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

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WEST WALKER RIVER - BELOW LITTLE WALKER RIVER NEAR COLEVILLE (WWBC1)
Latitude: 38.38º NLongitude: 119.45º WElevation: 6591 Feet
Location: Mono County in CaliforniaRiver Group: Eastern Sierra
Monitor Stage: 5.5 FeetFlood Stage: 6.0 Feet

Observed Data Credit
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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
2022
3,030
6.05
Oct 25, 2021
2021
909
3.65
May 7, 2021
2020
1,300
4.19
Apr 29, 2020
2019
2,970
6.16
Jun 7, 2019
2018
3,320
5.76
Apr 7, 2018
 Historical High Stage/Flow Events (Period of Record - Apr 1938 to Present) - Ranked by Flow
1997*
12,300
10.11
Jan 02, 1997
1951*
6,220
8.10
Nov 20, 1950
1938*
5,800
--
Dec 11, 1937
1956*
5,180
7.41
Dec 23, 1955
1996*
4,610
6.55
May 16, 1996
 * Numerous small gage location changes, some including datum changes, prior to Mar 1997.
Location Photographs
ESRI™ Locator Map
Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast   (CAZ073)
Today: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers in the morning, then sunny in the afternoon. Snow level 6000 feet lowering to the valley floor. Snow accumulation of 1 to 5 inches. Highs 39 to 49. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 40 mph. Ridge gusts up to 85 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Lows 17 to 27. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Ridge gusts up to 55 mph.

Friday: Slight chance of snow showers in the morning, then snow showers likely in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Highs 36 to 46. Light winds becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Chance of showers. Lows 19 to 29. Southwest winds around 10 mph in the evening becoming light.

Saturday: Snow showers in the morning, then snow showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 34 to 44. Light winds becoming southeast around 10 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Snow showers likely and slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then chance of snow showers after midnight. Lows 14 to 24.

Sunday and Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers. Highs 34 to 44. Lows 16 to 26.

Monday: Partly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Highs 39 to 49.

Monday Night and Tuesday: Clear. Lows 18 to 28. Highs 49 to 59.

Tuesday Night and Wednesday: Clear. Lows 25 to 35. Highs 53 to 63.
Impacts - E19 Information
5.5 FeetMonitor stage. No flooding in reach from West Walker River Canyon through Antelope Valley CA, including Walker, Coleville, and Topaz CA.
6.0 FeetFlood Stage. Minor flooding of lowlands, pasture, and rural roads in Antelope Valley including Walker, Coleville, and Topaz CA. Roughly similar to June 2019 and October 2021 crests.
6.5 FeetExpanding minor flooding of lowlands, pastures, and some rural roads between the West Walker River Canyon and Topaz Lake, including Walker, Coleville, and Topaz CA. Out of banks flows may cause significant erosion of agricultural lands. Similar to the peak of June 2023.
6.8 FeetModerate flooding of lowlands, agricultural lands, yards, basements, and rural roads in the West Walker River Canyon and in Antelope Valley including Walker, Coleville, and Topaz CA. Flooding of structures limited, although some sandbagging necessary. Roughly similar, but slightly below June 2017 peak.
7.3 FeetMajor flooding in the West Walker River Canyon and in Antelope Valley including Walker, Coleville, and Topaz CA. Many buildings flooded and roads washed out. Major damage to agricultural lands. Extensive sandbagging required to protect property. Transportation affected. Damage to Highway 395 in the West Walker Canyon likely. Similar to the 4th highest peak flow in the 85 year gauge record.
8.0 FeetFlooding near disaster levels in the West Walker Canyon and in Antelope Valley. Numerous structures flooded and roads washed out. Sections of Highway 395 likely destroyed in West Walker Canyon. Major damage to agricultural land due to erosion and destroyed diversion dams, headgates, canals, and levees. Similar to the 2nd highest flood of record in November 1950, and only exceeded in January 1997.
8.5 FeetFlood disaster from Walker River Canyon through Antelope Valley. Widespread flood damage to roads, bridges, homes, and structures along river. Severe damage to Highway 395 in West Walker River Canyon with the highway likely closed. Histoically this flow has been exceeded only once in January 1997.
9.5 FeetNear record flooding. Area cut off as most transportation routes into area destroyed or flooded. Massive destruction of infrastructure and economy including utilities, roads, businesses, homes, etc.
10.0 FeetFlood of record. Highway 395 in West Walker River Canyon closed for months. Massive destruction to infrastructure and economy including transportation, power, water, homes, businesses, etc. Area isolated. Near this flow in January 1997 a 6.5 mile stretch of Highway 395 completely scoured with debris from the canyon deposited in the town of Walker.
10.5 FeetIncredible flood disaster in excess of January 1997 event.
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.