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 06 2026 at 1:19 PM PST

Next Issuance:

Jan 07 2026 at 9:00 AM 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)

Today: Chance of rain in the morning, then rain showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 45 to 55. West wind 5 to 15 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Rain showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then chance of rain overnight. Lows 32 to 42. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph shifting to the northeast around 5 mph overnight.

Thursday: Partly cloudy. Chance of rain in the morning. Slight chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs 45 to 55. Northeast wind around 5 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows 32 to 42. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny. Highs 51 to 61. East wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows 36 to 46.

Saturday through Sunday: Mostly cloudy. Highs 51 to 63. Lows 36 to 46.

Sunday Night through Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Lows 39 to 49. Highs 53 to 67.

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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