Humboldt River near Elko, NV

The last 7 days and the forecast

NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 8:01 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.

Flood stages

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

• 11.5 ftFlood disaster - major damage occurs to roads, railroads, and agriculture including livestock drownings. Major impact occurs to transportation and communications. Approaches to all three bridges in Elko will likely flood: Errecart Blvd., 5th Street, and 12th Street. Homes located withing the floodplain are likely impacted.
• 11 ftRecord Streamflow, major to record flooding. Major damage occurs to roads, railroads and agriculture, including livestock drownings. Major impact occurs to transportation and communications. Approaches to all three bridges in Elko are nearly flooded: Errecart Blvd., 5th Street, and 12th Street. Homes located within the floodplain could be impacted.
• 10.7 ftNear Record Streamflow. Major damage to roads, railroads and structures. Moderate impact occurs to transportation and communication. Livestock will be greatly impacted. Elko will flood from near River Street north of the river to near Wilson Ave. and Bullion Road south of the river. Flooding also occurs north of 12th Street including Opal Drive. River is above storm drain elevation.
• 10 ftMajor Flood Stage - major flooding occurs throughout the reach. Major damage occurs to roads, railroads, and structures. Livestock are impacted. Elko is flooded to near River Street north of the river to near Wilson Ave south of the river between 1st and 9th Streets, as well as from 9th Street and Lyon Ave. to 12th Street. Basements in low-lying parts of town will flood. Flooded areas are pumped by the city.
• 9 ftModerate to major flooding occurs throughout the reach. Significant damage occurs to roads, railroads, and structures. Livestock are impacted. Elko flooding occurs between Douglas and Water Streets north of the river and to Front Street south of the river between 1st and 9th streets, as well as from 9th and Lyon Ave. to 12th Steet. Basements will be impacted along this corridor. City pumping of flooded areas begins.
• 8.5 ftModerate flooding occurs throughout the reach, including in Elko. Some flooding and damage occurs to rural roads throughout the floodplain. Elko flooding occurs between Douglas and Water Streets north of the river and to Front Street south of the river between 1st and 9th Streets, as well as from 9th Street and Lyon Ave to 12th Street. Basements will be impacted along this corridor.
• 8 ftModerate Flood Stage - Moderate lowland flooding occurs throughout the reach, with minor to moderate flooding in Elko caused by backed up storm drains. Minor flooding of rural roads occurs. In Elko, flood waters continue to rise between Douglas and Water Streets on the north side of the river, and to Front Street south of the river between 1st and 9th Streets, as well as from 9th and Lyon ave to 12th Street. Basements may be impacted along this corridor.
• 7 ftMinor lowland flooding begins throughout the reach and minor flooding of rural roads occurs. In Elko, minor flooding occurs in the parking lots on Water Street between 7th and 9th Streets and from backed-up storm drains at the following intersections: 1st and Water Streets, 3rd and Water Streets, 2nd and Douglas Streets, and 6th and Front Streets.
• 6.7 ftMinor Flood Stage - Minor flooding begins in Elko. The storm drain at 1st and Water Streets starts to back up.
• 6.2 ftMinor lowland flooding occurs upstream and downstream of Elko. Very minor flooding from backed up storm drains begins in Elko, especially in the parking lots on Water Street between 7th and 9th Streets.
• 5.5 ftAction Stage - Near bankfull conditions. Isolated minor lowland flooding possible upstream and downstream of Elko. No flooding expected in Elko.

Highest crests on record

1. 12.3 ft — February 13, 1962
2. 12.18 ft — March 4, 1983
3. 10.67 ft — February 10, 2017
4. 10.22 ft — May 17, 1984
5. 9.6 ft — April 30, 1952

Recent crests: 6.63 ft (May 27, 2023) · 6.69 ft (June 9, 2019) · 10.67 ft (February 10, 2017) · 6.54 ft (June 21, 2011) · 8.78 ft (April 7, 2006)

Up and down the river, and nearby

• UpstreamNorth Fork Humboldt River near Halleck, NV
• DownstreamHumboldt River near Carlin, NV
• Lamoille Creek near Lamoille, NV
• South Fork Humboldt River above Dixie Creek, NV
• South Fork Humboldt River above Ten Mile Creek, NV
• Beaver Creek above Halleck, NV
• Marys River above Hot Springs Creek nr Deeth, NV
• Pine Creek nr Palisade, NV