CNRFC - Hydrology - Observed River/Reservoir Conditions

SMITH RIVER - DOCTOR FINE BRIDGE (FTDC1)

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

Monitor Stage: 27.0 Feet

Flood Stage: 33.0 Feet

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

Historical Stage/Flow Data
Water Year	Peak Discharge (cfs)	Stage (feet)	Date
Most Recent 5 Years
2025	119,100*	32.44	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

Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast (CAZ101)

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers through the night. Patchy fog overnight. Lows 40 to 50. Northwest wind around 5 mph shifting to the northeast overnight.

Monday: Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. Rain showers likely in the morning, then chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Highs 50 to 60. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Patchy fog overnight. Lows 36 to 46. Northwest wind around 10 mph shifting to the northeast overnight.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog. Highs 50 to 60. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night and Wednesday: Rain showers. Lows 40 to 50. Highs 49 to 60. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Chance of rain. Lows 32 to 42.

Thursday: Sunny. Slight chance of rain. Highs 52 to 62.

Thursday Night: Clear. Lows 34 to 44.

Friday: Sunny. Highs 56 to 66.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows 39 to 49.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy. Highs 55 to 65.

Saturday Night and Sunday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain. Lows 43 to 53. Highs 54 to 65.

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.

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.

NWS RSS Feed