GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 191 

FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

FREQUENCY AND MAGNITUDE IN RELATION 

TO DRAINAGE BASIN CHARACTERISTICS 

By G. L. Bodhaine and W. H. Robinson 
UNITE!) STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Oscar L. Chapman, Secretary 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

W. E. Wrather, Director 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CffiCULAR 191 

FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

FREQUENCY AND MAGNITUDE IN· RELATION TO DRAINAGE BASIN CHARACTERISTICS 

By G. L. Bodhaine and W. H. Robinson 

Prepared in cooperation with the 

STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON 

Washington, D. C., 1952 

Free on application to the Geological Survey, Washington 25, D. C. 
Page 

Abstract....................... .......... 1 

Introduction.. . . • . • • • . • . • • . • . • . • . . • • . • . . 3 

Purpose and scope.................... 3 

Acknowledgments...................... 4 

Physical features of the area............ 4 

Topographical features............... 4 

Climatolog ical features.............. 5 

Characteristic s of flood runoff.......... 7 

Methods of analysis...................... 7 

Frequency at g aging s tation.......... 7 

Method of analysis............... 7 

Basic data....................... 8 

Re g ional d istribution................ 8 

Re g ional sampling................ G 

Selecting a comparable mean ••..•• 14 

Test for homo geneity .•.•.•.•..••• 14 

Composite frequenc y curve •....••• 19 

Derivation of the mean annual flood •• 20 

Drainage basin characteristics .•• 20 

3asin chara cteristics correlated. 21 

Geographical factor .....••....... 23 

Formula.......................... 27 

Limitations...................... 27 

Application of flood formula ••• ~ •...•..•• 30 

Method of obtaining b asin . 

charac teristics ..•.•.• ~ .••••. ~ ..••• 30 

Use of formula and nomo graph ..•.•..•• 30 

Use of composite frequency curve ..•.• 31 

Enveloping curve •••.•••••.•.•••.••....••• 31 

Conclusion. . . . . . . • • . . • . . • • . • . • . . . . • • . • • • • 31 

Gag ing-station records ••••••.•••.••••••• 33 

Stations from which homogeneous 

records were obtained .•..••..•.•..• 33 

Klickitat River basin ••••.•.•..•• 34 

Klicikitat River above West 

Fork, near Glenwood ...•..•• 34 

Klickitat River near Glenwood 34 

Klickitat River near Pitt •••• 35 

White Salmon River basin......... 35. 

White Salmon River at Husum .• 35 

White Salmon River near 

Underwood .••...•. ~ .•..• :. . • 36 

Little White Salmon River ba sin •• 37 · Little White Salmon River at 

Yvillard. . . . . . • • . • • • • . . . . . . • 37 

Wind River basin ..........•...•.• 38 

Wind River above Trout Creek, 

near Cars on •.•......•..•..• 38 

\'l ind River near Carson....... 38 

Washoug al River basin ............ 39 

Washougal River near 

Wa shougal.................. 39 

Lake River basin................. 39 

Salmon Creek near Battle 

Ground..................... 39 

Lewis River basin................ 40 

Lewis River above Muddy River, 

near Coug ar •.....•........• 40 

Lewis River near Cougar ••...• 40 

Lewis River at rie~ •.•.....• 41 

Swift Creek near Cougar ... ~ •• 42 

Canyon Creek near Amboy •••••• 43 

East Fork Lewis River near 

l-Ieisson.................... 43 

Kalama River basin •.......••••.•• 44 

Kalama River below Italian 

Creek, near Kalama •••••.••• 44 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Gaging-station records--Continued 

Stations from which homogeneous 

records were obtained--Continued 

Cowlitz River basin ••.•..•....••• 44 

Cowlitz River at Packwood •••• 44 

Cowlitz River near Mayfield •• 46 

Cowlitz River at Castle Rock. 46 

Clear Fork Cowlitz River near 

Packwood................... 47 

Lake Creek near Packwood ••..• 47 

Johnson Creek near Packwood •• 48 

Cispus River near Randle ••••• 49 

Tilton River near Cinebar •••• 50 

Toutle River near Silver Lake 51 

Elokomin River basin............. 51 

Elolcomin River near Cathlamet 51 

Naselle River basin .•••••••••••.• 52 

Naselle River near Naselle ••• 52 

North River basin................ 52 

North River near Ra ymond ••••• 52 

Chehalis River basin ••••.......•• 53 

Chehalis River near Doty ••••• 53 

Chehalis Rl ver near Grand 

Mound •... ·.•..•••••.•••••••• 53 

Chehalis River at South Elma. 54 

Elk Cre e k near Doty .••.•.•.•• 55 

South Fork Ch ehalis River at 

Boistfort .•••..••••..•.•••• 55 

Sk ookumchuck River near 

Centralia.................. 56 

Black River at Little Rock ••• ~6 

Cloquallum River at Elma .•.•• 57 

Satso~ River near Satsop .••• ~ 57 1

Hynoochee River at Oxbow, near Aberdeen ..•.•.•••••••• 58 

'N ynoochee River below Black 

Creek, near Montesano •••••• 58 

Quinault River basin ••.•.•••.•••• 59 

Quinault River at Qu inault 

Lake....................... 59 

Queets River basin ••....•....••.• 60 

Queets River near Clearwater. 60 

Clearwater River near 

Clearwater .••••...•.••••.•• 61 

Hoh River basin ••....•...•••••..• 62 

Hoh River near Spruce ••••.••• 62 

Quillayute River basin ..........• 62 

Soleduck River near Fairholm. 62 

Elwha River basin ..... ·........... 63 

Elwha River at McDonald 

Bridge near Port Angeles .•• 63 

Dungeness River basin •••....••••• 64 

Dungenes s River near Sequim •• 64 

Dosewallip s River basin •••••...•• 64 

Dosewallip s River near Brinnon.................... 64 

Duckabush River basin •...•..•.•.• 65 

Duckabush River near Brinnon. 65 

Skokomish River basin ••.•••••••.• 65 

North Fork Skokomish River 

below Staircase Rapids, 

near Hoodsport............. 65 

South Fork Skokomish River 

near Union •••. '............. 66 

Mission Creek basin •.••••• ~ ...•.• 67 

Mission Creek near Bremerton. 67 

Mission Creek near Belfair ••• 67 

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Page Gaging-station records--Continued 

Stations from which homogeneous 

records were obtained--Continued 

Tahuya River basin ..•...........• Tahuya River near Bremerton .• Gold Creek near Bremerton .... Panther Creek near Bremerton. 

Deschutes River basin .......••..• Deschutes River near Olympia. 

Nisqually River basin .•.•...•...• Nisqually River near National 

Hisqually River at La Grande. 

Nisqually River near McKenna. 

Mineral Creek near Mineral ..• Little Nisqually River near Alder •.•••••••..••••••.. ; .• Mashel River near La Grande •• Ohop Creek near Eatonville ..• Tanwax Creek near McKenna ••.. Puyallup River basin •••..•..••... Puyallup River near Electron. 

Puyallup River near Orting •• . 

Puyallup River at Alderton •.• Puyallup River at Puyallup ••• Kapowsin Creek near Kapowsin. 

Carbon River near Fairfax •••• White River at Greenwater •••• Vrhite River near Buckley •.••• Greenwater River at 

Greenwater •••••••......•••. Duwa.mish River basin .......... · ••• Green River near Palmer •••••• Green River near Black 

Diamond •••••.••••..•..••..• Green River near Auburn •••••• Lake Washington basin ..••.•••.•.. North Fork C1

edar River near Lester •••••••••.• • •.....•.• Cedar River below Bear Creek, near Cedar Falls ••.••••••.• Cedar River near Cedar Falls. 

Cedar River at Cedar Falls ••• Cedar River near Land~berg ••• South Fork Cedar River near Lester •••• · •••••••••••••• ~ •• Rex River near Ceds.r Fall·s .•• Rock Creek near Maple Valley. 

May Creek near Renton •••....• Issaquah Creek near Issaquah. 

Sammamish River near Redmond. 

Sammamish River at Bothell ••• North Creek near Bothell •.•.• Snohomish River basin ••••••••.••• South Fork Skykomish River near Index ••••••••••••••••• Skykomish River near Gold Bar 

Snohomish River at Snohomish. 

Beckler River near Skykomish. 

North Fork Skykomisb River at 

Index •.•••••• · ••••.•• ~ •••••• Troublesome Creek near Index. 

Olney Creek near 'Gold Bar~ .•• May Creek near Gold Bar~ •.•.. Sultan River near Startup •••• Middle Fork Snoqualmie River near North Bend ••••...••••• Snoqualmie River near Tol t .••• North Fork Snoqualmie River near Snoqualmie Falls •••••• North Fork Snoqualmie River near North Bend .......•..•• South Fork Snoqualmie River 

at North Bend •••••••••••••• 

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CONTENTS . 

Gaging-station records--Continued 

Stations from which homogeneous 

records were obtained--Continued 

Snohomish River Basin--Continued 

Raging River near Fall City •• 100 

Tolt River near Tolt ..••.•••• 100 

Pilchuck River near Granite 

Falls •••••••••••••••••.•••• 101 

Stillaguamish River basin •.•••••• 101 

South Fork Stillaguamish 

River near Granite Falls ••• 101 

South Fork Stillaguamish 

River above Jim Creek, near Arlington ••••..•..•..•..••• 102 

Jim Creek near Arlington •.••• 103 

North Fork Stillaguamish 

River near Arlington .•••••• 103 

Skagit River basin •••••••••.••.•• 104 · Skagit River near Newhalem •.• 104 .S1cagit River at Newhalem ••••. 105 

Skagit River near Concrete ••• 106 

Beaver Creek near Newhalem ••• 106 

Ruby Creek near Newhalem ••••• 107 

Thunder Creek near Newhalem .• 107 

Stetattle Creek near Newhalem 109 

Bacon Creek near Marblemount. 109 

Cascade River at Marblemount. 109 

Saul<: River above Hhitechuck 

River, near Darrington ..••• lll 

Sauk River at Darrington ••••• lll 

Sauk River near Sauk .•••••••• 112 

Suiattle River near Mansford. 112 

Baker River below Anderson 

Creek near Concrete •••••.•• 113 ~lder Creek near Hamilton ..•• 113 

Samish River basin ••••••..••••••• 114 

Samish River near Burlington. 114 

Friday Creek near Burlington. 114 

Nooksack River basin •..•.•.•..••• 114 

Nooksack River above Cascade 

Creek, near Glacier .•.••••• 114 

Nookss.-Jk River at Deming ....• 116 

South Fork Nooksack River near Wickersham •••.••..•••• 116 

Stations from '.'l!lich nonhomegenous 

recordg were obtained •.••.•.••.•.•• 117 

Wind River basin ................. 117 

Panther Creek near Carson •••• 117 

Cowlitz River basin ••••••.•.•••.• 117 

South Fork Toutle River at . Toutle • • • • • • . • • . • • • . . . . • • • • ll 7 

Chehalis River basin .•••...•••••• 118 

Rock Creek at Cedarville ••.•• 118 

Humptulips River basin ••••••••••• 118 ·Humptulips River near Humptulips •••••••••••••• ~ • • 118 

Skokomish River basin ••••••••• ~ •• 119 

Skokomish River near Potlatch 119 

Tahuya River basin •••••••••••••.• 119 

Tahuya River near Belfair •••• 119 

Chambers Creek basin ••••.•••••.•• 120 

Chambers Creek below Leach 

Creek, near Steilacoom ••••• 120 

Lake Washington basin .••••..••... 120 

Bear Creek at Redmond ....••.• 120 

Snohomish River basin ••.•......•. 121 

Wallace River at Gold Ba~ ••.• 121 

Stillaguamish River basin •....... 121 

Deer Creek at Oso •••••••••••• 121 

Skagit River basin ••••.•• ~,.; •.•• 122 

Day Creek near Lyman •.•.....• 122 

Miscellaneous flood peaks .•••••.•••••••••• 123 

Selected bibliography •....... , .. ~········ 124 
CONTENTS 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

Figure 1. Map showing western Washingt nn ..................•••••••••••••••••••••••.•........ 2. Graph of mean daily discharge for Sauk River ab nve Whitechuck River near Darrington and for Newaukum River near Chehalis, 1950 ......................... . 3. Location of gaging stations in weBtern WSshington .......•........ ·~··· .. ~ ....... . 4. Bar diagram showing record of maximum annual peaks at gaging stations ............ . 5. Homogeneity test graph ......•............•....................................... 6. Composite frequency curve .•.............................. -....................... . 7. Areas to which geographical factors apply in western Washington ................. . 8'. Nomograph for computing mean annual flood for drainage areas ot 50 to 50 sq mi ... . 9. Nomograph for computing mean annual flood for drainage areas of 50 to 500 sq mi .. . 10. Enveloping curve of maximum discharges in western Washington .................... . 11. Frequency of annual floods, White Salmon River near Underwood .................... . 12. Frequency of annual floods, Lewis River near Cougar .............................. . 13. Frequency of annual floods, Cowlitz River at Packwood ............................ . 14. Frequency of annual floods, Lake Creek near Packwood ............................ ~· 

15. Frequency of annual floods, Cispus River near Randle ............................. . 16. Frequency of annual floods, Chehalis River near Grand Mound ...................... . 17. Frequency of annual floods, Quinault River at Quinault Lake ...................... . 18. Frequency of annual floods, South Fork Skoknmish River near Union ................ . 19. Frequency of annual floods, Nisqually River at La Grande ......................... . 20. Frequency of annual floods, Puyallup River at Puyallup ........................... . 21. Frequency of annual floods, Kapowsin Creek near Kapowsin ......................... . 22. Frequency of an~ual floods, Carbon River near Fairf ax .... . .......... ; ............ . 23. Frequency of annual floods, Green River near Palmer .............................. . 24. Frequency of annual floods, Green River near Auburn .............................. . 

25. Frequency of annual floods Sultan River near Startup .. ...... r •••• ··~ •••••••• •••••• 

26. Frequency of annual floods Snoqualmie River near Tolt ........................... . 27. Frequency of annual floods, South Fork Snoqualmie River at North Bend ............ . 28. Frequency of annual floods South Fork Stillaguamish River near Granite Falls .... . 29. Frequency of annual floods, Thunder Creek near Newhalem .......................... . 30. Frequency of annual flo nds Cascade River at Marblemount ........................ . 31. Frequency of ann,ual floods, Nooksack River aqove Cascade Creek near Glacier ...... . 

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FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

FREQUENCY AND MAGNITUDE IN RELATION TO DRAINAGE BASIN CHARACTERISTICS 

ABSTRACT 

This report presents a method of determining the magnitude and frequency of expected floods 

applicable for any area in western Washington (fig. 1). A composite frequency curve was developed that expresses the relation to mean annual floods of floods having recurrence intervals from 

1.03 to 50 yr. This composite frequency curve was based on the combined frequency curves for all 

gaging stations in the region with 5 or more years of record. Records for 131 stations, with 

drainage areas ranging from l to 2,700 sq mL, and recorded flood peaks ranging from 30 to 210,000 

cfs were combined to obtain the composite curve. An equation was derived expressing the relationship between mean annual floods and basin characteristics. Those basin characteristics that 

may easily be determined from topographic maps and that significantly affect the peak discharge 

were compiled for all streams in the region on which 5 or more years of stream-flow re~ords are 

available. These basin characteristics were correlated with mean annual flood of the streams, 

and as a result of this correlation a formula for the computation of the mean annual flood for 

any basin was derived. The limitations of the formula and its probable accuracy are discussed 

in the report. 

Included in the report are curves of magn~tude and frequency of floods at all gaging 

stations in the region with 15 or more years of record. Also included is an ~nveloping curve of 

the maximum recorded discharges in the region. 

l 
2 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

Figure 1.--Map showin g western W ashington 
PURPOSE AND SCOPE 

INTRODUCTION 

Purpose and scope 

The objective of this report is to relate physical characteristics of a drainage basin to 

the frequency and magnitude of past floods and to develop methods of applying these data to . any 

basin in an area for the determination of the flood expectancy. 

The determination of the magnitude and frequency of future floods always has been a ~ajor 

problem of the engineering profession and has been the subject of intensive study. Interest in 

3 

floods is being renewed constantly because so many valuable structures are on or near streams and 

therefore subject to flood damage. 1JVhere loss of life may be involved if the structure is overtopped or destroyed, the design flood perhaps should be of such magnitude that it probably will 

no.t be exceeded. However, in most places it will prove more economical to design the structure 

for a flood that may be expected to occur on the average of once in 10, 20, 50, or some other 

period of years, and to balance the expected damage against the additional cost of the structure 

if designed to prevent such damage. It should be noted that the recurre~ce interval of a flood 

does not imply any regularity of such occurrence. It represents the average period in which a 

flood of such magnitude would recur over a long period of years. Two 50-yr floods could occur 

in consecutive years. 

Using the available strea~-flow data, the technique was first developed of determining the 

magnitude and frequency of expected floods at the point of collection of the data, that is., at 

the gaging stations. This technique is very seldom applied directly, because, in the first place, 

structures subject to flood da~age are seldom located at gaging stations. The continuing program 

of stream gaging could not possibly be sufficiently comprehensive to include records at all possible points where information on the magnitude and frequency of floods might be desired, .or to 

have the record at each point of sufficient length so that the magnitude and frequency at the 

point could be based ·on those records alone. This is especially true of drainage areas of less 

than 50· sq mi for which records now available are most inadequate for such a procedure. Great 

care also must be exercised in the use of any single record because of the many variable factors 

such as drought and excessive precipitation, which may cause the records to be unrepresentative 

of the average. Therefore, it is important to develop a method by which tl1e records of flood 

frequency at the gaging stations can be "consolidated" and made applicable to any point. 

Many formulas have been developed as a means of determining the magnitude of expected floods 

in ungaged areas. Such formulas in the past have been largely empirical and have been applied 

over an area and a range that greatly exceed those of the~r derivation. 

The flood formulas of Kinnison and Colby (1945)1 are perhaps the first to correlate the 

physical characteristics of a basin to the magnitude and frequency of past floods and to present 

these data in such a manner that they are applicable for any basin within the area of derivation. 

The authors have carefully limited the area of application of their formulas to the area for 

which the formulas were derived (drainage basins in and adjacent to the State of Massachusetts) 

1 See page 124 for list of references cited. 
4 FLOODS IN vVESTERN WASHINGTON 

and also have .limited the range .of application to the range of physical characteristics used in 

their derivation. Their time base, however, was very much extended. 

Many of the principles se~ forth by, other authors . were considered in this report of floods 

in western Washington •. Every effort has been made to use lal.own basin characteristics and to 

determine their effect on flood peaks. All stream-flow records in the region have been carefully 

reviewed and used in the study • . The results of this report have been consolidated and presented 

in such a manner that the pr~)Cedure can be readily followed, and it is · believed that reliable 

results can be·obtained without an undue amount of detailed effort. 

This report was derived Tram stream-flow and drainage-basin data for all that part of the 

State of ·aashlngton lying .west of the divide of the Cascade Range and, in addition, the i;'Jhite 

Sa)mon River and Klickitat River basins, which are technically east of the Cascade Range but are 

more homogeneous with western '{/ashington. A total area of about 26,000 sq mi is included. 

Acknowledgments 

This report has been prepared under the direction of F. M. Veatch, district engineer, Tacoma 

district; Surface Water .Branch, -,"later Resources Division, U. s. Geolo t:;ical Survey. Financial 

cooperation was furnished by the Vlashington State Highway Department, W, A. Bugge, director_, 

George Stevens, bridge engineer. The procedures used were outlined by the office of the 

Geological Survey at Washington, D. C. Technical guidance on analytical procedure was furnished 

by Tate Dalrymple, hydraulic engineer, U. S. Geolo gical Survey, ·:lashing ton, D. C. Acknowledgment 

. is made for the helpful advice and criticis!I!l of C. C. McDonald, staff eng:ineer, Technical 

Coordination Branch, U. S. Geological Survey, Tacoma, Washington. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE AREA 

Gaging-station records show the integrated result of the effect of all physical features of 

a drainage basin on the magnitude of a flood. The two broad classifications of physical features 

influencing floods are topography and climate. 

1££ographical features 

Mountain ranges are the dominating topographical features of the region and; through their 

influence on the climatic elements, profoundly affect the runoff of the area. 

The Cascade Range, extending north and .south across the St~te, is a formidable barrier to 

the prevailing westerly winds and forms a natural line of division across the State. Its altitude ranges from 6,000 to 8,000 ft. Many extinct volcanoes protrude from the western slope into 

the zone of perpetual snow, the highest of which is Mt. Rainier (altitude 14,408 ft). 

Two other smaller ranges complicate the topography of the region. The Ol-ympic Mountains, 

extending from the Chehalis River north up the Olympic Peninsula to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, 

is comparable to the Cascade Range in its higher peaks. The other range is the Willapa Hills, 
PHYSIC..AL FEATURES OF THE AREA 

which lies in the southwestern part of the State just northeast of the mouth of the Columbia . 

