Willamette River at Salem, OR

The last 7 days and the forecast

NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 8:25 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.

• 37 ftKeizer begins to flood. Also expect major widespread flooding from Santiam confluence to Oregon City.
• 35 ftnumerous roads and structures are flooded. The Willamette River also backs up water from tributary streams and creeks, which in turn produces flooding of residential neighborhoods along these creeks in Salem and Keizer.
• 32 ftexpect widespread flooding. Numerous roads and structures in the Salem/Keizer vicinity are flooded. The Willow Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant is likely flooded at this level.
• 30 ftexpect widespread flooding of lowland agricultural areas and rural and secondary roads. Also expect flooding along some creeks which drain into the Willamette in and near Salem due to backwater from the Willamette. The Willow Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant is threatened with flood water above this level.
• 28 ftwidespread lowland flooding begins along the banks of the Willamette and islands on the mid Willamette, such as Browns, Minto, and Windsor islands. Numerous secondary roads begin flooding at this point.
• 26 ftexpect flooding of numerous roads along the Willamette in the Salem area. Homes on Browns Island begin flooding at this level.
• 23 ftminor flooding occurs on Grand Island and other islands in the mid Willamette River. Access roads to these islands are also likely flooded at this point.
• 20 ftaccess roads to the islands on the Willamette River near Salem begin to flood.
• 18 ftnumerous sloughs are filled, and a few secondary roads begin to flood at this point.
• 15 ftthe Wheatland and Buena Vista ferries will likely cease operation due to safety concerns.

Highest crests on record

1. 47 ft — December 4, 1861
2. 47 ft — December 4, 1891
3. 45.1 ft — February 5, 1890
4. 43.3 ft — January 16, 1880
5. 37.78 ft — December 23, 1964

Recent crests: 27.3 ft (April 12, 2019) · 29.42 ft (January 21, 2012) · 22.01 ft (February 2, 2003) · 22.96 ft (November 27, 1999) · 28.75 ft (December 30, 1998)

Up and down the river, and nearby

• UpstreamWillamette River at Albany, OR
• Luckiamute River near Suver, OR
• Santiam River at Jefferson, OR
• N Santiam River at Greens Bridge near Jefferson, OR
• Butte Creek at Monitor, OR
• Pudding River near Woodburn, OR
• South Yamhill River at McMinnville, OR
• Thomas Creek near Scio, OR