CNRFC - Hydrology - River Guidance - Graphical RVF

Location:

SMITH RIVER - DOCTOR FINE BRIDGE (FTDC1)

Latitude: 41.88º N	Longitude: 124.14º W	Elevation: 0 Feet
Location: Del Norte County in California		Bulletin Group: North Coast		River Group: North Coast

Issuance Time:

Jan 05 2026 at 12:54 PM PST

Next Issuance:

Jan 05 2026 at 9:00 PM PST

Action/Monitor: 27.0 Feet

Minor Flood: 33.0 Feet

Moderate Flood: 36.0 Feet

Major Flood: 39.0 Feet

Plot Type:

Please Note:
1) Each individual timeseries plotted on the graphical river forecast can be toggled on and off by clicking the legend entry above. If the "Observed (Raw Data)" contains bad data and is toggled off, the plot will scale to the remaining timeseries.

2) At extremely low river flows, the "Observed (Raw Data)" may show readings below the lower end of the available rating table, while the "Observed (Simulated)" will only show values at the bottom of the rating table, creating a potential discrepancy between the two readings.

Observed Data Credit
	Raw streamflow data is provided by the US Geological Survey (USGS). View US Geological Survey (USGS) Data for this station location.

Historical Stage/Flow Data
Note: Water Year 2025 is currently showing peak daily mean values. These will be updated to instantaneous peaks in the coming months.
Water Year	Peak Discharge (cfs)	Stage (feet)	Date
Most Recent 5 Years
2025	118,219*	32.38	Dec 29, 2024
2024	161,000*	35.04	Jan 13, 2024
2023	81,800*	29.72	Mar 13, 2023
2022	40,100*	24.67	Jan 4, 2022
2021	91,700*	30.59	Jan 13, 2021
Historical High Stage/Flow Events (Period of Record - Oct 1950 to Present) - Ranked by Flow
1965	207,000*	39.50	Dec 22, 1964
1956	176,500*	37.40	Dec 22, 1955
1972	173,700*	37.20	Mar 03, 1972
1951	170,000*	36.90	Oct 29, 1950
* Estimated flow (Not Official)

Location Photographs
Upstream Photo	Gage House Photo	Downstream Photo

ESRI™ Locator Map

Flood Impacts
40.0 Feet	Many roads and structures in the vicinity of the river are likely to be threatened. Significant flooding expected along US Highways 101 and 199, South Bank Rd, and in low lying areas between Lake Earl and the river, including areas along Lower Lake Drive.
38.0 Feet	Expect flooding of portions of Highway 197 and South Bank Rd in the vicinity of US Highway 101. Flooding is also expected in low lying areas between Lake Earl and the river, including areas along Lower Lake Drive. Some access roads and homes in this area may be flooded.
36.0 Feet	Flooding of South Bank Rd in the vicinity of US Highway 101 is likely. Water can flow across low-lying areas into Lake Earl about 4 miles south of the river, including areas along Lower Lake Drive. Some low-lying residential access roads may flood.
33.0 Feet	Flooding is likely near the gravel plant and on South Bank Road in the vicinity of US Highway 101. Water may flow across low-lying areas into Lake Earl about 4 miles south of the river, including areas along lower Lake Drive.
31.0 Feet	Minor flooding may occur around the gravel plant near US Highway 101 and South Bank Road approximately 1 mile upstream from Doctor Fine Bridge.

Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast (CAZ101)

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of drizzle through the night. Patchy fog overnight. Lows 38 to 48. East wind around 5 mph in the evening becoming light.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of drizzle and patchy fog in the morning. Chance of drizzle in the afternoon. Chance of rain through the day. Highs 47 to 57. Light winds becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Rain likely in the evening, then rain overnight. Lows 39 to 49. South wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Rain. Highs 46 to 56. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Rain. Lows 35 to 45. West wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of drizzle. Chance of rain. Highs 45 to 55. North wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows 33 to 43.

Friday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Highs 51 to 61.

Friday Night through Sunday: Partly cloudy. Lows 36 to 46. Highs 51 to 63.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows 38 to 48.

Monday: Sunny. Highs 54 to 64.

Product Disclaimer

This river graphic is not intended to serve as a substitute for official flood watches, warnings, advisories, or statements issued by the NWS Eureka Weather Forecast Office. Observations are preliminary and subject to change. River levels identified as "forecast" should be consistent with those contained in official NWS products. River levels identified as "guidance" have significant uncertainty due to future weather or reservoir regulation and are provided for planning purposes only.

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Verification - Historical Graphical RVF
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