River. The max:imum altitudes of this range are much lower than those of the Cascade Range or of 

the Olympic Mountains. The higher peaks have an altitude of about 2,000 ft. 

Puget Sound and the adjacent lowland lying between the Olympic Mountains and Cascade Range 

separate these two ranges with a trough about 50 miles wide that is at or near sea level. The 

Chehalis River basin and lower Cowlitz River basin form a comparable low-elevation area between 

the Willapa Hills and the Cascade Range. 

5 

The rivers in the region have, in general, relatively steep slopes and flow from the mountain 

ranges directly into the Pacific Ocean or Pu.get Sound. The principle exceptions to this are the 

Chehalis and Cowlitz Rivers in the south and the Skagit River in the north, which have comparatively large flood plains in their lower reaches. This characteristic of short length and steep 

gradient of the streams results in comparatively short t:ime of concentration of the flood waters. 

\'!estern Washington is subject to the moderating effects of prevailing winds from the Pacific 

Ocean. The Cascades on the east and the mountains of British Columbia on the north act as 

barriers that protect the region from the climatic extremes characteristice of the interior. 

The principle source of precipitation in the region is the water vapor from the Pacific 

Ocean carried inland by prevailing southwesterly and westerly w:inds. Moisture-laden air enters 

the interior either through gaps occupied by the Col~bia and Chehalis Rivers and the Strait of 

Juan de Fuca or over the Olympic Mountains and Willapa Hills. As this air is forced upwards over 

the mountains, it is cooled by adiabatic expansion (without loss or gain of heat) and produces 

precipitation in an irregular belt along the Pacific Coast. After passing over the mountains to 

the lower levels of Puget Sound or the basins of the Chehalis and Cowlitz Rivers, these -air 

masses are warmed by compression and higher land temperatures at those levels. Hence the tendency 

is for them to yield only a relatively small amount of precipitation at these lower altitudes. 

The process of expanding and cool:ing is repeated as the air mass ascends to cross the Cascade 

Range. 

The combined effect of topography and prevailing winds results in a wide variation of precipitation. For example, the upper ':7ynoochee River basin with a mean annual runoff of 160 in. 

(actual precipitation not lmown) is believed to be the wettest drainage basin in continental 

United States, while 50 miles northeast of the Wynoochee River basin, across the Olympic Mountains at Sequim, the m~an annual precipitaticnis less than 20 in. 

The heavy winter precipitation in the mountainous areas occurs as rain at the lower altitudes and as snow in the higher ones. Snow packs as deep as 22! ft with an equivalent water 

content of ll! ft have been measured in the Cascade Range. The deep snow pack and heavy winter 

precipitation have a decided effect on flood-runoff characteristics. 

The generally mild and humid climate has a substantial effect on the types and rate of 

growth of vegetation. The forest cover is very heavy, especially on the western slopes. The 
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Figure 2.--Graph of mean daily discharge for Sauk River above Whi~chuck River near Darrington and for Newaukum River near Chehalis, 1950. 

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CHARACTERISTICS OF FLOOD RUNOFF 

generally dense vegetal cover undoubtedly affects the .flood characteristics of the region. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF FLOOD RUNOFF 

Streams rising in the mountainous areM are characterized by two high-water periods each 

year: the first p~riod, October through March, is referred to as the winter high-water period; 

and the second, April through June, is referred to as the spring high-water period. An example 

of such a stream is Sauk River above VJhitechuck River near Darrington, Wash. (fig. 2). 

7 

Winter peaks occur du:r;ing the period when precipitation is heavy. They are usually caused 

by warm ·southwest storms with rainfall making up the bulk of the flood water--sometL~es augmented 

by snow melt, especially if the snow mantle extends to a low elevation at the beginning of the 

storm. These floods are characterized by peaks of relatively high magnitude and short duration. 

Almost without exception, the destructive floods in this region are floods of this type • 

. Spring peaks occur when the warmer temperatures begin melting the accumulated snow pack of 

the higher altitudes. Flood waters are largely snow melt, sometimes augmented by spring rains. 

The hydrographs of this period are characterized by rounded peaks . of long duration. 

Streams rising at lower altitudes have only one high-water period, October through March. 

The peaks of these streams are similar in cause and characteristics to the winter peaks described 

previously. Little or no winter accumulation of snow is present in the spring to cause an appreciable spring high-water period. However, some temporary storage in the form of snow sometimes 

adds to the magnitude of the winter peaks. The 1950 hydrograph for Newaukum River near Chehalis, 

Wash., (fig. 2) illustrates a stream of this type. 

METHODS OF ANALYSIS 

The method of computing flood frequency presented in this report reflects the latest developments based on a continuing study by engineers of the Water Resources Division of the Geological 

Survey and others. These analyses serve two purposes: first, the computation of flood frequency 

at gaging stations; and second, the transferring of these point data to other places or adapting 

them to apply over the region. 

Frequency at gaging statio~ 

Many techniques have been developed for the determination of the frequency of expected floods 

at gaging stations from the past experience1 of recorded floods at the stations. These techniques 

have been discussed in length by Jarvis (1936), Gross (1946), Rantz and Riggs (1949), and others. 

No further discussion in this report is believed necessary except to indicate the method of 

analysis used in this study~ 

Method of analys.is . .--The flood data in this report are analyzed by the annual-flood method 

in preference to the partial-duration series method. In the annual-flood series the recurrence 

interval is the average interval in which a flood of a given size, or greater, will recur as an 
8 FLOODS IN ·:mSTERN WASHINGTON 

annual maximum. In the partial-duration. series, the recurrence interval is the average interval 

between floods of a given size, regardless of their relationship to the year or any other period 

of time. One similarity between the two, however, is the fact that for large floods the recurrence intervals are practically the same on both scales. The two methods give essentially the 

same results for intervals greater than 10 yr. As most designs are for intervals greater than 

10 yr, it was concluded that either method is satisfactory. The annual-flood method has been 

used in this report because of its relative simplicity. 

Basic_da~~.--All stream-flow records in the region with 5 or more years of length have been 

used as the basic data for this report. The locations of the gaging stations used are shownin 

figure 3. A bar diagram (fig. 4) shows in a concise pictor'ial :::nanner the length of record of the 

stations used. Records of all peak discharges were carefully reviewed for possible need of 

revision resulting from later' information and improved technlques that became available before 

the data was tabulated. 

A common period, 1912 to 1951, was used for all stations in order to place the records on a 

comparable basis as to time. Recurrence intervals were assigned to individual floods on basis of 

this period. Index stations, for which records extend through the base periods, were used as a 

basis for computing the order of magnitude of peaks for stations with shorter records, 

Overlapping records for comparable gaging stations on the same stream were combined to form 

one record of greater length, \~en two stations on the same stream had less than 25 percent difference in drainage area they usually were combined, because they were not considered to be independent samples. 

Tabulations of all annual peaks used in this study along with frequency curves adjusted to 

the base period for all stat;i.ons with 15 or more years of record are listed under gaging-station 

records. These are the supporting 'data on which the analyses are based. 

Regional distribution 

A frequency graph based on the combined flood experience at several stations has much firmer 

support than one developed for a single station. A composite flood-frequency curve was drawn 

combining the flood-frequency data for all of the stations in the region. The floods used in 

developing this curve are expressed in terms of ratio of each individual flood to the mean annual 

flood, placing the curve on a dimensionless basis and at:Jplicable anywhere in the region, both for 

ungaged a·reas and as an aid in interpreting flood data for streams with a short period of record. 

Regional sampling.--There are two aspects of sampling for an analysis of flood frequency in 

a region, time sampling and areal sampling. Ttme sampling requires a record of the floods at a 

few stations over a long period of time. Areal sampling requires a large number of stations to 

sample widely diverse terrain, and the length of record is not so important. To comb:ine the 

records of all the stations, it was necessary to place all the floods on a comparable basis both 

as to time and as to the physical characteristics of the basins. It has been explained previously 

how all records were placed on a comparable time basis. There remains a need for expressing the 
METHODS OF ANALYSIS 9 

10 40 Mile·s 

Figure 3.--Location of gaging stations in western Washington. 
10 FLOODS IlT 'vvESTERN WASHINGTON 

Period of record of mcv-:fm,m annual peaks 

Ref. 

no. Gaging station 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 r-1 (\J tl) -.;;ti l!) 

(]) (]) (]) (]) ()) ()) 

r-1 r-1 r-1 r-1 r-1 r-1 

KLICKITAT RIVER BASIN 

1 Klickitat River above West Fork near Glenwood -· 2 Klickitat River near Glenwood 

3 Klickitat River near Pitt cb 

WHITE SALMON RIVER BASll'T 

4 White Salmon River at Husum 'XX~ 

5 Vfui te ·salmon River near Underwood 

LITTLE WHITE SALMON RIVER BASIN 

6 Little White Salmon River at Willard 

wnm RIVER BASIN -· 

7 Wind River above Trout Creek near Carson ~g 

8 Wind River near Carson 

WASHOUGAL RIVER BASIN 

9 Washougal River near Washougal ~b 

LAKE RIVER BAS llJ 

10 Salmon Creek near Battle Ground ~b 

LEWIS RIVER BASIN 

ll Lewis River above Muddy Riv r near Cougar 

12 Lewis River near Cougar • -- 13 Lewis River at Ariel V//// 

14 Swift Creek near Couga 

15 Canyon Creek near Ambo 

16 East Fork Lewis River near Heisson 

KALAMA RIVER BASllJ 

17 Kalama River below Italian Creek near Kalama 1/7 77777 !;7'Q'OPl 

CO'NLITZ RIVER BASIN * 

18 Cowlitz River at Packwood linll!N'VQ 

19 Cowlitz River near Mayfield 1771 177:~ 

20 Cowlitz River at Castle Rock 

21 Clear Fork Cowlitz River near Packwood li75 ~ 

22 Lake Creek near Packwood IXN'VX XXI •• 23 Johnson Creek near Packwood 

24 Cispus River near Randle --

~ 

·-- -

= 25 Til ton River near Cinebar 

26 Toutle River near Silver T.o:JkA 1\~ •• 

ELOKOMIN RIVER BASIN 

27 Elokomin River near Cathlamet 

NASELLE RIVER BASIN 

28 Naselle River near Naselle 

IZZZZ/4 Equivalent record on s ame stream !

!!!!!! Recording gage Legend W5(5(':Y5a Staff gage (;;;;;;;:;;;'''' Station dis continued, peak from high wa ter mark 

Figure 4.--Period of record of maximum annual peaks at gaging stations. 
AVAILABLE FLOOD RECORDS 11 

!Period of record of maximum annual peaks 

Ref. 

no. Gaging station 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 rl Cll t') "<<i lD ()) ()) ()) ()) ()) ()) 

rl rl rl rl rl rl 

NORTH RIVER BASIN 

29 North River near Ra-ymond 

CHEHALIS RIVER BASIN 

30 Chehalis River near Doty. 

31 Chehalis River near Grand Mound 

32 Chehalis River at South Elma -· 33 Elk Creek near Doty 

34 South Fork Chehalis River at Boistfort - · 

35 Skookumchuck River near Centralia •• - 36 Black River at Little Rock 

37 Cloquallum River at Elma -· -

38 

39 Wynoochee 

Satsop River 

River near at 

Satsop 

Oxbow near Aberdeen -· 

40 Wynoochee River below Black Creek near Montesano ~~· 

QUINAULT RIVER BASIN 

41 Quinault River at Quinault Lake 

-.. Qu~ETS RIVER BASIN 

42 Queets River near Clearwater 

43 Clearwater River near Clearwater r. -

...... m 

HOH RIVER BASIN 

44 Hoh River near Spruce 

QUIL_LA Y1JTE RIVER BAS'rN 

45 Soleduck River near Fairholm 

-• 

ELWHA RIVER BASIN 

46 Elwha River at McDonald Bridge near Port 

Angeles ~ ~ 

DUNGENESS RIVER BASIN ·I 

47 Dungeness River near Sequim I ~ 

DOSEV'.JALLIPS RIVER BASIN 

48 Dosewallips River near Brinnon 

DUCKABUSH RIVER BASIN 

49 Duckabush River near Brinnon I • ---· SKOKOMISII RIVER BASIN 

I 

. 50 North Fork Skokomish River below 

Staircase Rapids near Hoodsport 

51 South Fork Skokomish River near Union I ~ 

L d Recording gage 

egen k&6&9&! Staff gage IZZZZZ?i/1 Equivalent record on same stream 

'"';;;;,;;'T'' Station discontinued, peak from high water mark 

Figure 4.--Period of record of maximj annual peaks at gaging stations--Continued 
12 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

Period of record of maximum annual peaks Ref. . 

no. Gaging station 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 r-1 t\l t0 ~ 1.{) 

(1) (1) ,(1) (1) (1) (1) 

r-1 r-1 r-1 r-1 r-1 r-1 

MISSION CREEK BASIN 

52 Mission Creek near Bremerton 

53 -· Mission Creek near Belfair 

TAHUYA RIVER BASIN 

--

54 Tahuya River near Bremerton 

56 

55 Gold 

Panther 

Creek 

Creek near near Bremerton Bremerton -· --· 

DESCHUTES RIVER BASIN 

57 Deschutes River near Olympia ....ill 

NISQ,UALL Y RIVER BASIN 

.58 Nisqually River near National 

59 

60 

Nisqually 

Nisqually 

River 

River near 

at LaGrande 

McKenna 

Ali ..... -· 

61 Mineral Creek near Mineral 

62 

63 Mashel 

Little Nisqually 

River near River LaGrande near Alder -· 

64 Ohop Creek near Eatonville 

65 Tanwax Creek near 

PUYALLUP 

McKenna 

RIVER BASIN 

-· - 66 Puyallup River near .Electron • 

68 

67 :Puyallup 

Puyallup River 

River near 

at AlCJ.erton 

Orting --- 69 Puyallup River at Puyallup -i 

70 Kapowsin Creek near Kapowsin -

.. 71 Carbon River near Fairfax ~ 

72 White River -at Greenwater 

73 White River near Buckley J7j l7l P.l • ... 74 Greenwater Riv.er at. Greenwater &I 

DUWAMISH RIVER BASIN 

75 Green River near Palmer • '16 Green River. near Black Diamond 

77 Green River near Auburn 

LAKE WASHTiifGTON BASDJ 

78 North Fork Cedar River near Lester -· 79 Cedar River below Bear Creek near Cedar Falls 

80 Cedar River near Cedar Falls -· 81 

82 

Cedar 

Cedar 

River 

Rive.r near 

at Cedar 

Landsberg 

Falls . 05Z5t 

-· 

83 South Fork Cedar River near Lester 

84 Rex River near Cedar Falls -·i ·-· 85 Rock Ct'eek near Maple Valley -· 86 May Creek near Renton ·-

87 Issaquah Creek near Issaquah - 89 

88 Sammamish 

Sammamish River 

River near 

at Bothell 

Redmond -· 

90 North Creek near Bothell 

---· 

•••IRecording gage IZZZZZZlEquivalent record on same stream 

Legend ~Staff gage != ·,i=:=l:::::::==l Station discontinued, peak from high water mark 

Figure 4. --Period of record of maximum annual peaks at gaging stations--Continued 
AVAI.L.Al3LE ELOQD REQO.RDS 

Period of record of maximum annual peaks 

Ref. 

no. Gaging statii:m 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 r-1 Cl t:l) ~ LO (J) (J) (J) (J) (J) (J) 

r-1 r-1 r-1 r-1 r-1 r-1 

SNOHOMXSH RIVER BASIN 

91 South· Fork Skykomish River near Index ~ a 

92 Skykomish River near Gold Bar 

93 Snohomish River at Snohomish 

94 Beckler River near Skykomish --· 95 North Fork Skykomish River at Index m·~ ba ·- -

CQ 

96 Troublesome Creek near Index 

9'7 Olney Creek near Gold Bar l77l " m 

98 May Creek near Gold Bar • - - • 99 Sultan River near Startup r:;~ 

100 Middle Fork Snoqualmie River near North Bend Ia 105!1 ~-· 101 Snoqualmie River near Tolt 

102 North Fork Snoqualmie River near Snoqualmie 

Falls 

103 North Fork Snoqualmie River near North Bend bli1 

104 South Fork Snoqualmie River at North Bend m 

105 Raging River near Fall City -b

106 Tolt River near Tolt •• 107 Pilchuck River near Granite Falls 

· STILLAGUAMISH RIVER BASIN 

108 South Fork Stillaguamish River ·near Gran~te Falls 1{1§1 • 109 South Fork Stillaguamish River above Jim cr.eek near Arlington 

110 Jim Creek near Arlington 

lll North Fork Stillaguamish River near Arlington 

SKAGIT RIVER BASIN 

112 Skagit River near Newhalem 

113 Skagit River at Newhalem 

114 Skagit River near Concrete • • 115 Beaver Creek near Newhalem 

116 Ruby Creek _near Newhalem 

11'7 Thunder Creek near Newhalem 1;1 7777 

118 Stetattle Creek near Newhalem 

119 Bacon Creek near Marblemount ~ 

120 Cascade River at Marblemount 

121 Sauk River above Whitechuck River near Darr>ington 122 Sauk River at Darrington -· 123 Sauk R1ver near Sauk 

124 Suiattle River near Mansford 

125 Baker River below Anderson Creek near Concrete •• 126 Alder Creek near Hamilton 

SAMISH RIVER BASIN -· 

127 Samish River near Burlington -· 128 Friday Creek near Burlington 

NOOKSACK RIVER BASIN - 129 Nooksack River above Cascade Creek near Glacier 

130 Nooksack River at D~ming 

131 South Fork Nooksack River near Wickersham 

!!!!!!!Recording gage rzzzzzza Equivalent record on same stream 

Legend !)OQOOOO!I Staff gag-e !,::;:::::::::::1 Station discontinued, peak from high water mark 

Figure 4.--Period of record of maximum annual peaks at gaging stations--Continued 
14 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

effect of the physical characteristics of the basins~ thus placing all floods on a comparable 

basis. 

Selecting a comparable mean.--Experience has indicated that the mean of the annual peak discharges is representative of the flood characteristics of a drainage basin and therefore an index 

of the ·physical features of the basin that affect flood flow. The graphical mean annual flood, 

Q2.33--flood with recurrence interval of 2.33 yr--taken from the adjusted station flood-frequency 

curves is easily obtained and shoul_d furnish a good comparable mean since the base period of all 

curves are the same. 

All floods are placed on a dimensionless basis by dividing the recorded floods by the mean 

annual flood for that stream and thereby are comparable with other floods in the region. This 

ratio, called the flood ratio, was computed for all floods listed in the basic data. 

Test for homogeneity.--A test for homogeneity of records for a group of stations is desirab~ 

before the records for the group are combined• The test involves a determination as to whether 

the differences in slope of the individual frecauency curves are no greater than might be expected 

from random errors or vagaries of sampling. Data for the homogeneity test are listed in the 

following table. 

