San Diego River at Fashion Valley, CA
River level and flood forecast · San Diego County
The river is 5.8 ft below flood stage (10 ft).
Forecast to fall to 2.2 ft by Sat, Oct 17, 5 AM.
Flow: 93 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 7:56 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
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An email when the National Weather Service forecasts San Diego River at Fashion Valley to flood, when it floods, and when it's over.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 16.5 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 13.5 ft |
| Flood stage | 10 ft |
| Action stage | 7.5 ft |
| Record crest (February 21, 1980) | 16.3 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 16.5 ftMost unelevated roads and intersections in Mission Valley are flooded and impassable. Widespread damage to businesses, residences and roads throughout Mission Valley. Water will reach up to Highway 163.
- 13.5 ftPortions of Hotel Circle Road North under water. Qualcomm Way flooded and may close. Snapdragon Stadium parking may flood (likely not now) and water may back up on Chollas Creek. Mission Gorge Road at low water crossing closed with 1-2 feet of flowing water. Mission Center Road will have 2-3 feet of flowing water. Hotel Circle Road has areas of standing water.
- 12 ftEven more extensive road flooding occurs in and around Mission Valley. Qualcomm Way, Camino Del Este, Ward Road, and Mission Gorge Rd flooded. Mission Trolley Station flooded and may close due to flowing water. I-5 on and off ramps flooded at the San Diego River and Pacific Highway. Mission Center Road may begin flooding with debris on railings. Fashion Valley Trolley Station surrounded by water. 2 feet of water flowing over Fashion Valley Road across gates. Old golf course has been flooded at this level.
- 11 ftThe parking garages in Fashion Valley Mall can have up to 3 feet of water on the lowest levels. Water may begin to surround area hotels such as the River Leaf Inn. The Mission Trolley Station on Ward Road may begin to flood. Flooding begins on Camino De La Reina (under Highway 163).
- 10 ftMore extensive flooding begins at this level, more than just low lying areas. Fashion Valley Mall parking garage is taking on water at the lower levels, with 1 to 2 feet of water in the garage. Water on the Town and Country hotel parking lot adjacent to the river and USGS gage.
- 9 ftMore extensive low lying road flooding begins in and around Fashion Valley including Fashion Valley Road. Parking structures in and around Fashion Valley Mall can begin to take on water at the lowest levels.
- 7.5 ftAction stage. The first real impacts are seen on the San Diego River at this level. Low lying roads in and around Fashion Valley Mall begin to take on water. Avenida Del Rio is the first road to begin flooding.
Highest crests on record
- 16.3 ft — February 21, 1980
- 14.15 ft — February 28, 2017
- 14.01 ft — December 22, 2010
- 13.48 ft — February 21, 1914
- 13.47 ft — March 6, 1995
Recent crests: 10.4 ft (March 21, 2023) · 10.26 ft (March 15, 2023) · 8.45 ft (February 25, 2023) · 12.77 ft (January 16, 2023) · 10.16 ft (January 1, 2023)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (FSNC1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.