Columbia River at Vancouver
Washington — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Clark County, Washington on the Columbia River. Live water level data from USGS, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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This is an NWS forecast point (LID: VAPW1). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
25 ft
Moderate Flood
20 ft
Minor Flood
16 ft
Action Stage
15 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
34 ft
expect flooding of much of downtown Vancouver, along with major flooding along the Columbia River from Vancouver downstream to Woodland along the Washington side and Portland and Sauvie Island on the Oregon side. Some lower levees may be overtopped.
31 ft
expect major flooding. Overtopping of some lower levees is possible. Expect widespread inundation along the Columbia from Vancouver downstream to Woodland on the Washington side and Portland and Sauvie Island on the Oregon side. Tributary rivers will be backed up. Port operations and ship traffic will be affected.
30 ft
expect widespread flood inundation along the Columbia from Vancouver downstream to Woodland. Numerous islands and sloughs on the Columbia upstream and downstream of the I-5 bridge are flooded. Many industries along the river have historically ceased operations at this level.
27 ft
expect widespread flooding of low lying farmland, islands on the river, and sloughs in the Portland and Vancouver area. Historically, river traffic has been halted to prevent water from overtopping the lowest dikes along the river.
24 ft
expect numerous sloughs to begin flooding in the Portland and Vancouver area. Numerous islands on the Columbia river both upstream and downstream from the Interstate Bridge have historically begun to flood at this point. Also expect flooding of parks and lowland areas near the Sandy River confluence above this level.
20 ft
expect widespread flooding of unleveed lowland and agricultural land, along with flooding of the access road under the north end of the Interstate Bridge. Islands on the Columbia downstream from the Interstate Bridge are threatened above this level. Access to parks, trails, and some house-boat communities in and near Portland and Vancouver will be impacted.
18 ft
expect flooding of property and farmland not protected by levees to begin. The main areas impacted have historically been from Sauvies Island downstream to Woodland. Inundation of parks and trails along the Columbia in and near Vancouver and Portland will continue. Access to some floating home communities may be affected.
17 ft
expect flooding of some lowland access roads, parking areas, and trails on Sauvie Island, around Vancouver Lake, and other parks and trails along the Columbia in the Portland / Vancouver metro area. Access to some house-boat communities is impaired.
16.5 ft
expect flooding of several parks along the Columbia River in Clark and Multnomah Counties, including Capt William Clark Park in Washougal, areas around Vancouver Lake, and trails along the Columbia River. Low areas on Sauvie Island and Government Island are flooded. Boaters should be aware of faster currents and more debris than usual in the river.
16 ft
expect flooding of some islands and low areas, with minor impacts for parks and trails along the river.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 6, 1894 | 33.6 ft | — |
| Jun 6, 1894 | 33.6 ft | — |
| Jun 12, 1948 | 31 ft | -9,999 cfs |
| Jun 12, 1948 | 31 ft | -9,999 cfs |
| May 31, 1948 | 30.8 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
VAPW1
River
Columbia River
County
Clark, WA
Coordinates
45.6314°N, 122.6964°W
Get Flood Alerts for Columbia 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 Columbia River at Vancouver?
The Columbia River at Vancouver gauge is maintained by USGS 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 Columbia River at Vancouver?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Columbia River at Vancouver is 16 feet. Action stage begins at 15 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 20 feet, and major flooding at 25 feet.
How do I get alerts when Columbia River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Columbia River at Vancouver 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 Columbia River at Vancouver gauge located?
The gauge is located in Clark County, Washington at coordinates 45.6314°N, 122.6964°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: National Ocean Service
- Gauge reading affected by ocean tides.