' . . . . ' 

Data for homogeneity test for gaging stations in western W~shington 

R.I. Effec..r 

Q2.33 

for tive 

Drablage Q2.33 Q,lO Q2.33 length _No. Gaging sta:tion area Qlo X X of 

( sq mi) {cfs) (cfs) Q2.33 ratio ratio record 

(cfs) (yr) (yr) 

KLICKITAT RIVER BASIN ' 

1 Klickitat River above vVest Fork near Glenwood loi ·1,8oo 3,07-o 1.70 2,990 9 24 

2 Klickitat River near Glenwood .36'0 3,050 _4 ,550 1.49 5,060 17 36 

3 Klickitat River near Pitt 1,170_ 8,330 14,500 1.74 13,800 9 32 

WHITE SALMON RIVER BASIN 

4 White Salmon River at Husum 300 3,500 6,110 1.75 5,810 9 30 

5 1Nhite Salmon River near Underwood 384 4,660 7,340 1.57 7,740 13 36 

LITTLE WHITE SALMON RIVER BASIN 

6 Little White Salmon River at Willard 117 2,380 3,460 1.45 3,950 21 24 

WIND RIVER BASIN 

7 Wind River above Trout Creek near Car sen 108 3,900 7,800 2.00 6,480 6 24 

8 Wind River near Carson 225 10,900 16,400 1.50 18,1()0 16 28 

WASHOUGAL RIVER BASIN 

9 Washougal River near Washougal 108 13;700 24,400 1.78 22,700 8 24 

LAKE RIVER BASIN 

10 Salmon Creek near Battle Ground 18.3 792 -1,250 1.58 1,310 12 24 

LEWIS RIVER BASIN 

11 Lewis River above Muddy River near Cougar 227 11,800 19,900 1.69 19,600 10 24 

12 Lewis River near Cougar 481 20,100 32,900 1.64 33,400 11 24 

13 Lewis River at Ariel 731 39,200 61,500 1.57 65,100 13 40 

14 Swift Creek near Cougar 26 1,520 2,500 1.64 2,520 10 24 

15 Canyon Creek near Amboy 62 5,800 8,850 1.53 9,630 15 26 

16 East l?ork Lewi.s .River near Heisson 125 9,100 12~200 ' 1.34 l5zlOO, 44 31 
DATA FOR HOMOGENEITY TEST 15 

Data for homogeneity test for gaging stations ih western Washington--Continued 

R.I. EffecQfor tive 

Drainage QlO QlO 

Q2.33 2.33 length 

No. Gaging station area ~2.33 X X of 

( sq mi) (cfs) (cfs) Q2.33 ratio ratio record 

(cfs) (yr) (yr) 

KALAMA RIVER BASIN 

17 Kalama River below Italian Creek near 

Kalama 201 10,000 14,900 1.49 16,600 18 30 

COVrLITZ RIVER BASIN I 

18 Cowlitz River at Packwood 287 14,300 22,200 1.55 23,700 14 34 

19 Cowlitz River near Mayfield 1,400 30,500 44,300 1.45 50,600 21 34 

20 Cowlitz River at Castle Rock 2,240 50,500 71,000 1.41 83,800 27 32 

21 Clear Fork Cowlitz River near Packwood 56 2,420 4,150 1.71 4,020 9 26 

22 Lake Creek near Packwood 18.8 460 760 1.65 764 10 34 

23 Johnson Creek near Packwood 50 1,800 4,080 2.27 2,990 5 24 

24 Cispus River near Randle 323 7,000 11,400 1.63 11,600 ll 31 

25 Tilton River near Cinebar 158 7,850 10,600 1.35 13,000 39 24 

26 Toutle River near Silver Lake 474 15,700 22,000 1.40 26,100 30 32 

ELOKOMIN RIVER BASIN 

27 Elokomin River near Cathlamet 66 3,740 5,580 1.49 6,210 17 26 

NASELLE RIVER BAS IN 

28 Naselle River near Naselle 55 5,220 7,340 1.41 8,660 27 31 

NORTH RIVER BASIN 

29 North River near Raymond 219 8,~00 13,700 1.56 13,900 11 32 

CHEHALIS RIVER BASIN 

30 Chehalis River near Doty 113 9-,150 16,100 1.76 15,200 8 26 

31 Chehalis River near Grand Mound 89"7 24,500 37,800 1.54 40,700 14 32 

32 Chehalis River at South Elma 1,420 28,600 41,500 1.45 47,500 21 22 

33 Elk Creek near Doty 46.7 1,500 2,620 1.75 2,490 8 23 

34 South Fork Chehalis River at Boistfort 49.2 2,400 4,710 1.96 3;980 6 23 

35 Skookumchuck River near Centralia 60 3,670 5,850 1.59 6,090 12 26 

36 Black River at Little Rock 64 895 1,370 1.53 1,490 15 23 

3"7 Cloquallum River at Elma .86 2,600 3,710 1.43 4,320 24 24 

38 Satsop River near Satsop :ns 21,400 32,700 1.53 35,500 15 3l 

39 Wynoochee River at Oxbow . near Aberdeen 65 10,900 15,100 1.39 18,100 31 33 

40 Wynoochee River below Black Creek near 

Montesano 179 15,200 21,000 1.38 25,200 32 24 

QUINAULT RIVER BASIN 

41 Quinault River at Quinault Lake 264 21,600 33,_600 1.56 35,800 13 38 

QUEETS RivER BASIN 

42 Queets River near C1earwater 454 54,700 78,600 1.44 90,800 22 30 

43 Clearwater River near Clearwater 140 16,300 24,700 1.52 27,000 15 Z6 

HOH RIVER BASIN 

44 Hoh River near Spruce 193 19,100 29,900 1.57 31,700 13 32 

QUILLAYUTE RIVER BASIN 

45 Soleduck River near }·airholm 84 8,650 13,600 1.57 14,400 12 34 

ELWHA RIVER BASIN 

46 Elwha River at McDonald Bridge near Port Angeles 262 12,400 21,700 1.'75 20,600 e 36 

DUNGENESS RIVER BASIN 

47 Dungeness River near Sequim 156 2,880 5,320 1.85 4,780 7 30 
16 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHING~ON 

Data for homogeneity test for gaging' stations in western Washington--Continued 

R.I. E!!'fec..;. 

~.33 . for tive 

Drainage Q2.33 QlO Qlo Q.2 .. 33 length ·No. Gaging station area X X of 

(sq mi) (cfs) (cfs) Q2.33 ratio ratio record 

(cfs) (yr) (yr) 

DOSEWALLIPS RIVER BASIN 

48 Dosewallips River near Brinnon 94 4,100 7 ,.400 . 1.80 6,810 8 36 

DUCKABUSH RIVER BASIN 

49 Duckahush River near Brinnon 66 4,870 6,890 1.42 8,080 26 26 

SKOKOMISH RIVER BASIN 

50 North Fork Skokomish River below 

Staircase Rapids near Hoodsport 60 7,000 12,400 1.77 11,600 8 34 

51 South Fork Skokomish River near Union 81 10,600 18,000 1.70 17,600 9 34 

MISSION CREEK BASIN 

52 Mission Creek near Bremerton 1.9 51 80 1.57 85 14 23 

53 Mission Creek near Belfair 4.4 145 251 1.73 241 9 23 

TAHUYA RIVER BASIN 

54 Tahuya River near Bremerton 6.1 285 422 1.48 473 18 23 

55 Gold Creek near Bremerton ,1.5 105 146 1.39 174 30 23 

56 Panther Creek near Bremerton 1.0 65 134 2.06 108 6 23 

DESCHUTES RIVER BASIN 

57 Deschutes River near Ol-ympia 164 3,18~ 5,270 1.66 5,280 10 22 

NISQUALLY RIVER BASIN 

58 Nisqually River near National 1~3 6,080 10,700 1.76 10,100 8 24 

59 Nisqually River at LaGrande 290 11,300 18,000 1.59 18,800 12 34 

60 Nisqually River hear McKenna 445 15,200 26,200 1.72 25,200 9 25 

61 Mineral Creek near Mineral 75 4,440 7,200 1.62 7,370 11 24 

62 Little Nisqually River near Alder 27.2 1,780 2,460 1.38 2,960 33 32 '63 Mashel River near LaGrande 79 3,200 5,400 1.69 5,310 9 26 

64 Ohop Creek near Eatonville 35 600 1,050 1.75 996 8 28 

65- Tanwax Creek near McKenna '27.2 243 344 1.42 403 26 23 

PUYALLUP RIVER BASIN 

66 Puyallup River near Electron 93 4,000 7,350 1.84 6,640 7 28 

67 Puyallup River near Orting 170 5,500 9,350 1.'70 9,130 9 30 

68 Puyallup River at Alderton 438 11,600 20,100 1.73 19,300 8 30 

69 Puyallup River at Puyallup 948 22,400 37,300 1.66 37,200 10 38 

70 Kapowsin Creek near Kapowsin 23 367 616 1.68 609 10 28 

71 Carbon River near Fairfax 81 3,660 5,700 1.56 6,070 13 32 

72 ~ite River at Greenwater 216 3;950 7,200 1.82 6,560 7 36 

13 White River near Buckley 403 9,750 17,000 1.74 16,200 8 30 

74 Greenwater River at Greenwater 74 1,300 2,330 1.79 2,160 8 32 

DUvVAMISH RIVER BASIN 

75 Green River near Palmer 231 11,000 17,800 1.62 18,300 ll 30 

76 Green River near Black Diamond 286 11,000 17,400 1.58 18,300 13 24 

77 Green River near Auburn 386 11,600 18,400 1.59 19,300 13 28 

LAKE WASHINGTON BAS1N 

78 North Fork Cedar River near Lester 8.8 870 1,360 1.56 1,440 13 24 

79 Cedar River below Bear Creek near Cedar 

Falls 25.4 1,390 2,060 1.48 2,310 18 23 

80 Cedar River near Cedar Fal~s 41.8 2,490 4,070 1,63 4,130 10 23 

81 Cedar River at Cedar Falls 86 1,760 4,100 2.33 2,9.20 5 38 

82 Cedar River near Landsberg 138 2,450 6,300 2.57 4,070 4 39 

83 South Fork Cedar River near Lester 6.0 450 816 1.81 747 7 23 

84 Rex River near Cedar Falls 13 835 1,460 1.75 1,390 8 23 

85 _Rock Creek near Maple VaJle-y 12.6 116 2gQ ~ .• 94 199. 6 23 
PATA FOR HOMOGENEITY TEST 17 

Data ~or homogeneity test ~or gaging stations in western Washington--Continued 

R.I. E~~ecQ2.33 ~or tive 

:Drainage ~2.33 QlO QlO 

Q2.33 length 

No. Gaging station area X X 0~ 

(sq mi) (c~s) (c~s) Q2.33 ratio ratio record 

(c~s) (yr) (yr) 

LAKE WASHINGTON BASIN--Continued 

8~ May Creek near Renton 13 214 456 2.13 355 5 22 

87 Issaquah Creek near Issaquah 26.2- 525 9;;o 1.5.8 871 13 23 

88 Sammamish River near Redmond 140 780 1,300 1.67 1,290 10 26 

89 Sammamish River at Bothell 199 995 . 1, 540 1.55 1,650 14 26 

90 North Creek.near Bothell 18,7 244 484 1.98 398 6 22 

SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN 

91 South Fork Skykomish River near Index 355 24,600 45,000 1.83 40,800 7 410 

92 Skykomish River near Gold Bar 535 40,300 69,300 1.73 67,000 9 32 

93 Snohomish River at Snohomish 1,700 61,000 104,000 1.71 101,000 9 24 

94 Beckler River near Skykomish 95 6,050 10,400 1.72 10,000 9 24 

9-5 North Fork Skykomish River at Index 149 11,100 17,500 1.58 18,400 12 30 

96 Troublesome Creek near Index 10.4 940 1,480 1.58 1,560 12 26 

97 Olney Creek near Gold Bar 7.9 1,190 1,850 1.55 1,980 14 26 

98 May Creek near Gold Bar 4 .• :5 240 408 1.70 398 9 23 

99 Sultan River near Startup 75 14,500 24,700 1.'70 24,100 9 36 

100 Middle Fork Snoqualmie River near North 

Bend · 17;3 12,500 19,700 1.58 20,700 13 28 

101 Snoqualmie River near Tolt 605 30,100 49,500 1.64 50,000 11 31 

102 North Fork Snoqualmie River near Snoqualmie Falls {j5 5,780 8,270 1.43 9,600 24 30 

103 North Fork Snoqualmie River near North 

Bend 105 7,200 11,300 1.57 12,000 13 32 

104 South Fork Snoqualmie River a;t North 

Bend 83 4_,840 8,140 1.68 8,030 9 32 

105 Raging River near Fall City 31.2 1,740 2,550 1.47 2,890 19 23 

106 Tolt River near Tolt 80 7,400 11,600 1.57 . 12,300 13 28 

107 Pilchuck River near Granite Falls 53 4,080 7,400 1.81 6,770 7 24 

STILLAGUAMISH RIVER BASIN 

108 South Fork Stillaguamish River near Granite Falls 119 15,100 23,5·00 1.56 25,000 13 32 

109 South Fork Stillaguamish River above 

Jim Creek near Arlington 199 21,900 35,500 1.62 36,400 11 32 

110 Jim Creek·near Arlington 48.9 2,610 4,260 1.63 4,330 11 27 

111 North rork Stillaguamish River near Arlington 269 18,800 29,000 1.54 31,200 14 32 

SKAGIT RIVER BASIN 

112 Skagit River near Newhalem 765 14,400 22,800 1.58 23,900 12 32 

113 Skagit River at Newhalem 1,160 25,000 37,800 1.51 41,500 16 40 

114 Skagit River near Concrete 2,700 87,000 142,ooo : 1.63 144,000 10 34 

115 Beaver Creek near Newhalem 63 2,850 4,400 1.54 4,730 14 24 

116 Ruby Creek near Newhalem 203 4,730 6,600 1.39 7,860 30 30 

117 Thunder Creek near Newhalem 98 4,580 7,350 1.60 7,600 12 36 

118 Stetattle Creek near Newhalem 21.4 2,710 4,410 1.63 4;500 11 31 

119 Bacon Creek near Marblemount 50 5,400 10,800 2.00 8;960 6 24 

120 Cascade River at Marblemount 180 8,500 13,600 1.60 14,100 10 32 

121 Sauk River above Whitechuck River near Darrington 152 10,200 19,400 1.90 16,900 7 34 

122 Sauk River at Darrington 293 15,900 28,400 1.79 26,400 8 32 

123 Sauk River near Sauk 714 32,100 65,000 2.02 53,300 6 31 

124 Suiattle River near Mans~ord 335 14,300 25,500 1.78 23,700 8 28 

125 Baker River belowAnderson Creek near Concrete 184 17,500 31,200 1.78 29,000 8 28 

126 Alder Creek near Hamilton 8.8 . 390 682 . 1.75 648 8 24 

SAMISH RIVER BASIN 

127 Samish River near Burlington 88 3,200 6,380 1.99 5,310 6 24 

128 Friday Creek near Burlington 37.1 880 1,580 1.80 1,460 8 22 

NOOKSACK RIVER BASIN 

129 ~ooksack River above Cascade Creek near Glacier 105 6,700 11,000 1.64 11,100 10 28 

130 Nooksack River at Deming 580 30,000 53,200 1.77 49,800 8 28 

131 S'outh Fork Nooksack River near Wicker:ban 103 9,000 16,900 1.88 14,900 7 28 

Note.--Ar~tbmetic mean of all stations ~.s 1,..66 
18 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

The test requires a study of the 10-yr flood as estimated at each station on the station 

frequency curve. These 10-yr floods expressed in ratio to mean annual . floods are. averaged to 

obtain the mean 10-yr ratio (QlO) for the area. The recurrence interyal (R.I.) corresponding 

to the mean annual flood times the average 10-yr ratio is determined for each station and 

plotted against the number of years of record on the test graph shown in figure 5. If the 

points fo~ all the stations lie between the two curves, they are then considered homogeneous. 

Points outside the band indicate where the area should be further subdivided. This test was 

used before the records were combined to form a composite frequency curve. All points were 

found to p~ot within these bands except 12. Four of the 12 points plotted reasonably close to 

the upper limit, and when an investigation of the basic records of these stations showed no 

apparent cause for rejection, the stations were included in the analyses. The basic records of 

t.he other 11 stations were of short length, were affected by storage, or had poorly defined 

ratings; therefore the records for these stations were eliminated from the remainder of the 

analyses. 

5 ['.... ~ v ~ / 

'\ 

I I 

10 

. 

I 

\ 86 90 28 r7 32 

\ 85 56 ~:3 ~ ~8 80 87¥2 79 J ~ 65 55 

34 • •36 • 37. 23 119 l91 ~3 fii~ 78 54 6 41) • 25 

~0 f2~ . . 127 94 ~-3 4 1 :6•115 • 

30 63 60 88 96 9! ~5 i7 49 

21 110 ~5 8943 . 131 12~~4 ~~9 1r~ .8 66 64130 

47 7:'l 67 75 45 17 42 116 

\ 123 68 4 .h18 44 8 102 ~8 ·I .16 

2~ ~ 4~o~ .1~8J11 

IJ9 

~0 i2 

74 9 1 jf1~ro~1 26 

5

0. 51 

~9 121 1 ~~ 1.25~5 el8 

I 72 ~8 1,991 117 .2 6 

169 

• •5 

81 .41 82 I 91 13 113 

0 

et: 20 

0 

0 

w 

et: 

~ 

0 

I 

~ 

<.!> 30 z 

w 

_I 

w 

> 

i= 

u 

w 

~ 

~ 

w 40 

I 

50 I 

12 1.3 141.5 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 20 30 40 50 100 200 

RECURRENCE INTERVAL, IN YEARS 

Figure 5.--Homogeneity test graph. 
REGIONAL DISTRIB:UTION 19 

Composite frequency curve;.--All stations satisfying the requirements for homogeneitymay be 

grouped together for the purpose of computing average flood ratios for each recurrence interval 

applicable for the entire region. The flood ratios for all recorded floods for each recurrence 

interval were listed and the median flood ratios were selected from this tabulation. Each -

median flood ratio was then plotted to its corresponding recurrence interval on a frequency 

chart and an average or composite frequency curve drawn (fig~ 6). This curve, showing flood 

discharge in ratio to mean annual flood, is based on all significant discharge records available 

and may be considered as representing the most likely flood-frequency values for all parts of 

the region. This curve was not extended beyond 50 yr because of the dangers involved in extrapolating too far beyond the basic data. 

0 2.5 

0 

9 

lL 

;i2.0 

::> 

~ 

z 

<( 1.5 

z 

<( 

UJ 

~ 

o J.O 1-

0 

~0.5) a::: 

.o 

1.1 1:.2 1.3 l.4 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910 20 30 40 50 100 200 

RECURRENCE INTERVAL,IN YEARS 

l''igure 6.-- Composite frequency curve for annual floods. 
20 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

Derivation of the mean annual_flood 

The next step is to provide a means of determining the mean annual flood for any drainage 

basin in the region. A study was made of the relationship between the mean annual floods at the 

gaging stations and various basin characteristics that could conceivably affect flood flow. A 

formula was derived from this study by which it is possible to compute the mean annual flood for 

any drainage basin in the region using only its basin characteristics. 

Drain~~~~!£_~~~~ct~~~ics.--Drainage basin characteristics are numerous and often complex. Some are difficult if not impossible to determine, while others are difficult to express 

in mathematical terms. Some of the more obvious basin characteristics are drainage area, precipitation, vegetation, geology, prevailing winds, alinement, physical shape, slope, altitude, and 

storage. 

The drainage area is the most easily detennined basin characteristic and undoubtedly one of 

the most significant. The physical size of the catchment area is a positive factor that is 

readily computable. However, there are other factors concerninc; the drainage area that complicate its relation to the flood runoff, such as the relation of area to basin-wide rainfall 

intensities or to time of concentration of flood waters. 

Precipitation mi3ht be a good characteristic to utilize as an element for correlation if it 

could be properly evaluated, but precipitation data are not adequate. Most precipitation stations are located at lower altitudes and cannot be used as indices for those few at higher ones. 

Also, the concentration of stations at low altitudes is so meager that it is not adequate to 

measure the sharp changes brought about by topo[';raphy. This shortage of precipitation stations 

results in very poor coverage at medium altitudes and practically none .for high areas. Isohy~tal 

maps of the region are available, but they are a product of the combination of precipitation~ 

records and runoff records, the runoff being used to esti..mate the precipitation at higher altitudes, The influence o.f precipitation :1.s probably reflected by other characteristics and 

because it cannot be evaluated properly, it was not used in this study. 

The amount and type of vegetal cover have ~~ effect on the magnitude of a flood. A forest 

in a humid region will retain large volumes of water while a steep sparsely covered escarpment 

will shed practically all of the rainfall. Because it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to measure these conditions in any but the smallest drainage basins, this factor was not 

used, 

The geology of a basin has an effect on the size of floods and also may affect their 

frequency. A thorough and intensive geologic study of the entire ~rea would be necessary in 

order to evaluate this factor. Because this is not practical and its influence is probably 

reflected by other elements, it has not been considered usable. 

The relationship of flood runoff to rain barriers and prevailing winds is an index or 

orographic effect. The irregularity of the topography and its location preclude the possibility 

of using any one point or line as a reference to measure distance from any one barrier. The 

prevailing winds, however, are from the west and southwest; so practically all of the major 
DERIVATION OF THE MEAN ANNUAL FLOOD 21 

storms travel eastward. With this fact in mind, the general aliQement of the basin with respect 

to west was considered as a basin characteristic. 

The shape of the basin is an important element because it determines the coincidence of 

floods on major and minor tributaries. In a long, narrow basin the tirite and volume of concentration is radically different from that in a shorter, wider basin. 

The slope of the basin affects the flood peak in a simi+ar manner to the shape. The lag 

time, or speed of collection, is dependent on the slope, as well as on the size and shape of the 

basin. 

The mean altitude of a basin reflects the precipitation to a great extent. The influence of 

vegetation and geology also may correlate quit¢ closely with altitude. This characteristic is 

easily obtainable as compared to some others. 

The area of lakes and ponds has a definite effect on the magnitude of a flood peak. It 

tends to reduce the sharpness of the peak becaus,e · of the temporary storage action. · Channel 

storage also may be a factor to consider here, but it cannot be determined in a satisfactory 

manner to supplement the storage effect of the measured area of lakes and pon¢1.s. 

Basin characteristics correlated.--Basin characteristics [

1 ay have a slightly different 

effect on the magnitude of each individual flood in a · drainage basin, but on the average it may 

be assumed that they have the same relative effect on each flood. Because the mean annual flood 

is an average flood, it may also be assumed. to be affected in like manner by the various basin 

characteristics .• 

The mean annual flood was correlated with the basin char cteristics that were easily 

obtained from a topographic map. The average value of each element had to be Used, which introduces errors, but it is thought that they may be compensating to some extent. The following list 

indicates the basin characteristics us ed and their ranges: 

l. Drainage area in square miles ranging in size from l to 2,700 sq mi. 

