Major Flood
14 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
13 ft
Minor Flood
10 ft
Action Stage
8 ft
What Floods at Each Level
16 ft
the Nisqually River will cause severe near record flooding from La Grande downstream through McKenna to the mouth. Deep and swift flood waters will inundate roads...farms...and residential areas...including the nursing home in McKenna. Erosion will likely cause severe damage. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Nisqually River Basin.
14 ft
the Nisqually River will cause major flooding from La Grande downstream through McKenna to the mouth. Deep and swift waters will flood roads...farms...and residential areas...including the nursing home in McKenna. Erosion may cause severe damage. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Nisqually River Basin.
13 ft
the Nisqually River will flood from La Grande downstream through McKenna to the mouth. Swift waters will flood roads...farms...and some residential areas including the nursing home in McKenna. Erosion will likely damage properties along river banks.
12 ft
the Nisqually River will flood from La Grande downstream through McKenna to the mouth. Flood waters will flow over some roads and through farms and residential areas. Erosion may damage some properties. High tidal levels on Puget Sound will cause flooding along the lower reaches...threatening homes along Riverside Drive...Cononie Street and Conine Avenue.
10 ft
the Nisqually River will flood at the lower end near the mouth. High tide levels on Puget Sound may increase the amount of flooding. The Nisqually River will also spill over its banks between La Grande and McKenna.
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 7, 1996 | 17.13 ft | 50,000 cfs |
| Jan 28, 1965 | 13 ft | 25,700 cfs |
| Nov 29, 1995 | 12.48 ft | 21,200 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
MKNW1
River
Nisqually River
County
Thurston, WA
Coordinates
46.9336°N, 122.5597°W
Get Flood Alerts for Nisqually 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 Nisqually River at McKenna?
The Nisqually River at McKenna gauge is maintained by USGS (site 12089500) 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 Nisqually River at McKenna?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Nisqually River at McKenna is 10 feet. Action stage begins at 8 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 13 feet, and major flooding at 14 feet.
How do I get alerts when Nisqually River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Nisqually River at McKenna 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 Nisqually River at McKenna gauge located?
The gauge is located in Thurston County, Washington at coordinates 46.9336°N, 122.5597°W. USGS site number: 12089500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
On This River
Upstream: Nisqually River near National
More Resources
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.