Cowlitz River at Castle Rock
Washington — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Cowlitz County, Washington on the Cowlitz River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 14243000, 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
57 ft
115,000 cfs
Moderate Flood
54 ft
93,000 cfs
Minor Flood
48 ft
58,000 cfs
Action Stage
46 ft
50,000 cfs
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
57 ft
expect widespread and major flooding of homes and property just upstream and downstream of Castle Rock. Impacts include major flooding of the fairgrounds area west of Castle Rock, numerous road closures, and possible overtopping or weakening of portions of the levee protecting Castle Rock, especially sections downstream of the highway bridge.
54 ft
expect widespread flooding of residential and business areas, especially west of the river in the Four Corners area and along Hwy 411. Also expect widespread flooding of agricultural land. Levees have historically been threatened of overtopping at this and higher levels.
51 ft
flooding of buildings and residential areas begins, especially west of the river along Hwy 411 and around Four Corners. Also expect widespread flooding of low-lying agricultural land.
48 ft
expect flooding of several roads and low-lying agricultural lands in areas not protected by levees.
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 | 55.76 ft | 112,000 cfs |
| Feb 8, 1996 | 55.76 ft | 112,000 cfs |
| Nov 29, 1995 | 55.16 ft | — |
| Nov 29, 1995 | 55.16 ft | — |
| Jan 8, 2009 | 54.7 ft | 106,723 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
CASW1
River
Cowlitz River
County
Cowlitz, WA
Coordinates
46.2744°N, 122.9125°W
Get Flood Alerts for Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz River at Castle Rock?
The Cowlitz River at Castle Rock gauge is maintained by USGS (site 14243000) 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 Cowlitz River at Castle Rock?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Cowlitz River at Castle Rock is 48 feet. Action stage begins at 46 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 54 feet, and major flooding at 57 feet.
How do I get alerts when Cowlitz River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Cowlitz River at Castle Rock 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 Cowlitz River at Castle Rock gauge located?
The gauge is located in Cowlitz County, Washington at coordinates 46.2744°N, 122.9125°W. USGS site number: 14243000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey