Carson River near Carson City, NV

River level and flood forecast · Carson City County

Normal1.5 ftas of Mon 9:20 PM

The river is 8.5 ft below flood stage (10 ft).

Forecast to hold near 1.5 ft through Sat, Oct 17, 5 AM.

Flow: 27 cubic feet per second (USGS).

The last 7 days and the forecast

NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 7:59 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.

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An email when the National Weather Service forecasts Carson River near Carson City to flood, when it floods, and when it's over.

Flood stages

Major flood stage	11 ft
Moderate flood stage	10.5 ft
Flood stage	10 ft
Action stage	8 ft
Record crest (January 3, 1997)	19.19 ft

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

19 ftRecord 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 ftNear 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 ftApproaching 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 ftMajor 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 ftFlood 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 ftMassive 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 ftExtensive 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 ftExtensive 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 ftMajor 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 ftMajor 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 ftMajor 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 ftModerate 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 ftFlood 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 ftMinor lowland flooding in flood prone areas along river from Genoa to Fort Churchill, Nevada, including Carson City and Dayton.
9 ftMinor 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 ftVery 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 ftMonitoring 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.

Highest crests on record

19.19 ft — January 3, 1997
12.9 ft — February 18, 1986
12.24 ft — December 31, 2005
11.48 ft — February 11, 2017
10.44 ft — December 25, 1964

Recent crests: 8.8 ft (May 23, 2023) · 9.29 ft (March 11, 2023) · 11.48 ft (February 11, 2017) · 10.24 ft (January 10, 2017) · 12.24 ft (December 31, 2005)

Up and down the river, and nearby

See it on the live map →Radar & warnings for Carson City County NWS gauge page USGS gauge 10311000

Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (STWN2); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.