CNRFC - Hydrology - Observed River/Reservoir Conditions

CARSON RIVER - CARSON CITY (STWN2)

Latitude: 39.11º N	Longitude: 119.71º W	Elevation: 4620 Feet
Location: Carson City County in Nevada		Bulletin Group: Eastern Sierra		River Group: Eastern Sierra

Action/Monitor: 8.0 Feet

Minor Flood: 10.0 Feet

Moderate Flood: 10.5 Feet

Major Flood: 11.0 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 Stage/Flow Data
Water Year	Peak Discharge (cfs)	Stage (feet)	Date
Most Recent 5 Years
2024*	1,960	5.19	May 19, 2024
2023*	6,980	9.29	Mar 11, 2023
2022*	2,630	5.86	Oct 25, 2021
2021*	506	3.51	May 7, 2021
2020*	1,410	4.19	Apr 30, 2020
Historical High Stage/Flow Events (Period of Record - May 1939 to Present) - Ranked by Flow
1997*	30,500	18.43	Jan 3, 1997
1956*	30,000	15.00**	Dec 24, 1955
1963*	21,900	13.11**	Feb 1, 1963
1951*	15,500	11.40**	Nov 22, 1950
1986*	13,200	13.16	Feb 18, 1986
* Discharge affected by regulation or diversion
** Old Datum. The difference is +1.0 ft and must be applied to data to convert to new datum.

Location Photographs
Upstream Photo	Gage House Photo	Downstream Photo

ESRI™ Locator Map

Flood Impacts
19.0 Feet	Record flooding with damage previously unknown from Carson Valley to Fort Churchill, including Carson City and Dayton areas. All towns along the Carson River above Lahontan Dam are likely cut off, with bridges and roads badly damaged or destroyed. Heavy damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Exceeding the January 1997 peak level, and about 1 in 100 chance of occurring in any given year.
18.0 Feet	Near Record Flooding, Massive Damage from Carson Valley to Fort Churchill, including the Carson City and Dayton areas. Towns along the Carson River above Lahontan Dam may be cut off. Bridges, roads, homes, and other infrastructure are badly damaged or destroyed. Just below the January 1997 peak level.
17.0 Feet	Approaching record flooding. All towns along the Carson River above Lahontan Dam may be inaccessible, with bridges and roads destroyed or badly damaged, including heavy damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Carson Valley becomes a lake 3 miles wide by 12 miles long, the river is over a half mile wide in places. Thousands of acres of farmland flooded. Peak flows near this level have only been exceeded twice in the 80+ year history of the gage (1997 and 1955),and about a 1 in 50 chance in any year.
16.0 Feet	Major flood disaster with massive destruction of homes and infrastructure from Genoa to Fort Churchill, including Carson City and Dayton. Many towns and developments are isolated, with transportation nearly impossible with severe damage to infrastructure and agricultural areas. This is roughly equivalent to the third largest flood in the gage history (Februrary 1963).
15.0 Feet	Flood disaster from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Transportation is extremely difficult, with road closures likely to be long duration. Very large number of structures affected with severe damage to infrastructure (roads, bridges, power, water, and communications). Most cultivated fields are underwater, with large livestock losses possible.
14.0 Feet	Massive flooding from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Transportation is extremely difficult. A large number of structures affected with severe damage to infrastructure (roads, bridges, power, water, and communications). Most cultivated fields are underwater, with large livestock losses possible. Roughly similar to the 4th largest flood in gage history.
13.0 Feet	Extensive flooding with major damage to roads, bridges, and structures from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Almost all roads in valley areas flooded, making transportation very difficult. Massive bank erosion is possible. Large agricultural losses are likely due to erosion and rapid flow, including potential livestock drownings if not moved to higher ground.
12.5 Feet	Extensive flooding with major damage to roads, bridges, and structures from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Move livestock and equipment to higher ground if possible. Roughly similar to December 31, 2005 peak level.
12.0 Feet	Major flooding with significant damage to roads, bridges, and structures from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Many roads in valley areas flooded, making transportation very difficult. Major bank erosion is possible. Agricultural losses are likely due to erosion and rapid flow. Move livestock and machinery to higher ground if possible. US Hwy 395 near Cradlebaugh Bridge likely closed in advance of reaching this stage.
11.5 Feet	Major flooding with significant damage to roads, bridges, and structures from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Many roads in valley areas flooded, making transportation very difficult. Significant bank erosion is possible. Agricultural losses are possible due to erosion and rapid flow. Move livestock and machinery to higher ground if possible. Hwy 395 near Cradlebaugh Bridge likely closed in advance of reaching this stage. Similar peak level to February 2017 event.
11.0 Feet	Major flooding with many roads, highways, homes, and structures flooded from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City, Stewart, Empire, and Dayton. Many transportation routes affected, including US Hwy 395 near Cradlebaugh Bridge, which is likely closed six to twelve hours before this stage is observed. Significant bank erosion is possible with the capability of causing major damage as the river channel begins to move around laterally.
10.5 Feet	Moderate flooding from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. Damage to roads, parks, bridges, crops, irrigation systems, and buildings in lower areas. Several homes and businesses could begin to flood in lower parts of Genoa, Carson Valley, Stewart, and Dayton. Transportation begins to be affected. Water likely impacts southbound Hwy 395 near Cradlebaugh Bridge 6 to 12 hours before this stage is observed. Similar to the January 2017 event.
10.0 Feet	Flood stage. Minor flooding of lower portions of flood plain from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton. River begins to go out of banks at this stage. Several homes may begin to experience minor flooding in Genoa, Carson Valley, and Dayton. Minor to moderate damage to parks and agriculture.
9.5 Feet	Minor lowland flooding in flood prone areas along river from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton.
9.0 Feet	Minor lowland flooding in lower reaches from Genoa to Fort Churchill, including Carson City and Dayton, Nevada. Sandbagging maybe necessary in some of the lowest areas, though most flooding is limited to pasture areas along the river, and possible inundation of Morgan Mill road.
8.5 Feet	Very minor lowland flooding from Genoa to Fort Churchill, including Carson City and Dayton, Nevada. Sandbagging may be necessary in the Willow Bend area near Genoa to avoid minor flooding of private property. Prolonged flows near and above this level may result in significant bank erosion.
8.0 Feet	Monitoring stage. Flood threat and localized overbank flows begin in lowest areas from Genoa to Fort Churchill, including Carson City and Dayton along the Carson River. Especially flood prone areas include: lower Carson Valley, Willow Bend in Genoa; Empire Ranch Golf Course, Mexican Dam area, Pinion Hills, Snyder Lane, Morgan Mill Road, Brunswick Canyon, as well as parks and agricultural land in the floodplain. Preparations for flooding should begin in these areas if additional rises are forecast.

Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast (NVZ003)

Today: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Snow level 5500 to 6000 feet. Highs 56 to 61. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Snow level 6500 to 7000 feet. Lows 35 to 40. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the evening.

Wednesday: Sunny. Highs 64 to 69. Light winds becoming northwest around 10 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Lows 39 to 44. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph in the evening becoming light.

Thursday: Sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Highs 72 to 77. Light winds becoming northwest around 10 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows 47 to 52.

Friday and Friday Night: Mostly cloudy. Highs 71 to 76. Lows 48 to 53.

Saturday: Breezy. Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Highs 62 to 67.

Saturday Night and Sunday: Breezy. Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Lows 38 to 43. Highs 58 to 63.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Lows 39 to 44.

Monday: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Highs 67 to 72.

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