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		Bulletin Group: Eastern Sierra		River Group: Eastern Sierra

Action/Monitor: 12.5 Feet

Minor Flood: 13.5 Feet

Moderate Flood: 14.5 Feet

Major Flood: 15.0 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	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

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.

Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast (CAZ072)

Today: Snow and rain likely. Patchy fog in the morning. Freezing fog through the day. Fog in the afternoon. Snow level 7000 to 7500 feet. Snow accumulation of 1 to 4 inches. Highs 38 to 43. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Ridge gusts up to 50 mph.

Tonight: Snow and rain likely. Areas of dense freezing fog in the evening. Patchy fog through the night. Snow level 6500 feet. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches with up to 4 inches above 7000 feet. Lows 24 to 34. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Ridge gusts up to 60 mph.

Monday: Snow and rain. Snow level 6500 feet. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches with 2 to 6 inches above 7000 feet. Highs 36 to 41. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Ridge gusts up to 55 mph.

Monday Night: Snow likely. Lows 19 to 29. Light winds.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs 35 to 40. Light winds.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow and rain. Lows 17 to 27.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Highs 39 to 49.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly cloudy with a slight chance of snow after midnight. Lows 20 to 30.

Thursday through Friday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs 36 to 46. Lows 18 to 28.

Friday Night and Saturday: Partly cloudy. Lows 18 to 28. Highs 44 to 54.

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.

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