2. Mean altitude with a range of 390 to 5,800 ft. 

3. Slope in f eet per mile (mean altitude . minus altitude f gage, divided by length 

of basin measured along the principle stream). Rancres from 8 to 555ft per mile. 

4. Shape factor (maximum straight line width divided by aximum straight line length). 

Ranges from 0.16 to 1.56. 

5. Alinement in degrees from west ranging from oo to 

6. Area of lakes and ponds in percent of drainage area. Ranges from 0.01 to 20 percent. 

Drainage area, mean altitude, and area of lakes an0 ponds were the only elements that were 

found to correlate significantly with the mean annual flood. orne rather large residuals still 

rem~ined after the effects of these factors were removed. The probable causes of these residuals 

were inadequate sampling, geologic conditions and vegetal cover not being adequately represented, 

orographic and geographic effect not being sufficiently accounted for, and other factors not 

considered such as possible errors in basic data. There is also some scattering to be expected 

because of the chance elements inherent in relatively small samples such as are treated here. 

The basic data were checked for all "wild" points in an effort to ascertain the reason for such 

wide plotting. 
22 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

10 40 Miles 

w 

0 

~ 

(.) 

(/) 

Figure 7.--Areas to which geographical factors apply in western Washington. 
DERIVATION OF THE MEAN ANNUAL FLOOD 23 

Geographical factor.--The residuals from the previous correlation had a tendency to plot in 

groups according to geographical location, indicating that the geographical location is a large 

contributing factor to the size of the residuals. In order to remove some of the geographical 

effect, a factor, called the geographical factor, was ~pplied to the mean annual floods.• 

The entire region of western Washington was divided into seven .geographical subregions. 

Isohyetal maps, topography, and the general grouping of the points were used as guides in determining the boundaries of the subregions in an effort to obtain better homogeneity. In general 

the boundaries of the subareas followed the divides between drainage basins. 

A geographical factor was assigned to each subregion shown on figure 7, computed on tne 

basis of the median of the residuals from the previous correlation of all streams lying within 

the boundaries of the subarea. 

The final multiple correlation was made with mean annual flood as the dependent variable, 

with drainage area, altitude, percent area of lakes and ponds, and geographical factor as the 

independent variables. (See following table.) Drainage area was found to be the most significant, with altitude less important, and the percent area of lakes and ponds being the least 

effective factor. The geographical factor was a significant variable; but owing to the method by 

which it was derived, it is not considered directly comparable to the other variables in effecti vene ss. 

No. 

l 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

Factors used in the multiple correlation of mean annual flood 

to basin characteristics 

Adjusted 

mean Mean 

Gaging station annual Drainage altiflood area tude 

(cfs) ( sq mi) (ft) 

KLICKITAT RIVER BASIN 

Klickitat River above West Fork near Glenwood 1,800 151 4,700 

Klickitat River near Glenwood 3,050 360 4,500 

Klickitat River near Pitt 8,330 1,170 3,500 

WHITE SALMON RIVER BAS IN 

White Salmon River at Husum 3,500 300 3,380 

White Salmon River near Underwood 4,660 384 3,070 

LITTLE WHITE SALMON RIVER BAS!N 

Little White Salmon River at Willard 2,380 117 2,460 

WIND RIVER BASIN 

Wind River above Trout Creek near Carson 3,900 108 2,660 

Wind River near Carson 

j - 10;900 225 2,380 

WASHOUGAL RIVER BASIN I 

Washougal River near Washougal 13,700 108 1,730 

LAKE RIVER BASIN 

Salmon Creek I 

near Battle Ground 792 18.3 1,000 

GeographArea of ical 

lakes factor 

(percent). 

0.01 20 

.14 20 

.07 20 

. .07 20 

.08 20 

. 

.01 20 

.09 50 

.04 50 

.01 120 

.01 120 
24 FLOODS I N 1

.'mSTERN WASHINGTON 

Factors u~ed in the multiple correlation of mean annual flood 

to basin characteristics--Continued 

No. Gaging station 

LE'N'IS RIVER BASIN 

11 Lewis River above Big Muddy River near Cougar 

12 Lewis River near Cougar 

13 Lewis River at Ariel 

14 Swift Creek near Cougar 

15 Canyon Creek near Amboy 

16 East Fork Lewis River near Heisson 

KALAMA RIVER BAS n:r 

17 Kalama River below Italian Creek near Kalama 

COYJLITZ RIVER -BASTI1 

18 Cowlitz River at Packwood 

19 Cowlitz River near Mayfield 

20 Cowlitz River at Castle Rock 

21 Clear Fork Cowlitz River .near Packwood 

22 Lake Creek near Packwood 

23 Johnson Creek near Packwood 

24 Cispus River near Randle 

25 Tilton River near Cinebar 

26 Toutle River near Silver Lake 

ELOKOMIN RIVER BAS IN 

27 Elokomin River near Cathlamet 

NASELLE RIVER BASIN 

28 Naselle River near Naselle 

NORTH RIVER BASIN 

29 North River near Ra"YIDond 

CHEHALIS RIVER BASIN 

30 Chehalis River near Doty 

31 Chehalis River near Grand Mound 

32 Chehalis River at South Elma 

33 Elk Creek near Doty 

34 South Fork Chehalis River at Boistfort 

35 Skookurnchuck River near Centralia 

36 Black River• at Little Rock 

37 Cloquallum River at Elma 

38' Satsop River near Satsop 

39 Wynoo~hee River at Oxbow near Aberdeen 

40 Wynoochee River below Black Creek near Montesano 

QUINAULT RIVER BASIN 

41 Quinault River at Quinault Lake 

QUEETS RIVER BASIN 

42 Queets River near Clearwater 

43 Clearwater River near Clearwater 

HOH RIVER BASIN 

44 Hoh River near Spruce 

QUILLAYUTE RIVER BASIN 

45 Soleduck River near Fairholm 

Adjusted mean 

annual 

flood 

(cfs) 

11,800 

20,100 

39,200 

1,520 

5,800 

9,100 

10,000 

14,300 

30,500 

50,500 

2,420 

460 

1,800 

7,000 

7,850 

15,700 

3, 740 

5,220 

8,409 

9,150 

24,500 

28,600 

1,500 

2,400 

3,670 

895 

2,600 

21,400 

10,900 

15,200 

21,600 

54,700 

16,300 

19,100 

8,650 

Drainage area 

(sqmi) 

22'7 

481 

731. 

26 

62 

125 

201 

287 

1,400 

2,240 

56 

18.8 

50 

323 

158 

474 

66 

55 

219 

113 

897 

1,420 

46.7 

49.2 

60 

64 

66 

315 

65 

179 

264 

454 

140 

193 

84 

Mean 

altitude 

(ft) 

3,520 

3,120 

2,730 

3,190 

2,410 

1,940 

1,880 

4,230 

3,170 

2,540 

4,330 

4,700 

4,010 

4,.130 

1,990 

2,310 

1,190 

910 

700 

1,000 

,800 

' 700 

810 

830 

1,700 

420 

410 

500 

2,000 

900 

2,700 

1,700 

1,500 

3,000 

2,900 

Area of 

lakes 

(percent) 

0.04 

.02 

.88 

.01 

.01 

.01 

.01 

.07 

.11 

.26 

. 01 

4.25 

.01 

.15 

.01 

.93 

.01 

.01 

.01 

.01 

.03 

.14 

.01 

.01 

.01 

1.56 

.61 

:25 

.01 

.01 

2.08 

.01 

.01 

.10 

.48 

Geegraphi.cal 

factor 

) 

50 

50 

70 

50 

120 

120 

120 . 

50 

50 

80 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

120 

120 

120 

120 

120 

120 

120 

120 

120 

120 

120 

230 

230 

230 

230 

230 

230 

230 

230 

230 
DERIVATION OF THE MEAN ANNqAL FLOOD 

Factors used in the multiple correlation of mean . annual flood 

to basin characteristics--Continued 

No. Gaging station 

ELVJHA RIVER BAS IN 

46 Elwha River at McDonald Bridge near Port Angeles 

DU1ifGENESS RIVER BASIN 

4? Dungeness River near Sequim 

DOSEWALLIPS RIVER BASIN 

48 Dosewallips River near Brinnon 

DUCKABUSH RIVER BASIN 

49 Duckabush River near Brinnon 

SKOKOMISH RIVER BASIN 

50 North Fork Slcokomish River below Staircase RapidE 

near Hoodsport 

51 South Fork Sk okomish River near Union 

MISSION CREEK BASIN 

52 Mission Creek near Bremerton 

53 Mission Creek near Belfair 

TAHUYA RIVER BASIN 

54 Tahuya Creek near Bremerton 

55 Gold Creek near Bremerton 

56 Panther Creek ne a r Bremerton 

DESCHUTES RIVER BASIN 

57 Deschutes River near Olympia 

NISQUALLY RIVER BASIN 

58 Nisqually River near National 

59 Nisqually River at La Grande 

60 Nisqually River near McKenna 

61 Mineral Creek near Mineral 

62 Little Nisqually River near Alder 

63 Mashel River near La Grande 

64 Ohop Creek near Eatonville 

65 Tanwax Creek near McKenna 

PUYALLUP RIVER BASIN 

66 Puyal lup River near Electron 

67 Puyallup River near Orting 

68 ~uyallup River at Al d erton 

69 Puyallup River at Puya llup 

70 Kapowsin Creek at Kapowsin 

71 Carbon River near Fairfax 

72 Vfuite River near Greenwater 

73 White River near Buckley 

74 Greenwate.r River at Greenwater 

DUW.Ali'IISH RIVER BASIN 

75 Green River near Palmer 

76 Green River near Black Diamond 

77 Green River near Auburn 

Adjusted 

mean 

annual 

flood 

(cfs) 

12,400 

2,880 

4,100 

4,870 

7,000 

10,600 

51 

145 

285 

105 

65 

3,180 

6,080 

11,300 

15,200 

4,440 

1,780 

3,200 

600 

243 

4,000 

5,500 

11,600 

22,400 

367 

3,660 

3,950 

9,750 

1,300 

11,000 

11,000 

11,600 

Drainage 

area 

(sq mi) 

262 

156 

94 

66 

60 

81 

1.9 

4.4 

Mean 

altitude 

(ft) 

3,700 

4,500 

4,700 

4,100 

3,700 

2,100 

810 

650 

6.1 930 

1.5 1,120 

1 520 

164 

133 

296 

445 

75 

27.2 

79 

35 

27.2 

93 

170 

438 

948 

23 

81 

216 

403 

74 ' 

231 

286 

38 6 

950 

4,020 

3,200 

2,740 

2,?40 

2,600 

2,300 

1,600 

640 

4, 1 00 

3,000 

2,000 

2,500 

1,500 

4,000 

4,700 

3,800 

I 4,200 

3,100 

2,900 

2,400 

Area of 

lakes 

(percent) 

0.23 

.06 

.11 

.30 

.17 

.25 

5.27 

4.55 

1.64 

.01 

20.00 

.67 

.38 

1.79 

1.48 

.01 

.37 

.01 

1.72 

1.84 

.54 

.82 

.39 

.31 

3.04 

.25 

.46 

.30 

.27 

.09 

.07 

.60 

25 

Geog raphical 

factor 

70 

20 

70 

70 

230 

230 

120 

120 

120 

120 

120 

70 

70 

'70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

?0 

70 

50 

50 

50 

70 

70 

70 
)- 26 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

Factors used in the multiple correlation of mean annual flood 

to basin characteristics--Continued 

No~ Gaging station 

LAKE WASHINGTON BAS IN 

78 North Fork Cedar River near Lester 

79 Cedar River below Bear Creek near Cedar Falls 

80 Cedar River near Cedar Falls 

81 Cedar Rive~ at Cedar Falls 

82 Cedar River near Landsberg 

83 South Fork Cedar River near Lester 

84 Rex River near Cedar Falls 

85 Rock Creek near Maple Valley 

86 May Creek near Renton 

87 Issaquah Creek near Issaquah 

88 Sammamish River near Redmond 

89 Sammamish River at Bothell 

90 North Creek near Bothell 

SNOHOMISH RI~R BASllT 

91 South Fork Skykomish River near Index 

92 Skykomish River near Gold Bar 

93 Snohomish River at Snohomish 

94 Beckler River near Skykomish 

95 North Fork Skykomish River ne~r Index 

96 Troublesome Creek near Index 

97 Olney Creek near Gold Bar 

98 May Creek near Gold Bar 

99 Sultan River near Startup 

100 Middle Fork Snoqualmie!River near North Bend 

101 Snoqualmie River near Tolt 

102 North. Fork Snoqualmie River near Snoqualmie Falls 

103 North Fork Snoqualmie River near North Bend 

104 South Fork Snoqualmie River at North Bend 

105 Raging River near Fall City 

106 Tolt River near Tolt 

107 Pilchuck River near Granite Falls 

STILLAGUAMISH RIVER BASIN 

108 South Fork Stillaguamish River near Granite Falls 

109 South Fork Stillaguamish River above Jim Creek near Arlington · 110 Jim Creek near Arlington 

lll North Fork Stillaguamish River near Arlington 

SKAGIT RIVER BAS IN 

112 Skagit River near Newhalem 

113 · Skagit River at Newhalem 

114 Skagit River near Concrete 

115 Beaver Creek near Newhalem 

116 Ruby Creek near Newhalem 

117 Thunder Creek near Newhalem 

118 Stetattle Creek near Newhalem 

119 Bacon Creek near Marblemount 

120 Cascade River at Marblemount 

121 Sauk River above Whi techuck River near Darrington 

122 Sauk River at Darrington 

123 Sauk River near Sauk 

124 Suiattle River near Mansford 

125 Baker River below Anderson Creek near Concrete 

126 Alder Creek near Hamilton 

SAMISII RIVER BASJJif 

127 Samish River near Burlington 

128 Friday Creek near Burlington 

NOOKSACK RIVER BASIN 

129 Nooksack River above Cascade Creek near Glacier 

130 Nooksack River at Deming 

131 South Fork Nooksack River near '.1J ickersham 

Adjusted mean 

annual 

flood 

(cfs) 

870 

1,390 

2,490 

1,760 

2,450 

450 

835 

116 

214 

525 

780 

995 

244 

24,600 

40,300 

61,000 

6,050 

11,100 

940 

1,190 

240 

14,500 

12,500 

30,100 

5,780 

7,200 

4,840 

1,740 

7,400 

4,080 

15,100 

21,900 

2,610 

18,800 

14,400 

25,000 

87,000 

2,850 

4,130 

4,580 

2,710 

5,400 

8,500 

10,200 

15,900 

32,100 

14,300 

17,500 

390 

3,200 

880 

6,700 

30,000 

9,000 

Drainage area 

(sq mi) 

8.8 

25.4 

41.8 

86 

138 

6 

13 

12.6 

13 

26.2 

140 

199 

18.7 

355 

535 

1,700 

95 

149 

10.4 

7.9 

4.3 

75 

173 

605 

65 

105 

83 

31.2 

80 

53 

119 

199 

48.9 

269 

765 

1,160 

2,700 

63 

203 

98 

21.4 

50 

180 

152 

293 

714 

335 

184 

8.8 

88 

37.1 

105 

580 

103 

Mean 

altitude 

(~t) 

3,830 

3,460 

3,230 

2,800 

2,400 

3,500 

3,360 

690 

540 

940 

600 

500 

390 

3,800 

3,700 

2,300 

3,600 

3,800 

3,500 

1,800 

3,380 

3,120 

3,500 

2,400 

3,200 

3,100 

2,900 

1,460 

2,300 

1,500 

2,600 

2,300 

1,400 

2,300 

4,800 

5,000 

4,100 

4,400 

5,700 

5,800 

5,000 

4,500 

4,400 

3,700 

3,800 

3,900 

4,500 

3,900 

1,280 

580 

710 

4,300 

3,000 

3,000 

Area of 

lakes 

(percent) 

5.68 

1.97 

1.43 

3.26 

2.17 

.01 

.01 

.01 

.77 

.38 

5.93 

4.37 

2.14 

.90 

.73 

.64 

.53 

.40 

3.85 

.01 

9,30 

.40 

1.27 

.69 

.77 

1.52 

.36 

.01 

.12 

.19 

.08 

.05 

.82 

.01 

.20 

2.21 

1.23 

.01 

.05 

.10 

.47 

.60 

.17 

.13 

.07 

.10 

.15 

• 71 

.01 

1.82 

4.04 

.19 

.24 

.29 

Geegraphical 

factor 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

70 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

50 

50 

90 

50 

50 

50 

160 

160 

·. 90 

90 

90 

90 

90 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 
DERIVATION OF Tiill MEAN ANNUAL FLOOD 

Forraula.--The formula derived from the multiple correlation was: 

Mean annual flood 

where A 

E 

G 

L 

= 

= 

= 

= 

= 

Area of drainage basin in square miles 

Mean altitude of drainage basin 

Geographical factor 

Area of lakes and ponds in percent of 

drainage area 

27 

The standard error of estimate of the multiple correlation was computed to be 45 percent of 

the mean; that is, two-thirds of the plotted points fell within 45 percent of the computed curve. 

A part of this rather large standard error can be due to error in the individual station frequency curves themselves, and the plotted values do not necessarily represent the true mean 

annual flood for that station. In fact it is probable that the computed values, which represent 

the combined data of all the streams in the region, are more nearly correct than the values taken 

from the individual frequency curves. 

The coefficient of determination for the formula was 0.94; meaning that 94 percent of the 

variation of the mean annual flood is accounted for by the formula. This high degree of correlation results from the fact that a great range of values has been considered in the analyses; 

therefore the computed figures of flood discharge should be as near to the correct magnitude as 

the accuracy of ~he basic data will permit. The 6 percent variance that remains unaccounted for 

may be due to factors not considered and to errors in sampling. 

The formula has also been presented in nomograph form for ease of application. Two nomographs have been prepared to cover a range in drainage area of 5 to 500 sq mi: figure 8, 5 to 50 

sq mi; and figure 9, 50 to 500 sq mi. For areas greater than 500 sq mi the formula must· be 

applied. 

Limitations.--The use of the formula is limited by the ranges ·of the basic data used to 

define it. The formula should not be applied to any area outside its region of de.riva tion, 

western Washington. Although a small number of the drainage areas us.ed in this report are in 

the range of l to 5 sq mi, it is thought unsafe to consider the formula applicable to these 

small areas when based on such meager data. Further studies on small areas are being made. 

With this reservation the formula is considered applicable to all areas from 5 to 2,700 sq mi. 
50 15,000 f 6000 (\) 

1230 r .01 0> 

45 Key: I I ~ 10,000 

9000 f- !SOOO 

40 A-1-E 

J 

8000 

7000 [: 1-2-G I 1- .02 6000 

35 5000 ~ 4000 1160 2--Q-L <l t- .03 

' 4000 

30 

~ 

~ IZO 

~~ .0< 3000 

~ .05 

2000 E 3000 ~ .06 <( 

25 I I I= ,.,.. .07 

.08 

.09 2500 ·10 

1000 90 '>;I 

20 I I ~~- 900 t"' 

0 800 § N 700 - 2000 Cll 

w 600 w .20 H z z z 500 70 

Zl- :::i :::i __J 400 ~ :r::: .30 Cll 15 1- 1- <l 0... 

~ 0 0 ::::> > <l > z 300 1500 0: ::u a: 0: z (!) .40 z <l -o 

w .50 ::e: 

~~ z (!) )> 

<l 200 50 .60 Cll w ::X: :2: H .70 z .80 0 

8 .90 

1.00 ~ 10 100 1000 90 

80 

70 !=- 900 

60 

50 ~ 800 I "'I=- 2.00 

40 

r 700 

30 roo 4.00 

600 

20 1- 5.00 

'-- 6.00 15 [_ 20 

500 

I I 5 

A I 2 Q E G 

L-

Figure B.--Nomograph for computing mean annual flood for drainage areas of 5 to 50 sq mi. 
N , q q 

DERIVATION OF THE MEAN ANNUAL FLOOD 

0 

"! 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 

"! ~ "! . ~ "': ~~3 

0 

0 

l'i 

0 

~ 

I I I I I I i 11111!!11111!(11111'""1 I I, 1,1.1,1.1 II II 1!1111!1""""1 '13~'1. 39'/Nt'f~Q ~0 1N3!>~3d Nl 'SONOd ON~ 3>Ph ~0 113~'1 

0 

.., 

... 0 

"' 

0 0 0 0 0 0 

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lllllllllllllllllllliiJI I 1. 1 

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0 

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0 

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0 

... 

0 

0 

~ 

0 

8 

N 

0 

Cll 

0 

0 

0 

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0 

..... 

