National Weather Service California Nevada River Forecast Center Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service

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KLAMATH RIVER - ORLEANS (ONSC1)
Latitude: 41.30º NLongitude: 123.54º WElevation: 354 Feet
Location: Humboldt County in CaliforniaBulletin Group: North CoastRiver Group: Klamath
Issuance Time: Dec 31 2025 at 1:20 PM PSTNext Issuance: Jan 01 2026 at 9:00 AM PST
Action/Monitor: 32.0 FeetMinor Flood: 38.0 FeetModerate Flood: 43.0 FeetMajor Flood: 48.0 Feet

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

Verification - Historical Graphical RVF
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To view other verification locations, use our Historical Graphical River Forecast Interface.
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*
71,400
21.80
Dec 29, 2024
2024*
51,900
18.67
Jan 13, 2024
2023*
67,800
21.49
Dec 27, 2022
2022*
21,100
11.67
Jan 7, 2022
2021*
45,300
17.33
Jan 13, 2021
 Historical High Stage/Flow Events (Period of Record - Oct 1927 to Present) - Ranked by Flow
1965*
307,000
76.50
Dec 22, 1964
1974*
279,000
37.24
Jan 16, 1974
1986*
278,000
37.16
Feb 18, 1986
1997*
258,000
37.79
Jan 01, 1997
2006*
213,000
34.80
Dec 30, 2005
1956*
202,000
59.40
Dec 22, 1955
 * Discharge affected by regulation or diversion
Location Photographs
ESRI™ Locator Map
Flood Impacts
43.0 FeetFlood waters are likely to cover Highway 96 in numerous locations and will threaten residences and businesses in and around orleans including Sandy Bar Cabins, Riverside Trailer Park and the downtown area. All persons in the vicinity of the river should take appropriate action and move to higher ground if necessary.
40.0 FeetExtensive flooding of areas south of Highway 96 near Orleans, Highway 96 north of the bridge at Orleans, at Ishi Pishi Bar, and near Slate Creek. Flooding of the fire house and other buildings on the southwest side of Orleans is expected. Flooding of Highway 96 in Orleans is possible.
38.0 FeetExtensive flooding of low lying areas south of Highway 96 near Orleans and of the highway itself north of the bridge at Orleans. Flooding is likely near Ishi Pishi Bar and Slate Creek. Water may enter the fire house and other buildings on the southwest side of Orleans.
37.0 FeetFlooding in low lying areas south of Highway 96 near Orleans and on the highway itself north of the bridge at Orleans will occur. There may also be flooding of Highway 96 at Ishi Pishi Bar.
35.0 FeetFlooding is likely in lower areas south of Highway 96 near Orleans and on the highway itself north of the bridge at Orleans. Flooding is possible on Highway 96 near Ishi Pishi Bar.
34.0 FeetFlooding is possible along Highway 96 north of the bridge at Orleans, and in adjacent low-lying areas.
Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast   (CAZ105)
Tonight: Rain likely in the evening, then rain overnight. Lows 41 to 51.

New Years Day: Patchy valley fog in the morning. Rain through the day. Highs 46 to 60.

Thursday Night: Rain through the night. Chance of drizzle overnight. Lows 42 to 52. Southeast wind around 20 mph overnight.

Friday: Mostly cloudy. Breezy. Chance of drizzle. Rain likely. Highs 48 to 63. Southeast wind 20 to 25 mph with gusts at higher elevations to around 40 mph.

Friday Night and Saturday: Windy, rain. Lows 40 to 50. Highs 48 to 63. South wind 20 to 30 mph with gusts at higher elevations to around 50 mph.

Saturday Night and Sunday: Rain. Lows 38 to 48. Highs 43 to 58.

Sunday Night: Rain. Lows 35 to 45.

Monday: Rain and snow. Highs 40 to 55.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain and snow. Lows 32 to 42.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Chance of drizzle. Chance of rain and snow. Highs 43 to 57.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Slight chance of drizzle. Chance of rain and snow. Lows 34 to 44.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain and snow. Highs 42 to 56.
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.