Malheur River at Vale, OR
River level and flood forecast · Malheur County
The river is 8.8 ft below flood stage (19.5 ft).
Forecast to fall to 10.2 ft by Mon, Oct 19, 6 PM.
Flow: 48 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 1:08 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
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An email when the National Weather Service forecasts Malheur River at Vale to flood, when it floods, and when it's over.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 23 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 21 ft |
| Flood stage | 19.5 ft |
| Action stage | 19 ft |
| Record crest (February 24, 1957) | 24.58 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 24 ftThe river level will be about three feet from overtopping the levee which protects the city of Vale from major flooding. Even though there is still approximately three feet between the surface of the river and the top of the levee, any rise above 24 feet will exceed the safe design capacity of the levee. Major flooding of other areas within the 100 year flood plain between Harper and Ontario is likely.
- 23 ftWater may begin flowing over Highway 20 near Harper. Numerous roads crossing the river between Harper and Ontario will be flooded with water entering houses near the 36th Street Bridge in Ontario. Foothill and Lagoon Drive near Vale may flood if Willow Creek is running high. Extensive inundation of farmland will occur between Harper and Ontario.
- 22 ftExtensive flooding of farmland between Harper and Ontario will occur. Numerous roads near the river will be flooded including Harper Bridge Road near Harper, Butte Drive between Vale and Ontario, and the 36th Street Bridge area just upstream from Ontario including Malheur Drive. Some houses may be surrounded by water. The river crest will take about 12 hours to move downstream from Harper to Vale, and another 8 hours to move from Vale to Ontario.
- 21 ftFlood waters will rise above low spots on Copeland Road near Harper. Butte Drive will be flooded with water greater than 1 foot deep between the bridge and Foothill Drive. The area near the 36th Street Bridge upstream from Ontario will flood with water flowing over low spots on Malheur Drive. Debris damming on the 36th Street Bridge may be a problem. Water may cover portions of Airport Road and Russel Road southwest of Vale when Bully Creek is running high.
- 20.5 ftFlooding of some county roads near the river will occur, including Westfall Road near Harper.
- 19.5 ftThe river will begin spilling over its bank flooding farmland between Vale and Ontario. Water will begin approaching low spots on Butte Drive. Water will approach the 36th Street Bridge upstream from Ontario about 8 hours after flood stage is exceeded near Vale.
Highest crests on record
- 24.58 ft — February 24, 1957
- 23.8 ft — February 22, 1982
- 23.55 ft — February 25, 2025
- 23.31 ft — March 19, 1993
- 22.58 ft — January 18, 2011
Recent crests: 23.55 ft (February 25, 2025) · 15.99 ft (April 16, 2024) · 21.56 ft (April 12, 2023) · 12.35 ft (October 28, 2021) · 12.14 ft (October 21, 2020)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (VALO3); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.