas flood at different water levels for this gauge. View the interactive flood inundation map →
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Chehalis 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 Chehalis River at Centralia?
The Chehalis River at Centralia gauge is maintained by USGS (site 12025500) 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 Chehalis River at Centralia?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Chehalis River at Centralia is 168.5 feet. Action stage begins at 166 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 172 feet, and major flooding at 175.5 feet.
How do I get alerts when Chehalis River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Chehalis River at Centralia 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 Chehalis River at Centralia gauge located?
The gauge is located in Lewis County, Washington at coordinates 46.7117°N, 122.9785°W. USGS site number: 12025500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations Courtesy of Lewis Co - CRBFA
- River forecasts for this location take into account past and future precipitation. The stages/flows that will occur may be different if future rainfall is different than forecast.