0 

0 

II) 

0 

II) 

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0 

0 

0 

~ 

133.:1 Nl 'NOil'IA313 N'/3~ 

00 0 0 0 0 

88 g 8 g g 201 «1 . t- ID II) 

0 

0 

0 

• 

'o 

0 

· o 

,., 0 

0 

0 

N 

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

~ Ql CD ..... 

II Ill II I II II I I I I 

88 8 g 8 g OOI«<t- "' II) 

0 

0 

• 0 

0 

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I I I 

0 

0 • 

I 

0 

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0 0 0 0 111 tO 

I II I 

0 

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I I 

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I 

I I "' It I I In"" II" I I II IIIII! !II d II I I I I I I II II I " I Ill II I !Ill,, I I d 111111111 II II I I I I I I I "I I I I I IH I! II!",, I I "II' IIIII" I I I I I I I I I 

S.:l!> Nl '0001.:1 1'/0NN'I N'/3~ 

0 0 0 0 

~ ~ ~ ~ 

I, II I ,, I I I I I I I I I I 

-' I 

0 

I 

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0 

0 

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I I I 

0 

II) 

N 

0 

~ 

'l 3NI1 10fdd 

I 3NII 10/\ld 

0 

II) 

S311~ 3~'100S N I ''13~11 3911NI'1~0 

0 

0 

0 

It) 

w 

0 

N 

Figure 9. --Nomograph for computing mean annual flood. t'.or dra:inase -areas of 50 to--500 sq mi. 

29 
30 FLOODS I N VJESTERN VlASHITWTON 

APPLICATION OF FLOOD FOID~ULA 

The application of the formula to a given area is accomplished by obtainirtg · values for the 

various basin characteristics and then employing these values to get the mean annual flood. The 

mean annual flood is then used in conjunction with the composite frequency curve to solve for 

the magnitude of the flood at the desired recurrence interval. 

Method of obtaining basin characteristics 

Select the topographic sheet or sheets that include the entire drainage basin under consideration. Outline the area on the map and measure it by any method such as by the use of a 

planimeter or a transparent grid that has been made to map scale. 

Measure mean altitude, using a transparent grid. Grid lines should be in accordance with 

the map scale and not more than 1 mile apart. On small areas the grid lines must necessaril~ be 

closer together to obtain the desired accuracy. The grid is then superimposed over the .outlined 

area, and the altitudes at the intersections of the grid lines are listed. The arithmetical 

average of these altitudes is then taken as the average altitude of the drainage basin. 'l'here 

are other methods for obtaining the mean altitudes, but the added work in computation is not 

considered warranted for the little accuracy gained. 

The area of lakes and ponds is measured in a manner similar to the drainage area, and that 

factor is. recorded as a percentage of the drainage area, Because all streams have a small amount 

of storage in the form of lakes, ponds, swamps, or channels, a value of 0.01 percent (0.0001) is 

used as a minimum, The geographical factor is obtained by simply locating the area under consideration on the geographical factor map (fig. 7), If the area falls in more than one of the 

factor subregions, the approximate weighted average on an areal basis is comp1Jted, 

Use of formula and nomogr~ 

The formula for mean annual flood is read;ily solvable by the use of logarith.rns. 

The value of mean annual -flood is also obtainable with the nomograph and a straiEht edge. 

Apply nomograph in the following manner: 

1. Select the nomograph that fits the size of the drainage area under consideration. 

2. Plot the drainage area on the~ scale and the mean altitude on theE scale. 

3. Place the straight edge connecting these two points and mark the point where this 

line intersects with pivot line 1. 

4. Plot the geographical factor on the G scale. 

5. Place the straight edge connecting the marl(ed point on pivot line 1 with the 

geographical factor and mark the point where this line intersects with pivot 

line 2. 

6. Plot the percent of lakes and ponds on the L scale, keeping in mind that the 

minimum value of this factor is 0. 01 percent. 

7. Place the straight edge connecting the. marked point on pivot line 2 with the 

percent of lakes and ponds and mark the point where this line intersects the 

Q scale. Read the value of the mean annual flood dir~ct in cubic feet per second. . 
APPLICATI_ON OF FLOOD FORMULA 

Use of composite frequency curve 

After the mean annual flood has been computed, the magnitude of the flood for a selected 

recurrence is calculated, 

From figure 6 (composite frequency curve) select the flood ratio that corresponds to the 

desired recurrence interval. Multiply this ratio by the mean annual flood, and the result is 

the magnitude of the flood that can be expected to be equalled or exceeded on the average of 

once in the number of years of the selected recurrence interval. 

31 

A complete frequency curve, if desired for· any given area, may be defined by plotting, on 

any type of graph paper, flood discharges determined for several different recurrence intervals. 

ENVELOPING CURVE 

An enveloping curve of maximum discharges per square mile of many floods for different areas 

in western Washington (fig. 10) has been included as an additional guide to the possible maximum 

discharges of a stream in any area. Its use is very limited, and it should not be construed as 

a maximum expected flood-discharge curve. The enveloping curve presents the maximum recorded 

floods in a clear, concise manner where they can be compared for magnitude, area, and general 

location. 

The enveloping curve for different areas in western Washington is/ based mainly on data used 

in this report, which may be found in the tabulation of peak discharges accompanying each station 

description listed under gaging-station records, The data used for some areas were determined 

by indirect methods while other data are historical flood information.· The data for peakdischarge determinations at miscellaneous points are listed in the table on page 123. 

COHCLUSION 

The methods for computing flood magnitudes for a given recurrence interval as outlined in 

this report are not the final answer to the problem. As more gaging stations are installed in 

different areas where varying basin characteristics will be sampled, and as the period of 

record at existing gaging stations grows longer, more information will be available that will 

more firmly establish the present study and undoubtedly lead to further improvement, When the 

data become available for extending the curves used in this stud.y from areas of 5 sq mi down to 

1 sq mi or less, some very enlightening results may be forthcoming, It is anticipated that this 

report will be revised at such time as enough additional data are collected to complete such a 

study, 

Eastern Washington presents an interesting field for :this same type of study, and a similar 

report probably should be written covering this area when time and money are available. 
1000 

w 

...J 

::E 

w 

0:: 

~100 

0 

(/) 

a:: 

w 

a.. 

0 

z 

0 

u 

w 

C/) 

a:: 

w 

Q_ 

..... 

w 

w 

LL... 

u 

CD 10 :::> 

u 

~ 

w 

(!) 

a:: 

<t 

:X: 

0 

(f) 

0 

.us • 50 

/ r-r- ~ ) ... \ 

~ .u9 ws 

• 39. ~51 • 

·.45 

96 • B, e9 •44 •46 

56 • !28 .w6 43 e125 

/B el5 131 • •121 109 e13 

• 98 ' 107 . •• 30 •• 29 .41 .91 

.o e83 •.21 ~8 •95 75 18 •92 ' 

eF . 102•49 16 40 •111• 84 5 80 ·- • 27 94 103. • • •• • 122 12 .123 • • • • 63 ~ 1~7 .wo 11 4@9 • 

• -53 22 •62 e34 e35 7f~104 •129 e120 • e124 101 •93 

- • .54 E. :to ~? .no 61 81 • 7 67 s 26 • ;3o •19 •114 • . • 25.. • • • • 

87 23 3

? • t27 18 .,24 69 .20 126 • • • 72 .77 ~· • •52 • .33 115 . •.74 5s •• s2 • •68 _..1 •113 

':J':J 64 47 •116 112 • • .73 • 

•6 e4 e60 

.s6 2s 90 .70 • 2 32 • .57 •• 5 • 

.36 .1 

.s5 . • 3 .38 

.65 .ss 

.s9 

-· --- - - - - ---·---· '---------------- 10 100 

DRAINAGE .AREA, IN SQUARE MILES 

curv~ of maximum discharges in western 

1000 5000 

Figure 

({\~; 10. nveloping Washington. 

U< 

[\) 

':l;j 

1:-i 

0 

g 

(/.) 

H 

z 

~ (/.) 

~ :::0 

z 

~ 

~ 

(/.) 

:+: 

H 

z 

0 

1-3 

0 

z 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

I GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

Stations from which homogeneous reco~ds were obtained 

33 

This section ·contains a brief description of each gaging station used in the report for the 

definition of the compo.$ite frequency curve along with a tabulation of all arinual flood peaks 

both within and outside the base period, 1912-51. Where the magnitude of a flood peak in this 

report differs from that published in a water-supply papeLr', the revision was made solely to 

obtain consistency among the flood discharges being studibd; except for the years 1949-51 for 

which records have not been publishe~ and the peaks are provisional. 

For a few gaging stations that have. 15 or more yes,rs of record, a plotting of .the frequency 

of annual floods a~justed to the base period have been included. (See figs. ll-31.) Also, a 

plotting of the c..c)mposi te frequency curve is shown for comparative purposes. Curves for stations 

with less thap 15 yr of record have not been shown becausl they have been considered as not 

having firm enough support for general use. If the data fit a smooth curve, the plotted points 

as shown could be used for defining the magnitude and frequency of floods at that point, but 

this practice is n,ot recommended. It is considered more desirable to use the composite curve 

because it is based on the combined records of several stations. It should be noted that the 

discharge .of the highest flood of record seldom plots on the curve because its recurrence 

interval is, in general, considerably greater than that to which it is plotted. 
34 FLOODS I N -VffiSTRRN WASHINGTON 

KLICKITAT RIVER BASIN 

r . . . -

(l) Klickitat River above VJest Fork, riear Glenwood, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46015 1 40", long. 12iOl4 1 30'i, inS! sec. 18, T. 9 N., R. 13 E,, 1! mi upstream from 

West Fork and 17 mi north of Glenwood; 

nrainage area.--151 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 2,600 cfs and extended by 

' logarithmic plotting; 

Remarks.~-No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage ater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1945 May 4', 1945 2.93 1,300 1949 May 15, 1949 4.00 2,800 

1946 May 17, 1946 3.28 1,710 

1947 Dec. 15,' 1946 3.21 1,600 

1950 June 5, 1950 3.44 1,960 

1951 May ll, 1951 3.75 2,420 

1948 May 27, 1948 4.28 3 ,28.0 

(2) Klickitat River near Glenwood, Wash. 

Locatiori.--Lat 46005 1 30", long. 121015 1 30", in SEt s ec. 14, T. 7 N., R. 12 E., half a mile downstream from Dairy Creek, 5 mi north of Glenwood, and 7 mi upstream from Trout Creek. 

Drainage area.--360 sq mi. 

Gage. --Non recording gage read once daily prior to July 19, Hno; recording gage thereafter. 

Datum of gage is 1,703 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (since July 1934). 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 4,300 cfs and extended on 

basis of velocity-area studies. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversions at flood stage. No regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 'l ater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(:r.t) (cfs) 

1910 Nov. 24, 1909 5.20 6,250. 1934 Dec. 22, 1933 6.9 9,870 

1911 June l, 1911 2.68 2,910 Change in datum 

1912 May 15, 1912 2.87 2,790 

1913 June 3, 1913 3,33 3,310 

1935 Nov. 6, 1934 3.62 2,680 

1936 May 14, 1936 4.08 3,070 

1914 Jan. 7, 1914 2.93 2,890 1937 June 21, 1937 3.96 2,390 

1915 Apr. 3, 1915 2.62 2,200 

1916 June 18, 1916 3.47 4,620 

1917 June 9, 1917 2.9 3,300 

1938 May 27, 1938 5.43 3,960 

1939 May 16, 1939 4.26 2,140 

1940 May 10, 1940 4.65 2,040 

1918 Dec. 29, 1917 4.2 6,200 1941 Apr, 1, 1941 4.19 1,540 

1919 Jan. 23, 1919 4.26 4,600 1942 Dec. 3, 1941 4.98 2,070 

1920 May 17, 1920 2.58 1,810 1943 M~y 25, 1943 5.96 3,280 

1944 May 8, 1944 4.23 1,220 

1926 Apr. 18, 1926 2.99 1,750 1945 May 4, 1945 5.41 2,380 

1946 May 19, 1946 6.05 3,210 

1929 May 24, 1929 3.80 2,560 1947 Dec. 14, 1946 6.33 3,970 

1930 Apr. 23, 1930 2.92 1,520 

1931 May 2, 1931 3.77 2,200 1948 May 26, 1948 7.01 4,710 

1932 May - 1932 4.09 2,700 1949 May 15, 1949 6.58 3,970 

1933 June 15, 1933 4.76 3,950 1950 June 5, 1950 6.26 3,410 

1951 May 11, 195i 6.44 3,690 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS. 

KLICKITAT RIVER BASIN 

(3) Klickitat River near Pitt, ~ash. 

Location.--Lat 45°45 1 , long. 120°12 1 , in swt sec. 8, T. 3 N., R. 13 E., 3! mi south of Pitt, 5 

mi upstrea."'Tl. from Sil vias Creek and 7 mi upstream from mouth at Lyle. 

Drainage area.--1,170 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage read twice daily prior to August 1935; recording gage thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 11,200 cfs and extended 

on basis of velocity-area studies. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversions at flood stage. No regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Via ter Gage Hater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1910 Mar. 2, 1910 8.7 10,600 1938 Dec. 30, 1937 10.80 14,600 

1911 June 2, 1911 4.0 3,610 1939 Feb. 15, 1939 5.86 3,080 

Change in datum 

1940 Feb. 28, 1940 8.07 7,330 

1941 Jan. 18, 1941 5.70 2,870 

1929 May 24, 1929 3.68 3,010 1942 Feb. 4, 1942 6.84 4,630 

1930 Feb. 20, 1930 5.15 5,100 

1931 Mar. 31, 1931 10.3 13,600 1943 Mar. 31, 1943 10.10 12,900 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 6.06 7,390 1944 Feb. 6, 1944 5.08 2,150 

1933 June 9, 1933 4.66' 5,220 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945, 5.93 2,940 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 9.15 10,600 

1934 Dec. 22, 1933 12.50 21,000 1947 Dec. 14, 1946 8.04 7,660 

1935 Dec. 21, 1934 5.85 5,830 

Change in datum 1948 Jan. 7, 1948 10.34 13.,900 

1936 Jan. 12, 19361 7.05 4,650 

1937 Apr. 15, 1937 7.55 5,630 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 10.90 15,300 

1950 Feb. 27, 1950 8.81 9,620 

1951 Feb. ll, 1951 9.53 12,500 

WHITE SALMON RIVER BASIN 

(4) White SaL"'Tlon River at Husum, Wash. 

35 

Location.--Lat 45°47 1 5011 , long. 121029 11511 , in SWt sec. 30, T. 4 N., R. ll E., at Husum, 500ft 

upstream from Rattlesnake Creek. 

Drainage area.--300 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage read once daily prior to November 1, 1919 supplemented by recording 

gage for short periods. Recording gage after 1919. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 4,500 cfs and extended or 

basis of velocity-area studies. 

Remark-s.--Negligible diversions at flood stage. No regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1910 Nov. 24, 1909 7.65 4,340 1931 Apr. l, 1931 7.10 4,720 

1911 Nov. 22, 1910 5.95 2,840 

1912 Feb~ 17, 1912 5.85 2,760 

1932 Mar. 19, 1932 4.90 2,330 

1933 June 9, 1933 6.23 3,660 

1913 June 2, 1913 5.60 2,070 

1914 Jan. 6, 1914 6.32 2,370 

1934 Dec. 22, 1933 11.0 10,800 

1935 Dec. 21, 1934 5.17 2,770 

1915 Apr. 3, 1915 5.60 2,260 1936 May 5, 1936 4.61 2,180 

1916 June 18, 1"916 6.60 3,200 

191'7 May 29, 191'7 5.55 2,180 

193'7 Apr. 15, 1937 5.51 3,070 

1938 Dec. 30, 1937 7.36 5,3'70 

1918 Dec. 29, 1917 10.0 7,500 

1919 Jan. 23, 1919 6.90 5,000 

1939 Feb. 15, 1939, 3.30 1,240 

1940 Mar. 1, 1940 4.71 2,180 

Change in datum 1941 May 18, 1941 3.49 1,280 

1930 Feb. 20, 19301 4.91 2,410 
36 FLOODS IN VffiSTERN WASHINQTON 

WHITE SALMON RIVER BASIN 

(5) White Salmon River near Underwood, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 45045 100", long. 121°31'30", in NW-i sec. 14, T. 3 N., R. 10 E., 1,000 ft downstream from Northwestern Electric Company's Condit power plant and 2 mi north of Underwood 

and mouth. 

Drainage area.--384 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording . 

. Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 5,800 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plo.tting. 

Remarks.-•On basis of records for station at Husum the peak of pecember 1933 may have been 12,000 

to 15,000 cfs near Underwood. Negligible diversions at flood stage. Regulation by power · plant possibly effects lower peaks. 

Annual flood peaks 

RecurWater Gage renee year Date height Discharge Order interval 

(ft) (cfs) (M) (E) 

1916 Mar. 21, 1916 5.0 4,100 20 2.05 

1917 June 9, 1917 3.0 2,130 38 1.08 

1918 Dec. 29, 1917 9.5 9,700 2 20.50 

1919 Jan. 23, 1919 7.45 5,800 11 3.73 

1920 Jan. 26, 1920 5.83 3,820 23 1.78 

1921 Mar. 1 8 , 1921 5.98 4,300 18 2.28 

1922 Dec. 1, 1921 5.67 3,930 21 1.95 

1923 Jan. 7, 1923 8.0 6,800 6 6.83 

1924 Feb. 1, 1924 5.10 3,060 33 1.24 

1925 Feb. 3, 1925 6.8 5,190 15 2.73 

1926 Feb. 6, 1926 4.75 2,780 35 1.17 

1927 Feb. 22, 1927 6.25 4 , .410 17 2.41 

1928 Nov. 25, 1927 6.90 5,320 12 3.42 

1929 May 3, 1929 4.77 2,720 36 1.14 

1930 Feb. 20, 1930 5.15 3,220 30 1.37 

1934 Dec. 22, 1933 - 12,000 1 41.00 

Change in datum 

1936 May 18, 1936 6.90 3,490 27 1.52' 

1937 Apr. 15, 1937 7.47 4,210 19 2.16 

1938 Dec. 29, 1937 9.05 7,300 3 13.67 

1939 Feb. 15, 1939 5.65 2,26b 37 1.11 

1940 Feb. 28, 1940 6.91 3,920 22 1.86 

1941 Jan. 19, 1941 5.09 1,750 39 1.05 . 1942 Dec. 19, 1941 6.81 3,790 24 1.71 

1943 Mar. 31, 1943 8.31 6,000 9 4.56 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 5.10 1,720 40 1.02 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945 6.49 3,440 28 1.46 

1946 Dec. 29, l945 7.73 5,280 13 3.15 

1947 Dec. 13, 1946 8.68 6,910 5 8,20 

1948 Jan. 7, 1948 8.40 6,430 7 5.86 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 8.84 7,200 4 10.25 

1950 Feb. 24, 1950 7.69 5,260 14 2.93 

1951 Feb. 11, 1951 8.26 6,190 8 5.12 
'g 

0 

0 

~ 12,000 

H 

Q) 

P< 

~10,000 

Q) 

G-; 

0 

•r-1 

'§ 8,000 0 

s:: 

or-1 

CD~ 6,000 bD 

H 

ell 

.£1 

0 

rn 

•r-1 

~ 4,000 

2,000 

0 

r--rl.Ol 

GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

WliiTE SALMON RIVER BASIN 

- -rl.l 1.2 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 100 

Recurrence interya~ iD years 

Figure ll. --Frequency of annual floods, White Salmon River near Underwood, Wash. 

LITTLE WHITE SALMON RIVER BASIN 

( 6) Little Vlliite Salmon River at Willard, Wash. 

37 

200 

Location.--Lat 45047 1 00", long. 121°37 1 30n, in N1Nt sec. 1, T. 3 N., R. 9 E., a quarter of a mile 

downstream from Lava Creek, at Willard. 

Drainage area.--117 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 2,630 cfs and extended by logarit~~ic plotting; 

Remarks.--Negligible diversions at flood stage. No regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

VIa ter Gage Flater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945 9.46 2,010 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 8.80 3,200 

1947 Dec. 15, 1946 9.50 4,140 

1948 Jan. 7, 1948 8.68 3,070 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 8.55 2,020 

P-950 Feb. 24, 1950 8.32 2,580 

P-951 Feb. 11, 1951 8.34 2,670 
38 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

WIND RIVER BASIN 

(7) Wind River above Trout Creek, near Carson, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 45048 1 30", long. 121°54 130", in NE-f sec, 26, T. 4 N., R. 7 E., three-quarters of a 

mile upstream from mouth of Trout Creek and 7 mi northwest of Carson. 

Drainage area.--108 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage read twice daily. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 5,800 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion above station which is not returned to stream. Negligib~e regulation by 

fish hatchery dam above station. 

