Smith River at Dr Fine Bridge, CA
River level and flood forecast · Del Norte County
The river is 22.0 ft below flood stage (33 ft).
Forecast to hold near 11.0 ft through Sat, Oct 17, 5 AM.
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 7:30 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Get flood alerts for this river
An email when the National Weather Service forecasts Smith River at Dr Fine Bridge to flood, when it floods, and when it's over.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 39 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 36 ft |
| Flood stage | 33 ft |
| Action stage | 27 ft |
| Record crest (December 22, 1964) | 39.5 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 40 ftMany roads and structures in the vicinity of the river are likely to be threatened. Significant flooding expected along US Highways 101 and 199, South Bank Rd, and in low lying areas between Lake Earl and the river, including areas along Lower Lake Drive.
- 38 ftExpect flooding of portions of Highway 197 and South Bank Rd in the vicinity of US Highway 101. Flooding is also expected in low lying areas between Lake Earl and the river, including areas along Lower Lake Drive. Some access roads and homes in this area may be flooded.
- 36 ftFlooding of South Bank Rd in the vicinity of US Highway 101 is likely. Water can flow across low-lying areas into Lake Earl about 4 miles south of the river, including areas along Lower Lake Drive. Some low-lying residential access roads may flood.
- 33 ftFlooding is likely near the gravel plant and on South Bank Road in the vicinity of US Highway 101. Water may flow across low-lying areas into Lake Earl about 4 miles south of the river, including areas along lower Lake Drive.
- 31 ftMinor flooding may occur around the gravel plant near US Highway 101 and South Bank Road approximately 1 mile upstream from Doctor Fine Bridge.
Highest crests on record
- 39.5 ft — December 22, 1964
- 37.4 ft — December 22, 1955
- 37.2 ft — March 3, 1972
- 37.1 ft — January 22, 1972
- 36.9 ft — October 29, 1950
Recent crests: 26.84 ft (December 19, 2025) · 32.38 ft (December 29, 2024) · 35.04 ft (January 13, 2024) · 27.34 ft (December 3, 2023) · 29.72 ft (March 13, 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 (FTDC1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.