CNRFC - Hydrology - Observed River/Reservoir Conditions

WEST FORK CARSON RIVER - WOODFORDS (WOOC1)

Latitude: 38.77º N	Longitude: 119.83º W	Elevation: 5755 Feet
Location: Alpine County in California		River Group: Eastern Sierra

Monitor Stage: 12.5 Feet

Flood Stage: 13.5 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
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	451	12.68	May 11, 2025
2024	678	13.12	Apr 23, 2024
2023	1,940	14.02	May 19, 2023
2022	1,180	13.51	Oct 25, 2021
2021	241	11.56	May 7, 2021
Historical High Stage/Flow Events (Period of Record - Oct 1938 to Present) - Ranked by Flow
1997	8,100	7.32	Jan 01, 1997
1963	4,890**	9.00	Feb 01, 1963
1956	4,810	8.86*	Dec 23, 1955
1951	4,810	8.86*	Dec 23, 1955
1938	3,500	8.00*	Dec 11, 1937
1965	3,100	6.70	Dec 23, 1964
* Prior to November 1958, gage at two different datums at the same location. ** November 1958 to January 1963, gage 150 ft downstream. Datum change with a difference of +3.06 ft must be applied to data in this time range to convert to current datum.

Location Photographs
Upstream Photo	Gage House Photo	Downstream Photo

ESRI™ Locator Map

Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast (CAZ072)

Today: Rain and snow. Snow level 9000 feet lowering to 8000 feet. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Highs 39 to 44. Light winds becoming south around 10 mph in the afternoon. Ridge gusts up to 55 mph.

Tonight: Snow and rain likely in the evening, then partly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow after midnight. Snow level 6500 to 7000 feet. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Lows 21 to 31. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Ridge gusts up to 50 mph.

Friday: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of snow in the morning, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Highs 42 to 52. Light winds. Ridge gusts up to 50 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Slight chance of rain and snow in the evening, then snow and rain likely after midnight. Snow level 6500 feet. Lows 26 to 36. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph after midnight. Ridge gusts up to 65 mph increasing to 80 mph after midnight.

Saturday: Heavy snow and rain. Snow level 7000 feet. Highs 37 to 47. South winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Ridge gusts up to 85 mph.

Saturday Night: Heavy snow showers, rain and slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows 27 to 37.

Sunday and Sunday Night: Heavy snow and rain. Highs 35 to 45. Lows 24 to 34.

Monday: Heavy snow. Highs 33 to 43.

Monday Night and Tuesday: Snow likely. Lows 18 to 28. Highs 33 to 38.

Tuesday Night and Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows 17 to 27. Highs 35 to 40.

Flood Impacts
15.5 Feet	Disastrous, record flooding along entire reach of West Fork Carson River in both Alpine County, California, and Douglas County, Nevada. Extensive damage to homes, businesses, schools, roads, bridges, and irrigation systems. Communications, power, and transportation systems severely disrupted. Many highways, roads, and bridges impassable. Roughly Similar peak level to January 1997 event.
15.0 Feet	Major Flooding. Substantial damage to homes, businesses, schools, and property in south Carson Valley from Centerville to Genoa. Many local roads flood including Centerville, Mottsville, and Muller Lanes. Interruption of power, communications, and water systems. Major flooding also in Alpine County, California, near Woodfords and Paynesville. CA Highways 89 and 88, and NV Highway 88 flood. Downstream Hwy 395 floods.
14.5 Feet	Moderate flooding in southwest Carson Valley between Centerville and Genoa, with some damage to homes and businesses. Many local roads flooded in this area. Minor to moderate flooding in Alpine County, California, near Woodfords and Paynesville. Lane or road closures on Highway 395 north of Stephanie Way likely if combined with flood flows on the East Fork. Similar peak level to December 2005 event.
14.0 Feet	Minor flooding in the southwestern Carson Valley between Centerville and Genoa,impacting agricultural areas, local roads, and outbuildings. Impacts will be more significant if heavy rain and/or snowmelt cause significant rises in small creeks draining the east side of the Carson Range below Woodfords. Possible lane closures on Highway 395 north of Stephanie Way if combined with flood flows on the East Fork. Similar peak level to January 2017 event and May 2017 peak snowmelt.
13.5 Feet	Minor flooding begins in lowest areas along the West Fork of the Carson River in southwest Carson Valley including agricultural areas, local roads and outbuildings. Residents along the river should prepare for more serious flooding if there are additional rises expected due to snowmelt and/or rainfall runoff. Impacts will be more significant if heavy rain and/or snowmelt causes significant rises in small creeks draining the east side of the Carson Range below Woodfords. Similar to peak of Feb 2017 event.
12.5 Feet	Monitoring Stage. No flooding occurs. However, residents along the West Fork Carson River should be prepared for flooding if there are additional rises expected due to snowmelt and/or rainfall runoff.

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 Reno 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