Arm.ual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945 15.5 8,880 

1.946 Dec. 28, 1945 12.8 5,900 

1947 Dec, 13, 1946 13.7 6,870 

1948 Jan. 7, 1948 12.20 5,300 

1949 May 2, 1949 9.66 3,020 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 11.8 4,770 

1951 Feb. 11, 1951 11.0 4,050 

(8) Wind River near Carson, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 45044 1 10", long. 121°48 1 10", in SWi:NEt sec, 21, T. 3 N., R. 8 .E., three-quarters 

ofamile upstream from Little Wind River, l mi northeast of Carson, and 2i mi upstream from 

mouth, Discharge measurements made just downstream from mouth of Little Wind River. 

Drainage area.--225 sq mi, including that of Little Wind River. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 9,3.00 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No.diversion. Negligible regulation from Forest Service power plant on Trout Creek. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1935 Dec. 21, 1934 14.6 8,190 

1936 Jan. 12, · 1936 13.96 7,590 

1937 Apr. 14, 1937 15.72 9,360 

1938 Dec. 29, 1937 17.30 16,700 

1939 Feb. 15, 1939 11.90 7,300 

1940 Feb. 6, 1940 13.7 10,100 

1941 Nov. 29, 1940 10.94 5,860 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 15.99 14,200 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 16.58 .15,300 

1944 Feb, 6, 1944 10.18 4,910 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945 16.62 15,300 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 16.02 14,200 

1947 Dec. 13, 1946 15.92 15,000 

1948 Jan. 7, 1948 15.26 13,500 

1949 Feb, 17, 1949 13.43 9,460 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 14.07 10,800 

1951 Feb, 11, 1951 13.32 9,300 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 39 

WASHOUGAL RIVER BASIN 

(9) Hashc~ugal River near Washougal, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 45037'2011

1 long. 122°18'-00", in SE~ sec. 27, T. 2 N., R. 4 E., half amlle upstream 

from Cougar Creek and 5i mi ·northeast of Washougal. 

Drainage area.--108 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording read twice daily. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 5,400 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--Ho diversion or regu2:_ation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 14.40 22,100 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 13.10 18,200 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 14.20 21;500 

1948 Feb. 22, 1948 ' 9.80 9,720 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 15.5 27,100 

1950 Feb. 24, 1950 15.5 27,100 

1951 Dec. 23, 1950 10.2 10,100 

LAKE RIVER BASIN 

(10) Salmon Creek near Battle Ground, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 45046'25 11 , long. 122°26'3511 , in NE:-t sw-t sec. 4, T. 3 N., R.- 3 E., 100ft upstream 

from county highway bridge, 150 ft downstream from Rock Creek, and 4 mi east of Battle Ground. 

Drainage area.-~18.3 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage read once daily. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 520 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or reg ation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1944 Feb. 6, 1944 1.66 330 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 1.80 395 

1946 Nov. 27, 1945 2.54 910 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 2.80 1,200 

1948 Jan. 7, 1948 2.17 728 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 3.10 1,440 

1950 Jan. 21, 1950 2.20 ·709 

1951 Dec. 23, 1950 3.10 1,340 
40 FLOODS IN VillSTERN WASHINGTON 

LEWIS RIVER BAS IN 

· (11) Lewis River above Muddy River, near Cougar, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46°03 13011 , long. 121°59 1 0011 , in SW~ sec. 30, T. 7 N., R. 7 E., 2 mi above mouth 

of Muddy River and 15 mi east of Cougar. 

Drainage area.--227 sq mi (revised). 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 4,000 cfs and extended by 

velocity-area studies. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1928 Nov. 25, 1927 8.97 14,500 

1929 May 22, 19.29 4.42 3,630 

1930 Feb. · 2o, 1930 5~72 6,120 

1931 Mar. 31, 1931 7.87 11,600 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 6.10 7,100 

1933. June 9, 1933 7.42 10,300 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 13.2 27,000 

(12) Lewis River near Cougar, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46003 1 3011 , long. 122°12 150", in SEt sec. 29, T. 7 N., R. 5 E., 1 mi downstream 

from Swift Creek and 4 mi e.ast of Cougar. 

Drainage area.--481 sq mi~ 

Gage. --Recording. Datum of gage is 576.4 ft above mean sea level (from river-profile survey). 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 17,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulatio~ •. 

Annual flood peaks 

1Water 

year 

1925 

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

Feb. 

Feb. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Feb. 

June 

Dec. 

Date 

3, 

7, 

16, 

25, 

10, 

7, 

31, 

26, 

9, 

21, 

1925 

1926 

1926 

1927 

1928 

1930 

1931 

1932 

1933 

1933 

RecurGage Dis- renee height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) {M) val 

{yr) 

10.3 

6.25 

7.50 

11.3 

5.1 

6.15 

9.50 

7.84 

8.44 

15.7 

23,100 

11,100 

14,800 

27,900 

8,200 

11,100 

20,400 

15,000 

16,700 

54,400 

14 

35 

27 

8 

39 

34 

19 

25 

23 

1 

2.93 

1.17 

1.52 

5.12 

L05 

1.21 

2.16 

1.64 

1.78 

41.00 

1935 Nov. 5, 1934 9.33 21,800 

Change in datum 

1936 Jan. 12, 19361 9.24 112,300 

1937 Apr. 14, 1937 12.0S 24,400 

16 

31 

12 

2.56 

1.32 

3.42 

vVater 

. year 

1938 

1939 

1940 

1941 

1942 

1943 

1944 

1945 

1946 

1947 

1948 

1949 

1950 

1951 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Dec. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Feb. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

OcL 

May 

Nov. 

Feb. 

... RecurGage Dis- renee 

Date height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) (M) val 

(yr) 

29, 1937 12.96 30,200 5 8.20 

2, 1939 ·7.90 9,440 37 1.11 

15, 1939 10.78 20,200 20 2.05 

29, 1940 9.00 11,800 33 1.24 

19, 1941 11.35 22,700 15 2.73 

23, 1942 12.56 30,300 4 10.25 

3, 1943 7.61 8,690 38 1.08 

7, 1945 11.42 24,300 13 3.15 

28, 1945 - 30,000 6 6.83 

13, 1946 12.98 32,300 2 20.50 

17, 1947 9.30 15,000 26 1.58 

2, 1949 8.57 12,200 32 1.28 

27, 1949 11.88 26,800 9 4.56 

11, 1951 11.42 24 500 11 3.73 
---

___ 

·15,000--

'd 40,000 

§ --- - {) 

Q) 

[') 

~ 35,000 

Q) 

p. 

.p 

Q) --

~~ 30,000 

t> 

..-1 

§ 

t> 25,000 

s:: 

•ri 

Q).., 

bO 

- -

~20, 000 

,q - --

{) 

Ul 

..-1 

A 15,000 f--

10,000 

5,000 

1.01 

GAGING-STATION RECORDS 41 

LEWIS RIVER BAS IN 

: rt -t- - --

--- ;;:: -

l.l 1.2 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 

Recurrehce interva~ in years 

20 30 40 50 100 200 

Figure 12.--Frequency of annual f loods, Lewis River near Cougar, Wash. 

(13) Lewis Rive r at Ariel , Wash_. 

Location.--Lat 45°57 1 1011 , long. 122033'4511 , in NVIfi-NE% sec. 4, T. 5 N. , R. 2 E ., at Ariel, half a 

mile downstream from Ariel Dam and p j wer plant and 3 mi upstre~ from Cedar Creek. 

Drainage area.--731 sq mi. 1 

Gage.--Honrecording gage read once or twice daily prior to April 21, 1930; recording gage 

thereafter. Datum of gage is 44 ft dbove mean sea level, unadjusted. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 56,000 cfs and extended 

by computation of flow over dam. 

Remarks.--No diversions. Lower peaks possibly regulated by Lake Me rwin Reservoir on Lewis River 

(usable capacity 246,000 acre-ft) compieted in 1931. Records for 1912-23 computed on basis 

of records for Lewis River near Amboy, Wash. Peak flow of December 22, 1933, partially 

caused by failure of natural dam abo~e Dry Creek. 
42 

Water 

year 

1912 Jan. 

1913 Nov. 

1914 Jan. 

1915 Apr. 

1916 Dec. 

1917 Apr. 

1918 Dec. 

1919 Jan. 

1920 Dec. 

1921 ·Dec. 

1922 Dec. 

1923 Jan. 

1924 Dec. 

1925 Feb. 

1926 Feb. 

1927 Nov. 

1928 Nov. 

1929 Nov. 

1930 Feb. 

--

Date . 

13, 

13, 

5, 

2, 

21, 

8, 

18, 

23, 

24, 

30, 

12, 

7, 

6, 

3, 

6, 

29, 

25, 

10, 

14, 

FLOODS IN WESTERN YfASHINGTON 

LEWIS RIVER BAS IN 

(13) L~wis River ~t Ariel, Wash.--Continued 

Annual flood peaks 

Gage Vater 

height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date 

1912 - 34,200 1931 Apr. 1, 1931 

1912 - 25,700 1932 Feb. 26, 1932 

1914 - 40,000 1933 Jan. 8, 1933 

1915 - 19,500 1934 Dec. 22, 1933 

1915 - 43;700 1935 Nov. 6, 1934 

1917 - 12,800 1936 Jan. 12, 1936 

1917 - 63,500 1937 ' Apr. 14, 1937 

1919 - 44,100 

l919 - . 26,100 

1920 - 46;600 

1938 Dec. 30, 1937 

1939 Feb. 15, .1939 

1940 Feb. 6, 1940 

1921 - 39,400 1941 Nov. 29, 1940 

J-923 - 57,700 1942 Dec. 19, 1941 

1920 10.7 29,100 1943 Nov. 23, 1942 

1925 14.85 42,600 1944 Feb. 6, 1944 

1926 9.79 26,200 1945 Feb. 7, 1945 

1926 10.3 . 27,800 1946 Dec. 28, 1945 

1927 19.5 59,000 1947 Dec. 13, 1946 

1928_ §;06 14',100 1948 Jan. 7, 1948 

1930 8.6 20,600 1949 Feb. 23, 1949 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 

Change rn datum 

1951 Dec. 23, 1950 

(14) Swift Creek .near Cougar~ Wash. 

Gage 

height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

14.20 30,600 

16.92 41,700 

15.25 34,700 

35.0 129,000 

16.13 38,000 

15.65 34,100 

18.56 49,100 

21.3 61,500 

12.7 24,600 

15.80 36,900 

13 .• 90 29,200 

17.40 _40,600 

21.66 57,600 

10.93 18,700 

18.08 42,800 

17.23 39,500 

24.04 67,300 

14.75 30,800 

13.35 26,200 

19.5 49,000 

17.3 40,200 

Location.--Lat 46003 150", long. 122°11'3011 , in NWt sec. 28, T. 7 N., R. 5 E., an eighth of a mile 

above mouth, li mi east of Peterson's ranch, · and 5 mi east of Cougar. 

Drainage area.--26 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 510 cfs and extended by 

velocity-area studies. 

Remarks. --No diversion or regulation. · 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1925 Feb. 3, 1925 2.98 1,470 . 1926 Dec. 23, 1925 2.46 1,060 

1927 Oct. 16, 1926 3.10 1,380 

1928 Nov. 24, 1927 3.7 1,900 

1929 Dec. 10, 1928 1.<;17 537 

1930 Dec .• 14, 1929 2.1 620 

1931 Mar. -31, 1931 3.10 1,450 ' 1932 Feb. 26, 1932 2.54 965 

1933 Nov; 13, 1932 2.68 1,13p 
GAGilTG":'STATION RECORDS 43 

LEWIS RIVER BASIN 

(15) Canyon Creek near Amboy, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 45°56 1 , long. 122°20 1 in SW% sec. 4, T. 5 N., R. 4 E., at bridge, 2 mi above 

mouth, and 6 mi northwest ofA.mboy. 

Drainage area.--62 sq mi. 

Gage~--Nonreco~ing gage read once daily prior to September 1924; recording thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 7,000 cfs and extended by 

velocity-area stu~ies. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regul.ation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1923 Dec. 24, 1922 11.3 9,500 

1924 Dec. 6, 1923 7.6 4,790 

19.25 Feb. 3, 1925 8.3 5,560 

1926 Feb. 6, 1926 7.93 5,120 

1927 Feb. 1, 1927 8.55 5,890 

1928 Nov. 25, 1927 11.6 10,000 

1929 Apr. 14, 1929 6.10 3,140 

1930 Feb. 7, 1930 7.16 4,350 

1931 Mar. 31, 1931 11.18 9,370 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 8.06 5,340 

1933 Jan. 8, 1933 - 4,600 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 12.6 11,700 

(16) East ~ork Lewis River near Heisson, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 45°50 1 , long. 1220128 1 , inN~ sec~ 17, T. 4 N., R. 3 E., just upstream from Basket 

Creek, 1~ mi northeast of Heisson and 20 mi upstream from mouth. 

Drainage area.--125 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.~-Defined by cu~rent-meter measurements below 12,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 1Nater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1930 Dec. 14, 1929 7.96 6,000 1941 Nov; 29, 1940 8.81 7,670 

1931 Mar. 31, 1931 12.2 15,500 1942 Dec. 19, 1941 9.89 9,920 

1932 Mar. 5, 1932 9.3 8,740 1943 Nov. 23, 1942 11.17 12,800 

1933 Jan. 8, 1933 8.9 7,860 1944 Feb. 6, 1944 7.09 4,730 

1934 Dec. 22, 1933 12.3 15,600 1945 Feb. 7, 1945 9.76 9,710 

1935 Dec. 21, 1934 10.18 10,500 1946 Nov. 27, 1945 9.7 9,500 

1936 Jan. 12, 1936 8.85 7,670 1947 Dec. 11, 1946 10.84 11,900 

1937 Dec. 23, 1936 9.56 9,260 1948 Jan. 7, 1948 8.65 7,320 

1938 Dec. 29, 1937 10.60 11,400 1949 Feb. 17, 1949 11.72 14,000 

1939 Feb. 14, 1939 9.22 8,450 1950 Feb. 24, 1950 9.53 8,990 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 8.80 7,670 1951 Feb. 11, 1951 7.66 5,660 
44 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

KALAMA RIVER BASIN 

(17) Kal~a River below Italian Creek, near Kalama, VJash. 

Location.'--Lat 46°02 1 30", long. 122'?49'00", in NEtswt $ec. 33, T. 7 N., R. l W., 2i mi ·northeast 

of Kalama, 4 mi upstream from mouth, and 5 mi doWnstream from Italian Creek. 

Drainage area.--201 sq mi. 

Gage. --1Jonrecording gage read twice daily. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 6,700 cfs and. extended oy logarithmic plotting. \ 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

--Kalama River near Kalama, Wash. 

Records for l917-3i computed on basis of records for 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1917 Jan. 5, 1917 - 4,800 

1918 Dec. 18, 1917 - 12,800 

1919 Jan. 23, 1919 - 11,700 

1920 Dec. 24, 1919 - 6,290 

1921 Mar. 17, 1921 - 11,400 

1922 Nov. 21, 1921 - 7,100 

1923 Jan. 6, 1923 - 13,400 

1924 Jan. 31, 1924 - 7,590 

1925 Feb. 3 ' 1925 - 10,000 

1926 Dec. 21, 1925 - 6,680 

1927 Feb. l, 1927 - 7,170 

1928 Nov~ 25, 1927 - 14,400 

1929 Dec. 10, 1928 - 5,680 

1930 Dec. 14, 1929 - 7,260 

1931 Mar. 31, 1931 - 11,900 

1947 Dec. 13, 1946 13.40 14,400 

i948 Jan. 7, 1948 9~10 7,160 

1949 Feb: 17, 1949 10.42 9,140 

1950 Feb. 24, 1950 ll.QO 11,600 

1951 Feb. 11, 1951 10.10 8,660 

COWLITZ RIVER BASIN 

(18) Cowlitz _River ~t Packwood, ash. 

Location.--Lat 46036 140", long. 121040 1 45", in SEt se.c. 16, T. 13 N., R. 9 E., half'amile upstrea'11 

from Skate Creek and half a mile northwest of Packwood. 

Drainage area.--287 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage usually read once_ daily prior to January 1920; recording thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 13,200 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 
Water 

year Date 

1908 Mar. 

1911 Nov. 

1912 Nov. 

1913 June 

1915 :Nov. 

1916 July 

1917 June 

1918 Dec. 

1919 Jan. 

1930 Feb. 

1931 Jan. 

1932 Feb. 

1933 Nov. 

1934 Dec. 

-I-

'g 35 '000 

0 

C) 

(J) 

t~ -

H30,000 

(J) 

p.. 

.p 

(J) 

~25,000 

C) 

ori 

'§ 

0 20,000 

•ri 

<D., 

Q() 

15, 

-

19~ 

3, 

3, 

2, 

18, 

29, 

23, 

20, 

28, 

26, 

13, 

21, 

~ 15, 000 ----+-- .., 

'5 ' ==-r - CI) 

. ori 

~ 

1o,ooo: 

5,000 

0 

l.Ol 

GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

COWLITZ RIVER BASIN 

(18) Cowlitz River at Packwood, Wash.-..:Continued 

Annual flood peaks 

RecurGage Dis- renee Water Gage Disheight charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) (M) val 

year Date height charge 

(ft) (cfs) 

(yr) 

1908 7.0 13,600 - - 1935 Nov. 5, 1934 11.08 26,500 

1936 June 7, 1936 8.45 9,560 

1910 8.5 17,600 - - 1911 7.35 13,200 21 1.95 

1937 Apr. 14, 1937 - 9,220 

1938 Apr. 18, 1938 10.49 15,700 

1913 4.8 6,520 39 1.05 1939 May 29, 1939 9.03 11,700 

1914 7.08 13,400 20 2.05 1940 Dec. 15, 1939 8.72 9,420 

1916 7.10 11,600 24 1.71 1941 Nov. 29, 1940 8.58 9,150 

1917 5.85 8,440 36 1.14 1942 Dec. 2, 1941 8.87 10,100 

1917 10.1 22,700 3 13.67 1945 Nov. 23, 1942 11.26 20,300 

1919 - 16,000 13 3.15 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 10.04 14,100 

Change in datum 1945 Jan. 7, 1945 10.31 14,100 

1930 6.07 5,070 40 1.02 1946 Dec. 28, 1945 10.04 14,900 

1931 6.88 7,440 38 1.08 1947 Dec. 11, 1946 10.77 19,000 

1932 9.88 16,100 12 3.42 1948 Oct. 19, 1947 11.19 18,800 

1932 9.87 20,500 5 8.20 1949 May 13, 1949 8 .48 9,850 

1933 .13.0 36,600 l 41.00 1950 Nov. 27, 1949 11.98 21,400 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 9.98 13,100 

--

1.1 1.2 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 

Recurrence interval,in years 

Figure 13.--:::;'requency of annual floods, Cowlitz River at Packwood, Wash. 

45 

Recurrenee 

Order inter-

(M) val 

(yr) 

2 20.50 

31 1.32 

33 1.24 

15 2.73 

23 1.78 

32 1.28 

34 1.21 

28 1.46 

6 6.83 

18 2.28 

19 2.16 

16 2.56 

9 4.56 

10 4.10 

29 1.41 

4 10.25 

22 1.86 

100 200 
46 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

COWLITZ RIVER BASIN 

(19) Cowlitz River near Mayfield, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46°30 1 4011 , long. 122036 1 50", in NEt sec. 24, T. 12 N., R. 1 E., 1 mi upstream from 

Mill Creek, 2 mi downstream from ~Vinston Creek, and 2t mi west of Mayfield. 

Drainage area.--1,400 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is 226.6 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 12,400 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Records for 1914-17, 1927-3~ and 1934 computed on basis of 

recqrds f()r Cowlitz River near Mossyrock, Wash. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

:Vater Gage 

1ear Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1914 Jan. 7, 1914 - ~5,700 1938 Dec. 30, 1937 19~91 36,100 

1915 Apr. 3, 1915 - 18,500 . 1916 June 18, 1916 - 25,400 

1939 Feb. 15, 1939 15.45 19,400 

1940 Dec. 17, 1939 17.26 25,900 

1917 June 19, 1917 - 18,100 1941 Nov. 29, 1940 14.96 17,700 

1942 Dec. 20, 1941 19.26 33,600 

1927 Dec, 2, 1926 - 23,500 

1928 Nov. 26, 1927 - 35,500 

1929 May 24, 1929 - 17,700 

1930 Feb. 20, 1930 -· 19,900 

1943 Nov. 24, 1942 21.50 42,600 

1944 Dec. 4, 1943 16.42 22,500 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945 18.22 29,200 

1931 Apr. 1, 1931 - 32,500 1946 Dec. 29, 1945 20.33 37,600 

1947 Dec. 13, 1946 24.75 58,000 

1932 Feb. 27, 1932 - 35,500 

1948 Oct. 20, 1947 17.70 27,100 

1934 Dec. 22, 1933 - 105,000 1949 May 13, 1949 16.97 24,400 

1935 Nov. 6, 1934 20.1 36,900 1950 Nov. 28, 1949 19.52 35,000 

1936 June 8, 1936 16.57 23,400 1951 Feb. 12, 1951 22.47 49,000 

1937 Apr. 15, 1937 18.32 29,900 

(20) Cowlitz River at Castle Rock, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46016 1 3011 , long. 122055 1 0011 , in SEt sec. 10, T. 9 N.,. R. 2 ·w ., at highwayqridge 

in Castle Rock, 2t mi downstream from Toutle River and 14 mi upstream from mouth. 

