Major Flood
22 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
20 ft
Minor Flood
18 ft
Action Stage
13.2 ft
What Floods at Each Level
22 ft
the Cowlitz River will cause major flooding from the vicinity of Randle downstream through Riffe Lake...with dangerous inundation of many roads including US Highway 12...residential and commercial areas...and farms. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Cowlitz River Basin.
20 ft
the Cowlitz River will cause flooding from the vicinity of Randle downstream through Riffe Lake...inundating many roads including US Highway 12 and much of the farm lands.
18 ft
the Cowlitz River will cause minor flooding from the vicinity of Randle downstream through Riffe Lake...covering nearby farm lands and several roads.
15 ft
the Cowlitz River will spill into low fields along river from the vicinity of Randle downstream through Riffe Lake...with shallow water over a few roads.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 7, 2006 | 25.24 ft | — |
| Feb 8, 1996 | 24.9 ft | -1 cfs |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 24.17 ft | 36,656 cfs |
About This Gauge
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 Randle?
The Cowlitz River at Randle gauge is maintained by USGS (site 14231000) 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 Randle?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Cowlitz River at Randle is 18 feet. Action stage begins at 13.2 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 20 feet, and major flooding at 22 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 Randle 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 Cowlitz River at Randle gauge located?
The gauge is located in Lewis County, Washington at coordinates 46.5319°N, 121.9569°W. USGS site number: 14231000. 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
- 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.