CNRFC - Hydrology - Observed River/Reservoir Conditions

MAD RIVER - ARCATA (ARCC1)

Latitude: 40.91º N	Longitude: 124.06º W	Elevation: 13 Feet
Location: Humboldt County in California		Bulletin Group: North Coast		River Group: North Coast

Action/Monitor: 15.0 Feet

Minor Flood: 22.0 Feet

Moderate Flood: 24.0 Feet

Major Flood: 28.0 Feet

Plot Type:

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 Mean Daily Stage/Flow Data
Water Year	Peak Discharge (cfs)	Stage (feet)	Date
Most Recent 5 Years
2025*	21,800	18.85	Dec 29, 2024
2024*	53,900	27.26	Jan 13, 2024
2023*	33,500	22.27	Dec 30, 2022
2022*	10,500	13.20	Jan 5, 2022
2021*	13,000	14.28	Feb 15, 2021
Historical High Stage/Flow Events (Period of Record - Aug 1950 to Present) - Ranked by Flow
1964*	81,000	30.70	Dec 22, 1964
1956	78,000	27.30	Dec 22, 1955
1953	75,000	26.15	Jan 17, 1953
1996*	54,700	24.17	Dec 30, 1995
1972*	54,400	23.44	Mar 02, 1972
2024*	53,900	27.26	Jan 13, 2024

* Discharge affected by regulation or diversion

Location Photographs
Upstream Photo	Gage House Photo	Downstream Photo

ESRI™ Locator Map

Flood Impacts
33.0 Feet	Disastrous flooding of all areas near the river from Blue Lake to the mouth. The river is forecast to exceed record levels. All roads in the vicinity of the river are likely to be innundated and travel will be severly restricted. Residents should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property. This would include homes in Blue Lake, Tyee City and the Arcata Bottoms, as well as US Highway 101 between Arcata and Mckinleyville.
32.0 Feet	Disastrous flooding of all areas near the river from Blue Lake to the mouth. The river is forecast to approach record levels. All roads in the vicinity of the river are likely to be innundated and travel will be severly restricted. Residents should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property. This would include homes in Blue Lake, Tyee City and the Arcata Bottoms, as well as US Highway 101 between Arcata and Mckinleyville.
30.0 Feet	Extensive, severe flooding of all low lying areas near the river from Blue Lake downstream to the mouth. Residents in these areas should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property. Critical locations include residential areas of Blue Lake, Tyee City, and the Arcata Bottoms, as well as US Highway 101 near Janes Road and areas near Giuntoli Lane.
28.0 Feet	Severe flooding of all low lying areas near the river from Blue Lake downstream to the mouth. Residents in these areas should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property. This includes residential areas of Tyee City and the Arcata Bottoms, US Highway 101 near Janes Road, areas near Giuntoli Lane, and Mad River Beach Road.
26.0 Feet	Severe flooding along Mad River Beach Road and extensive flooding of farmlands and other roads in the area. Flooding of residential areas around Tyee City is likely. Any low lying areas near the river could be flooded. Residents in these areas should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property.
24.0 Feet	Extensive flooding along Mad River Beach Road and adjacent farmlands. Some homes along the river could be threatened. Flooding of roads to Tyee City. High tides and strong onshore winds will enhance flood impacts.
23.0 Feet	Significant flooding of portions of Mad River Beach Road and adjacent farmlands is likely. May cause water to flow across roads to Tyee City. High tides and strong, onshore winds will aggravate flood impacts.
22.0 Feet	Significant flooding of portions of Mad River Beach Road. Water may flow across roads to Tyee City. Flood impacts will be aggravated by high tides and strong, onshore winds.
21.0 Feet	Flooding of Mad River Beach Road. Water may be flowing over roads to Tyee City. Flooding will be enhanced if the time of the crest is coincident with high tides and strong onshore winds.
18.0 Feet	Minor flooding of Mad River Beach Road near Tyee City.
15.0 Feet	Minor flooding begins on the Mad River Beach Road near Tyee City.

Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast (CAZ103)

Today: Rain showers likely in the morning, then rain showers in the afternoon. Highs 53 to 63. Southeast wind up to 10 mph.

Tonight: Rain showers. Lows 42 to 52. Northwest wind up to 10 mph with gusts to around 35 mph.

Monday: Rain showers in the morning, then rain showers likely in the afternoon. Highs 49 to 59. North wind 5 to 15 mph with gusts to around 35 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers. Lows 39 to 49. North wind around 15 mph.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Highs 51 to 61. North wind 5 to 15 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows 36 to 46.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Highs 53 to 63.

Wednesday Night: Cloudy. Rain showers likely. Lows 40 to 50.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Rain showers likely. Highs 52 to 62.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Lows 38 to 48.

Friday: Partly cloudy. Highs 53 to 63.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows 40 to 50.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers. Highs 54 to 64.

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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