Drainage area.--2,240 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage read twice daily prior to June 1934; recording gage thereafter. Datum 

of recording gage is 19.73 f't above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 79,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

Nater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(f't) (cfs) 

1928 Nov. 25, 1927 13.95 74,000 1939 Feb. 15, 1939 17.31 43,600 

1929 May 25, 1929 7.31 21, 8 00 1940 Dec. 16, 1939 17.00 41,900 

1930 Feb. 8, 1930 8,80 30,900 1941 Nov. 29, 1940 14.07 26,400 

1931 Apr. 1, 1931 13.15 66,800 1942 Dec. 20, 1941 19.74 58,100 

1932 Mar. 6, 1932 11.63 52,800 1943 Nov. 24, 1942 20.10 60,500 

1933 Nov. 14, 1932 11.70 53,600 1944 Dec. 4, 1943 16.24 37,100 

1934 Dec. 23, 1933 26.6 139,000 1945 Feb. 8, 1945 17.67 45,300 

Change in datum 1946 Dec. 29' 1945 19.91 54,700 

1935 Nov. 6, 1934 20.39 61,800 1947 Dec. 13, 1946 24.47 85,100 

1936 Jan. 12, 1936 18.12 48,200 1948 Oct. 20, 1947 17.18 38,500 

1937 Apr. 15, 1937 18.24 48,800 

1938 Dec. 3'0, 1937 20.38 62,900 

l949 Feb. 17, 1949 19.39 51,500 

l950 Nov. 28, 1949 19.94 54,600 

fl951 Feb, 12, 1951 21.90 67,400 
GAG IlJG-STATION RECORDS 47 

COVJLITZ .RIVER BASIN 

(21) Clear Fork Cowlitz River near Packwood, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46040 1 5011 , long. 121034 1 3011 , in NEt sec. 29, T. 14 N., R. 10 E., three-quarters of 

a :nile above mouth and 7 mi northeast of Packwood. 

Drainage area.--56 sq mi. 

Gage.--Honrecording gage prior to 1912; recording gage thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 1,300 cfs and extended by 

velocity-area studies. 

Remarks.--Ho regulation. Negligible diversion at flood stages. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Nater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1908 Mar. 15, 1908 - 2,040 1934 Dec. 22, 1933 11.7 8,030 

1909 June 2, 1909 - 1,190 1935 Oct. 25, 1934 7.53 2,900 

1910 Nov. 23, 1909 - 3,500 1936 June 7, 1936 6.0 1,150 

1911 Nov. 22, 1910 - 1,860 1937 Apr. 14, 1937 5.96 1,410 

1912 Nov. 19, 1911 - 2,350 1938 Apr. 18, 1938 7.11 2,600 

1931 Mar. 31, 1931 5.38 1,050 1939 May 29, 1939 5.43 1,160 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 6.8 2,270 

1933 Nov. 13, 1932 7.44 2,830 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 5.80 1,410 .1941 Nov. 29, 1940 6.02 1,610 

(22) Lake Creek near Packwood, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46°35 15511 , long. 121034 115", in sec. 21, T. 13 N., R. 10 E., 500ft downstream 

from outlet of Packwood Lake and 6 mi east of Packwood. 

Drainage area.--18.8 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage prior to August 1918; recording thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 380 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion. Natural regulation by Packwood Lake. Discharge of flood of December 18, 

1917, was estimated. 

Annual flood peaks 

Recur- RecurWater Gage Dis- renee Vater Gage Dis- renee year Date height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) (M) val 

year · Date height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) {M) val 

(yr) (yr) 

1912 Nov. 19, 1911 - 580 7 5.86 1932 June 15, 1932 3.44 366 27 . 1.52 

1913 June 3, 1913 - 480 19 2.16 1933 Nov. 17, 1932 4.62 815 '3 13.67 

1914 Jan. 7, 1914 - 242 33 1.24 

1915 Nov. ll, 1914 - 262 32 1.28 

1916 June 18, 1916 - 595 6 6.83 

1934 Dec. 22, 1933 5.9 1,400 2 20.50 

1935 Nov. 5, 1934 3.87 517 16 2.56 

1936 June 8, 1936 3.94 512 17 2.41 

1917 June 17, 1917 - 510 18 2.28 

1918 Dec. 18, 1917 6.0 1,570 l 41.00 

1919 Jan. 23, 1919 3.2 419 22 1.86 

1920 July 5, 1920 2.5 272 31 1.32 

1921 June 7, 1921 3.1 452 20 2.05 

1937 June 21, 1937 3.81 529 13 3.15 

1938 Apr. 19, 1938 3.60 423 21 1.95 

1939 May 29, 1939 3.81 365 28 1.46 

1940 Dec. 17, 1939 2.94 234 36 1.14 

1941 May 25, 1941 2.67 157 40 1.02 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 3.88 631 5 8.20 1942 Dec. 20, 1941 3.22 308 29 1.41 

1923 Jan. 9, 1923 3.55 521 15 2.73 

1924 May 14, 1924 2.42 278 30 1.37 1950 Nov. 27, 1949 4.14 548 9 4.56 

1951 Feb. 11, 1951 4.16 548 10 4.10 

1931 May 14, 1931 3.23 241 34: 1.21 
48 

1--

rgl,400 

0 

~ ~-~-. 0) 

Hl, 200 Q) 

0. 

..!-) f--· 

Q) 

~1,000 

t> 

orl 

'§ 

t> 1-

800 

1--1-

1- ' ·-

600 1-- - - 1----+-- . 

400 t ' 

~r ; 01----- ' 

1.01 

++ 

f1-

1.1 1.2 1.5 2 

FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

CO'!VLITZ RIVER BASI_N 

3 4 

·ff-· r- r- t--

1-- -· .. -1-- -·· -· 

HI H- _ ++-_+1_-t-1--+-1--t-t-·t-H 

·t-::- ~ - -

t- +-

t- . -

5 6 8 10 

Recurrence interva~ in years 

I+ 

20 30 40 50 

Figure 14. --Frequency of annual floods, Lake Creek near Packwood, ·aash. 

(23) Johnson Creek near Packwood, Wash. 

100 

Location.--Lat 46°34 1 30", long.121°42 1 00", in NEt sec. 32, T. 13 N., R. 9 E., 400ft upstrea.."ll 

from mouth and 3 mi southwest of Packwood. 

Drainage area.--49.6 sq mi. 

Ga~e.--Recording. 

Stag~-discha~relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 710 cfs and extended by 

velocity-area studies. 

Remarks. --No divers ion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

\Vater Gage 'Nater Gage 

year Date heig ht Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1919 Jan. 23, 1919 3.75 2,500 1924 Jan. 31, 1924 2.68 969 

1920 Dec. 24, 1919 2.22 760 

1921 Dec. 23, 1920 3.25 1,560 Change in datum 

1923 Jan. 6, 1923 4.07 2,610 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946:1 7.69 2,990 

1948 May 24, 1948 5.98 1,270 

I+ 

1-

200 
GAGING STATION RECORDS 49 

co·:.rLITZ RIVER BASIN 

(24) Cispus River near Randle, Wash, 

Location.--Lat46°26 1 50", long. 121051 1 3511 , inNW%-sec. 18, -T. llU., R. BE. (unsurveyed), 500 

ft upstream from bridge to Tower Ro~k Ran~er Station, 4 mi downstre~~ from North Fork, and 8 

m.i southeast of Randle. 

Drainage area.--323 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording prior to November 1, 1930; recording thereafter. 

Stage-discharge ' relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 8,500 cfs. 

Remarks.--No diversions or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

RecurWater Gage ' renee 

year Date height Discharge Order interval 

(ft) (cfs) (M) (yr) 

1911 lJov. 10, 1910 6.0 6,400 - - 1930 Feb. 20, 1930 5.75 4,820 29 1.41 

1931 Mar~ 31, 1931 6.58 6,610 23 1.78 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 6.11 5,260 28 1.46 

1933 June 9, 1933 7.64 8,02 0 12 ' 3.42 

1934 Dec. 22_, 1933 12.7 20,000 l 41.00 

1935 Nov. 5, 1934 9.30 11,900 3 13.67 

1936 June 7, 1936 7.36 6,190 25 ·i;64 

1937 Apr. 14, 1937 9.29 11,400 6 6.83 

1938 Dec. 29, 1937 9.36 10,900 7- 5~86 

1939 May 15, 1939 6.1 3,640 33 1.24 

1940 Dec, 16, 1939 7.88 7,120 17 '2.41 

1941 Nov. 29, 1940 5.8,2 3,11C 35 1.17 

1942 Dec. 20, 1941 - 7,500 15 2.73 

1943 Hov. 23, 1942 10.20 13,200 2 20.50 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 5.29 2,460 37 1.11 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945 8.26 8,240 11 3.73 

1946 Dec. 29, 1945 7.69 6,370 20 2.05 

1947 Dec. 14, 1946 9.65 11,500 4 10.25 

1948 May 27, 1948 ' 7 .91 ' 6,650 22 1.86 

1949 May 13, 1949 8.13 7,790 14 2.93 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 7.95 6, 8 50 21 1.95 

1951 Feb. 11, 1951 8.90 8,800 9 4.56 
50 

- ·- 18,000 -- -

16,000 

'd 

s:::: 

---

0 - - 0 - - Q) 

~4,000 ~ 

Q) 

P. - - -- .j..) - ---

~2,000 -- c,_, .::__:: _ 

c:.> 

or! 

.0 

@.o,ooo 

s:::: 

or! 

Q) ... 

}:? 8,000 

aS 

..c: 

c:.> 

0') 

or! 

q 6,000 -

4,000 

2,000 

1.01 

FLOODS IN VI/ESTERN WASHINGTON 

CO':-vLITZ RIVER BASIN 

-

- -+ -

- H- r--

-- i 

H-++++++-+++ +---

-=--- r-- . 

· f--- - ~ 

~ ..... :J-" - - -

1.1 1.2 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 3 10 20 30 40 50 100 

Recurrence interval1 in years 

Fieure 15.--Frequency of annual floods, Cispus River near Randle, Wash. 

(25) Tilton River near Cinebar, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46°34 1 3511 , long. 122031 11511 , in ~: t sec. 26, T. 13 N., R. 2 E., 1,000 ft downstream from Ci~~abar Creek, 2 mi southe ast of Cinebar, and 2~ mi upstream from mouth. 

Drainage area.--158 sq mi. 

Gage.--Record ing. Datum of gage is 397.6 ft above mean sea level (from river-profile survey). 

200 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 3,900 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting.-

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage \!'later Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Dlscharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 11.32 8,090 1947 Dec. -' 1946 - 14,500 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 12.21 9, 8 50 1948 lTov. 7, 1947 10.56 6,800 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 11.78 9,050 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 11.55 8 ,660 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 10.60 7,210 

1950 Feb. 24, 1950 12.63 11,200 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 11.89 9,250 1951 Feb. 9, 1951 12.60 11,200 . 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 51 

CO-JL ITZ RIVER BAS IN 

(26) Toutle River near Silver· Lake, Vlash. 

Location.--Lat 46020 110", long. 122043 1 30", in SE% sec. 19, T. 10 N., R. 1- E., -at highway -bridge 

half a mile downstream from confluence of North and. South Forks ano 5 mi nor.theast of Silver 

Lake. · 

Drainage area.--474 sq mi. I 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage prior to August 1912; recording thereafter. Datum of gage since 1929 

is 407.3 ft above mean sea level (from river-profile survey). 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 17,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 1 

Remark~.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge · 

(ft) (cfs) 

Nater Gage 

year 'Date height Discharge 

(ft) ( cfs) · 

I 

1910 Mar. 2, 1910 11.0. 35,600 

1911 Nov. - 1910 - 20,600 

1936 Jan. 12, 1936 12.15 15,700 

1937 Dec. 22, 1936 13.18 17,400 : 

1912 Jan. 14, 1912 7.0 13,400 1938 Dec. 28, 1937 14.87 20,300 . 

1939 Feb. 15, 1939 11.3 15,400 

Change in datum 1940 Dec. 15, 1939 9.86 12,800 

1920 Jan. 26, 1920 13.0 9,700 

1921 Dec. 30, 1920 17.6 14,700 

1922 Dec. - 1921 16.85 13,800 

1941 Nov. 29, 1940 7.90 .. 9,410 . 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 14.26 21,400 . 

1923 Jan. - 1923 18.9 16,500 1943 Nov. 23, 1942 13.94 20,500 

1944 . Dec. 3, 1943 9.80 12,300 

1930 Dec. 14, 1929 9.3 10,800 

1931 Mar. 31, 1931 14.73 20,000 

1932 Mar. 5, 1932 12.12 15,600 

1945 Feb.· 7~ 1945 11.28 . 14,900 

1946 Dec. 29, 1945 - 16,000 

1933 Dec. 2, 1932 10.77 13,300 1947 Dec. ll, 1946 17.56 29,800 

1934 Dec. 23, 1933 22.7 34,300 1948 Nov. 8, 1947 9.9"2 14,100 

1949 Feb. 17, 1.949 11.56 17,300 

1935 Nov. 5, 1934 14.38 19,500 1950 Feb. 24, 1950 11.53 17,200 

1951 Feb. 11, 1951 11.32 16,800 

ELOKOMIN RIVER BASIN 

(27) Elokomin River near Cathlamet, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46°13 110", long. 123°20'3011 , in SEt sec. 31, T. 9 N., R. 5 W., 2 mi northeast of -

Cathlamet and 4 mi upstream from mouth. 

Drainage area.--66 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is 29.60 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 2,300 cfs ·and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversions at flood stage, no regulation. 

,Annual flood peaks 

!Water Gage 

year Date . height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

fVater Gage 

year Date height D_ischarge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1941 Jan. 17, 1941 8.0 2,800 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 9.13 3,720 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 10.56 5.,120 

1947 Jan.- 25, 1947 10.76 5,320 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 9.81 4,350 1948 Jan. l, 1948 9.34 3,900 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 9.82 4,350 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 10.6 5,020 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 12.66 7,300 

1950 Feb. 24, 1950 12.50" 6,970 

1951 Feb. - 1951 11.2 5;; 900 
52 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

NASELLE RIVER BASIN 

(28) Naselle River near Naselle, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46022 1 2511 , lone;. 123044 1 4511 , in swt sec. 1, T. 10 N., R. 9 w., li mi ups.tream· 

from Salmon Creek and 3! mi east of Naselle. 

Drainage area.--55 sq mi. 

Gage.--IJonrecording gage read twice daily. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 3,800 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks.--Maximum stages are from graphs based on gage readings. No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

:rater Gage I!ater Gage 

year Date ~eic;h,t Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date 1.el,sht Discharce 

(ft) (cfs) 

1930 Dec. 23, 1~2£ 7.3 2,460 

1931 Jan. 23, 1931 -. 7 .8 2,860 

1941 Jan. 17, 1941 9.75 4,360 

1942 Dec. 18, 1941 9.77 4,520 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 10.6 5,030 .1943 Oct. 31, 1942 11.24 5,800 

1933 Nov. 13, 193~ 11.5 6,090 1944 Dec. 3 , 1943 12.4 7,030 

1934 Dec. 9, 1933 13.0 7,440 1945 Mar. 19, 1945 11.9 6,410 

1935 Jan~ 22, 1935 15.9 11,100 1946 Dec. 28, 194~ 10.4 5,060 

1936 Feb·. 27, 1936 11.9 6,210 1947 Dec. 11, 194E 11.25 . 5,800 

1937 Feb. 22, 1937 8.7 3,560 1948 JE'.n. 1, 194E' 9.90 4,620 

1938 l'Jov. 25, 1937 11 .• 4 5,"760 1949 Feb. 22, 194£ 15.2 10,300 . 1939 Feb. 12, 1939 10.8 5,230 1950 Feb. · 24, 195( 10.8 5,600 

1940 Dec. 16, 1939 11.5 5,850 1951 Feb. 9, 1951 11.8 6 500 

NORTH RIVER BASIN 

(29) North River near Raymond, \flash. 

Location.--Lat 46°49 1 , long. 12-3051 1 , in sec. 6, T. 15 H., R. 9 ·.!., 1-!- mi upstrea"ll from Salmon 

-Creek and 10 mi northwe.st of Raymond. 

Drainage are~.-~219 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge re~~ti~.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 10,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 35,000 cfs, December 10, 1933, caused by failure of crib 

da-n. Natural discharge estimated at about 25,000 cfs. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date r:teight Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date ~eight Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1928 lJov. 24, 1927 7.80 8,610 1940 Dec. 16, 1939 7.20 7,360 

1929 Mar. 27, 1929 6.40 5,660 1941 Jan. 18, 1941 6.39 5,440 

1930 Dec. 23, 1929 6.05 4,900 1942 Dec~ 20, 1941 7.37 7,890 

1931 Apr. 13, 1931 7.2 7,320 

1932 Feb. 27, 1932 8.11 11,?00 

1943 Apr. 2~ 19.43 6.41 5,410 

1944 Dec. 4, 1943 7.32 7,230 

1933 Jan. 9, 1933 - 7,240 1945 Feb. 8, 1945 6.99 6,600 

1934 Dec. 10, 1933 15.8 35,000 1946 Dec. 30, 194~ 7.32 7,230 

1935 Jan. - 1935 12.5 24,000 1947 Jan. 27, 194'i 7.46 7,660 

1936 Feb. 28, 1936 7.43 7,890 1948 Mar. 23, 1948 6.58 5,800 

1937 Apr. 15, 1937 6.92 6,600 1949 Feb. 23, 194£ 8.42 8,.660 

1938 Dec. 29, 1937 - 23,000 1950 Dec • .' 29, 1949 9.30 10,400 

1939 Feb. 15, 1939 7.10 7,100 1951 Feb. 11, 1951 11.0 13,800 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 53 

CHEHALIS RIVER BASIN 

(30) Chehalis River near Doty, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 4603.,'0011 , long. 123016'4011 , inNVvt sec. 14, T. 13 N., R. 5 W., limi upstream 

from Elk Creek, ll mi south of Doty, and 3! mi north of Pe Ell. 

Drainage area --113 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage read twice daily. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 8,300 yfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 15.76 15,100 

1941 Jan. 17, .J-941 11.70 9,140 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 11.50 8,780 

1943 Feb. 6, 1943 9.46 6,400 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 9.07 5,.670 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 17.80 18,100 

1946 Nov. 26, 1945 10.76 7,910 

1947 Feb. 2, 1947 12.28 9,980 

1948 Jan. 2, 1948 11.35 8,720 

1949 Feb. 22, 1949 14.30 12,8'00 

1950 Nov. 27 ~ 1949 ' 13.9 12,200 

1951 Feb. r;J, 1951 15.9 15,200 

(31) Chehalis River near Grand Mound, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46046 135, long. 123002'0511 , in NEt sec. 22, T. 15 N., R. 3 W., at Meadow, 1! mi 

southwest of Grand Mound and 6 mi downstream from Skookumchuck River. 

Drainage area.--897 sq mi. 

Gage. --Nonrecording gage read 01i ce daily prior to October 1934; recording '!;hereafter. Datum of 

recording gage is 123.27 ft above. mean sea level, datum -of 1929. 

Stage•discharge relation.--Defined py current-meter measurements below 37,000 cfs a~d extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversions. No regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Recur- Recur1Water Gage Dis- renee Water Gage Dis- renee 

year Date height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) (M) val 

year Date height charge Prder inter-

(ft) (cfs) , (M) val 

(yr) (yr) 

1929 Mar. 27, 1929 8.00 13,700 35 1.17 1940 Dec. 17, 1939 13~90 22,700 21 1.95 

1930 Feb •. 8, 1930 7.26 12,200 37 1.11 1941 Jan. 19, 1941 12.69 18,800 29 1.41 

1931 Apr. 1, 1931 10.39 19,400 27 1.52 

1932 Feb. 27, 1932 11.29 21,800 23 1.78 

1942 Dec. 20, 1941 15.30 26,900 12 3.42 

1943 Feb. 7, 1943 13.23 20,200 25 1.64 

1933 1933 3, 1932 11.55 22,600 22 1.86 1944 Dec. 4, 1943 12.30 16,400 31 1.32 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 15.00 45,700 3 13.67 

Change in datum ~945 Feb. 9, 1945 15.29 27,000 11 3.73 

1946 Dec. 30, 1945 14.33 23,100 20 2.05 

1935 Jan. 23, 1935 17.10 38,000 4 10.25 

1936 Jan. 13, 1936 16.77 36,300 7 5.86 ... 1947 Jan. 26, 1947 14.57 24,200 18 2.28 

1948 Ja.n. 3, 1948 13.57 20,000 26 1.58 

1937 Apr. 15, 1937 14.33 24,300 1·7 2.41 1949 -Feb. 18, 1949 16.70 36,500 6 6.83 

1938 Dec. 29, 1937 18.39 48,1:00 1 41.00 1950 Feb. 26, 1950 15.40 26,300 13 3.15 

]_939 Feb. 16, 1939 14.39 24,800 15 2.73 1951 Feb. 10, 1951 16.96 32,700 8 5.12 
54 

f--1-

50,000 

'd45, 000 s:: 

0 

() 

Q) 

C!) 

f:,.,40,000 

Q) 

p. 

.j..) 

Q) 

~35,000 

() 

or-l 

'§ 

0 30,000 

s:: 

or-l 

Q)' 

bO 

~25,000 

.£! 

() 

C!) 

or-l 

~ 

20,000 

15,000 

10,000 

1.01 

FLOODS IN \"JESTERN WASH INGTON 

C}lli}illLIS RIVER BASIN 

H 

. +-+-

f--t-- -

1.1 1.2 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 '50 

Recurrence interval, in years 

Figure 16.--Frequency of annual floods, Chehalis River near Grand Mound, Wash. 

(32) Chehalis River at South Elma, Wash. 

- -t100 

Location.--Lat 46049'0011 , long. 123°24'4011 , in NEtNEt sec. 10, T. 17 l'J., R. 6 VI., at county 

bridge at South Elma, 1.1 mi downstream from Cloquallum Creek. Prior to April l, 1947, at 

site 200 ft downstream at same datum. 

Drainage area.--1,420 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording read twice daily prior to April 1, 1947; recording thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 35,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversions. No regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1947 Jan. 26, 1947 74.62 28,000 1948 Jan. 5, ]._948 72.40 24,400 

1949 Feb. 24, 1949 76.23 35,600 l950 Feb. 27, 1950 75.90 34,500 1951 Feb. 11, 1951 76.95 38,800 

1 

-l . 

-f 

200 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 55 

CHEHALIS RIVER BASIN 

(33) Elk Creek near Doty, Wash. 

~ation.--Lat 46°37'4011 , long. 123°19'5011 , in NWt sec. 8, T. 13 N., R~ 5 W., ha.lf'amileupstream 

from Nine Creek, 1 mi upstream from Deer Creek, and 2i mi west of Doty. 

Drainage a~~.--46.7 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 1,600 cfs and . extended by 

logari tbmic plotting • 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulati~n. 

Annual flood peaks 

Viater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

{ft) (cfs) 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 6.16 1,370 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 6.88 1,720 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 7.06 1,820 

1948 Mar. 21, 1948 6.12 1,320 

1949 Feb. 22, 1949 8.21 2,380 

1950 Dec. 28, 1949 7.03 1,770 

(34) South Fork Chehalis River at Boistfort, Wash. 

Loca ti6n. --La t 46°32 '4511· , long. 123°07 '5511 , in NWtmvt sec. 12, T. 12 N. , R. 4 W. , a quarter of a moisouth of Boistfort and 6 mi upstream from mouth. 

Drainage area. --49.2 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 1,500 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversions at flood stage. No regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

{ft) (cfs) 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 11.57 4,680 

1946 Dec. 29, 1945 8.06 2,560 

1947 Feb. 2, 1947 8.39 2,720 

1948 Jan. 2, 1948 8.20 2,630 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 10.78 4,190 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 9.77 3,590 
56 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

CHEHALIS RIVER BASIN 

(35) Skookumchuck River near Centralia, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46047 115", long . 122°42 1 4511 , in s wtNwt sec. 17, T. 15 N., R. 1 E., half a mile 

upstream from Bloody Run Creek, 4~ mi upstream from Thompson Creek, and 12 mi northeast of 

9entralia. 

Drainage area.--60 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is 300.0 ft abov!=l mean sea level (river-profile survey). 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 3,300. cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1930 Mar. 22, 1930 6.04 1,840 

1931 Mar. 31, 1931 7.50 3,240 

Change in datum 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 44.72 2,740 

1941 Jan. 18, 1941 43.63 1,880 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 46.18 3,800 

1943 nov. 23, 1942 45.19 2,930 

1944 Dec . 3, 1943 44.97 2,78 0 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 45.31 3,080 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 45.33 3,080 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 46.27 3,880 

1948 Mar. 22, 1948 46;27 3, 880 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 48.39 5,770 

1950 Dec. 28, 1949 47.30 4,780 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 46.06 3,720 

(36) Black River at Little Rock, l.'vash. 

Location.--Lat 46°54 11011 , lone;. 123°01 1 20", in NEtSWi sec. 2, T. 16 N., R. 3 ·.:-r ., at bridge 

crossing in Little Rock 0.4 mi upstream from Beaver Creek. 

Drainage area.--64 sq mi. 

~~.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 720 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

1:,Jater Gage . year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945 5.11 84o 

1946 Jan. 4, 1946 5.23 840 

1947 Jan. 25, 1947 6.44 1,220 

1948 Jan. 4, 1948 4.96 695 

1949 Feb. 23, 1949 6.50 1,350 

1950 Dec. 28, 1949 7.39 1,720 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 57 

CliEHAL IS RIVER BAS IN 

(37) Cloquallum River at ELma, ~lash. 

Location.--Lat 47°00'2011 , long. 123°23'1011 , in S?J"N';V% sec. 36, T. 18 H., R. 6 W., half a mile east 

of Elma and 1.8 mi downstream from Wildcat Creek. 

Drainage area.--66 sq mi. 

Gage. --Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 2,750 cfs and extended by 

logarith~ic plotting. 

Remarks.--Ne l~gible diversions and regulation at flood stage. 

Annual flood p'eaks 

.'fater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 8.70 3,050 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 7.00 2,440 

1947 Jan. 25, 1947 9.53 3,290 

1948 Mar. 22, 1948 6.95 1,810 

1949 Feb. 22, 1949 9.24 3,110 

1950 Dec. 28, 1949 10.07 3,720 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 11.06 4,510 

(38) Satsop River near Sats op, Vash. 

Location.--Lat 47000 1 0511 , long. 123029 14011 , in sec. 36, T. 18 N., R. 7 D., 1 mi west of Satsop 

a·nd 1~ mi upstream from mouth. · 

Drainag~~.--315 sq mi. 

Gage.--lionrecording gage read once daily prior to March 1938; recording thereafter. Datum of 

recording gage is at mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Stag~-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 35,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--Maximum stages for period of :nonrecording gage are from graphs based on gage readings. 

No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Hater Gage :later Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (c.t:'s ) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1930 Dec. 23, 1929 10.0 11,300 1940 Dec. 15, 1939 32.14 18,700 

1931 Jan. 23 , 1931 13.2 19,200 1941 Jan. 18, 1941 33.81 25,200 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 15.8 27,000 1942 Dec. 19, 1941 30.23 13,200 

1933 Jan. 8 , 1933 11.5 15,300 1943 Apr. l, 1943 29.96 13,100 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 14.4 24,500 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 32.64 19,900 

1935 Jan. 22, 1935 18.0 52,500 1945 Feb. · 7, 1945 35.30 28,000 

1936 Jan. 4, 1936 11.0 16,600 1946 Apr. ll, 1946 31.73 17,200 

1937 Apr. 14, 1937 10.5 15,200 1947 Jan. 25, 1947 34.00 24,000 

1938 Dec. 28, 1937 14.3 30,100 1948 Oct. 19; 1947 . 32.06 17,300 

Change in datum 

1949 Feb. 22, 1949 34.90 27,000 ·, 

1939 Jan. 1, 1939J 33.91 25,600 1950 Dec. 28, 1949 34.80 26,600 

1951 Feb. 9; 1951 36.90 36,500 
58 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

CHEHALIS RIVER BASIN 

(39) Wynoochee River at Oxbow, near Aberdeen, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°19 1 3011 , long. 123°38 1 20", in sec. 12, T. 21 N., R. 8 W., 1 mi downstream from 

Oxbow and 24 mi northeast of Aberdeen. 

Drainage area.--About 65 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 4, 8 00 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Vfater Gage Nater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1926 Dec, 11, 1925 20.0 8,350 1940 Dec. 15, 1939 24.6 11,400 

1927 Oct. 26, 1926 19.3 7,790 1941 Jan. 17, 1941 23.47 10,600 

1928 Jan. 12, 1928 21.9 9,910 1942 Dec. 2, 1941 21.90 9,270 

1929 Mar. 28, 1929 16.3 5,560 1943 Apr. - 1943 - 7,000 

1930 Dec. 23, 1929 19.4 7,870 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 22.25 9,510 

1931 Jan. 22, 1931 23.1 11,000 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 25.2 12,900 

1933 Nov. 12, 1932 21.1 9,230 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 26.2 12,800 

1946 Feb. 24, 1946 18.60 6,820 

1947 Feb. 13, 1947 22.50 9,750 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 26.3 14,000 

1935 Jan. 22, 1935 30.3 18,000 

Change in datum 

1948 Oct. 18, 1947 15.32 10,700 

1936 Jan. . 1, 1936 18.13 6,830 1949 Feb. 22, 1949 11.94 8,630 

1937 Dec. 22, 1936 20.55 8,830 

1938 Oct. 28, 1937 23.2 11,100 

1950 Nov. 26, 1949 25.46 16,400 

1951 Feb. 10, 1951 21.15 14,200 

1939 Jan. 1, 1939 25.55 13,300 

(40) Wynoochee River below Black Creek, near Montesano, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°00 1 3511 , long. 123°39 1 0011 , in NWiNV'li sec. 35, T. 18 N., R. 8 W., at county road 

bridge 500 ft downstream from Black Creek and 2l mi northwest of Montesano. 

Drainage area.--179 sq mi. 

Gage. --Nonrecording gage re.ad once daily prior to July 9, 1947; recording to November 13, 1949. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 14,500 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting, 

Remarks.~-Negligible diversion at flood stage. No regulation. Peak for 1951 obtained from highwater mark. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1942 Dec. 3, 1941 - 16,100 

1943 Apr .. 2, 1943 77.90 10,000 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 81.52 15,100 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945 82.65 16,600 

1946 Apr. 11, 1946 78.15 11,000 

1947 Feb. 14, 1947 81.19 15,800 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 79.78 13,400 

1949 Feb. 22, 1949 80.74 16,200 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 85.4 22,600 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 59 

QUiliA1JLT RIVER · BASTI'J 

(41) Quinault River at Quinault Lake, ·:Iash. 

Location.--Lat 47°27 1 30", long. 123°53 1 30", in sec. 25, T. 23 N., R. 10 

---Lake and 4 mi southwest of Quinault. 

at outlet of Quinault 

Drainage area.--264 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecordinp:: gage read twice daily prior to October 1916; recording thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 37,500 cfs and extended 

by logarith~ic plotting. Relation for early floods was poorly defined. 

Remarks.--For period of nonrecording gage, the maxLmum stages are from grap~s based on gage 

readings. Uo diversion. Natur~l regulation by Quinault Lake. 

Annual flood peaks 

RecurWater Gage renee 

year Date height Discharge Order interval 

(ft) (cfs) (M) (yr) 

1912 Nov. 18, 1911 12.2 21,800 16 2.56 

1913 Nov. 19, 1912 8.2 12,000 36 1.14 

1914 Jan. 6, 1914 16.3 32,500 6 6.83 

1915 Oct. 19, 1914 10.0 16,200 27 1.52 

1916 Dec. 8, 1915 11.2 19,200 22 1.86 

Change in datum 

1917 Nov. 4, 1916 5.76 6,750 40 1.02 

1918 Dec. 18, 1917 14.83 32,300 7 5.86 

1919 Dec. 14, 1918 12.08 23,800 13 3.15 

1920 Nov. 15, 1919 11.66 22,600 15 2.73 

1921 Feb. 11, 1921 10.95 20,400 19 2.16 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 16.30 37,000 3 13.67 

1926 Dec. 23, 1925 9.14 14,800 32 1.28 

1927 Oct. 16, 1926 9.10 14,800 33 1.24 

1928 Jan. 12, 1928 9.87 17,100 25 1.64 

1929 Nov. 13, 1928 7.44 10,300 39 1.05 

1930 Feb. 5, 1930 7.95 11,800 37 1.11 

1931 Jan. 23, 1931 11.2 21,000 18 2.28 

1932 Feb. 27, 1932 13.5 28,100 8 5.12 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 - 35,000 5 8.20 

1935 Jan. 24, 1935 16.0 36,100 4 10.25 

Change in datum 

1936 Jan. 4, 1936 9.17 11,800 38 1.08 

1937 Dec. 22, 1936 10.79 16,100 28 ~.46 

1938 Dec. 29, 1937 12.86 23,400 14 2·.93 

1939 Jan. 1, 1939 14.06 27,600 9 4.56 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 12.91 21,500 17 2.41 

1941 Oct. 19, 1940 11.12 16,000 29 1.41 

1942 Dec. - 1941 - 15,500 30 1.37 

1943 Apr. 2, 1943 9.97 13,100 35 1.17 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 12.32 19,600 21 1.95 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945 14.69 27,500 10 4.10 

1946 Nov. 15, 1945 10.37 14,100 34. 1.21 

1947 Feb. 14, 1947 14.63 27,100 ll 3.73 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 11.54 17,100 26 1.58 

1949 Feb. 23, 1949 10~78 15,200 . 31 1.32 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 18.60 42,300 1 41.00 

1951 Feb. 10, 1951 17.29 37.100 2 20.50 
60 

45,00 r-- t-

'E40, 00 

0 

~ r-- !7) 

H35,00~ 

•Q) 

p. 

.p 

Q) 

~30,00 

C) 

..-I 

'§ 

c.>25,00 

~ 

a>' 

~20 oon--r- a:~ , ..c:: 

C) 

ro 

..-I 

A 15,00 

10,00 

5,00 

1.01 

FLOODS IN VffiSTERN WASHINGTON 

QUINAULT RIVER BASIN 

1.1 1.2 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 

Recurrence interva~ in years 

Figure 17.--Frequency of' annual floods, Quinault River at Quinault Lake, Wash. 

QUEETS RIVER BASIN 

(42) Queets River near Clearwater, Wash. 

100 

Location.--Lat 47°32 1 , long. 124°19 1 , in swt sec. 36, T. 24 N., R. 13 w., on Quinault Indian 

Reservation, 2 mi downstream from Clearwater River and 4 mi southwest of Clearwater. 

Drainage area.--454 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is 14.5 ft above mean sea level- (river-profile survey). 

Stage discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 25,000 cfs and extended 

by slope-area method. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Peak for 1950 obtaired from high-water mark. 

200 
. GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

QUEETS RIVER BASIN 

(42) Q,ueets River near Clearwater, Wash.-.,..continued 

Annual flood peaks 

Water · · .Gage 

year Date height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1931 Jan. 23, 1931 14.07 46,000 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 18.3 70,100 

1933 Nov. 12, 1932 14.p 47,200 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 15.2 52,100 

1935 Jan. 22, 1935 23.0 lOO,OQO 

Change in datum 

1936 Jan.· 4, 1936 16.81 33,70Q_ 

1937 Dec. 22, 1936 17.80 37,900 

1938 Dec. 28,_ 1937 20.5 57,500 

1939 Jan. l, 1939 20.29 57,600 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 19.19 50,800 

1941 Jart. 17, . 1941 19.56 53,200 

1942 :Uec. 22, 1941 18.r70 47,800 

1943 Apr. 2, 1943 16.77 36,900 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 19'.65 53,200 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 22.08 70,000 

1946 Nov. 14, 1945 17.60 41,400 

1947 Jan. 25, 1947 20.00 55,700 

1948 Oct. 18, 1947 20.42 58,300 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 20.15 57,000 

1950 Nov. 25, 1949 23.57 92,500 

(4'3) Clearwater River near Clearwater, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47035', long. 124018 1 , in lot 4, sec. 18, T. 24 N., R. 12 W., lt mi north of 

Clearwater and 3 mi upstream from mouth. Prior to September 1932 at site a quarter of a mile 

upstream. 

Drainage area.--140 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is 60.0 ft above mean sea level, unadjusted. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 7,000 cfs and extended 

by slope-area method. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Peaks for 1950-51 obtained from high-water marks. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 15.50 21,000 

Change in datum 

1938 Oct. 28-, 1937 14.90 17,000 

1939 Jan. 1, 1939 14.44 16,000 

1940 Dec. 14, 1939 13.88 15,00Q 

1941 Jan. 17, 1941 14.51 16,100 

1942 Dec. 2, 1941 12.83 12,200 

1943 Oct. 30, 1942 12.24 11,100 

1944 Dec. 2, 1943 14.87 16,200 

1946 Nov. 14, 1945 13.27 13,400 

1948 Jan. 1, 1948 14.38 15,800 

1949 Feb. 16, 1949 17.38 21,500 

1950 Nov. 25, 1949 19.2 26,500 

1951 Feb. - 1951 17.75, 23,400 

61 
62 :.?LOODS IN VIESTERN WASHINGTON 

HOH RIVER BASIN 

(44) Hoh River near Spruce, '·.'fash. 

Location.--Lat 47048 1 20", long. 124007 12011 , in sec. 34, T. 27 N., R. 11 w., 2~ mi downstream 

rrom Spruce and 5 mi downstream rrom South Fork. 

· Drainage area.--193 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Derined by current-meter measurements below 13,000 crs and extended 

by slope-area meth6d. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual rlood peaks 

Water Gage 1Nater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

Crt) (crs) 

year Date height Discharge 

Crt) (crs) 

1927 Oct. 16, 1926 12.6 15,600 1939 Jan. 1, 1939 14.92 20,200 

1928 Jan. 12, 1928 13.13 16,800 1940 Dec. 15, 1939 15.08 20,700 

1929 Oct. 8, 1928 11.04 11,900 1941 Jan. 17, 1941 13.24 16,000 

1930 Feb. 18, 1930 10.96 11,900 1942 Dec. 2, 1941 15.48 21,800 

1931 Jan. 22, 1931 14.12 19,400 1943 Oct. 31, 1942 10.68 11,000 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 15.4 22,800 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 13.85 17,400 

1933 Nov. 12, 1932 13.36 17,600 1945 Feb. 7, 1945 13.79 17,400 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 17.3 28,600 1946 Nov. 15, 1945 9.79 9,580 

1935 Nov. 5, 1934 21.2 40,000 1947 Feb. 13, 1947 12.79 15,700 

1936 Jan. 4, 1936 9.85 9,840 1948 Oct. 18, 1947 14.39 19,400 

1937 Dec. 22, 1936 12.23 15,000 1949 Feb. 22, 1949 10.86 12,200 

1938 Oct. 28, 1937 15.36 21,500 1950 Nov. 25, 1949 22.2 38,700 

1951 Feb. 10, 1951 15.20 21,500 

QUILLAYUTE RIVER BASIN 

(45) So1educk River near Fairholm, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48°02 1 30", long. 123057 1 30", in- lot 4, sec. 35, T. 30 N., R. 10 w., 300 rt downstream rrom South Fork, 2! mi southwest or Fairholm, and 17 mi west or Beaver. 

Drainage area.--84 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Derined by current-meter measurements below 5,200 crs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual rlood peaks 

V"Jater Gage Nater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

Crt) (crs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(rt) (crs) . 

1918 Dec. 18, 1917 11.7 14,700 

1919 Dec. 4, 1918 10.4 12,300 

1920 Nov. 15, 1919 8.8 9,500 

1921 Feb. 11, 1921 9.5 10,700 

1922 Oct. 28, 1921 12.5 16,200 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 9.74 9,150 

1941 Jan. 17, 1941 8•97 7,800 

1942 Dec. 2, 1941 9.48 8,700 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 7.04 4,800 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 8.17 6,400 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 14.9 18,400 

1935 Nov. 5, 1934 14.4 17,600 

1936 Jan. 4, 1936 6.48 4,000 

1937 Dec. 22, 1936 9.26 8,030 

1938 Dec. 28, 1937 11.06 11,400 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 12.34 13,700 

1946 Nov. 14, 1945 8.00 5,200 

1947 Feb. 13, 1947 8.60 7,200 

1948 Oct. 18, 1947 8.89 7,700 

1949 Dec. 1, 1948 7.02 4,800 

1939 Jan. 1, 1939 9.73 9,100 1950 Nov. 25, 1949 16.42 21,400 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 10.40 10,300 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 63 

EL'NHA RIVER BASIN 

(46) Elwha River at McDonald Bridge near Port Angeles, ',·vash. 

Location.--Lat 48°03 1 2011 , long. 123034'5511 , in NEtNNt sec. 33, T. 30 N., R. 7 \V ., at site of 

McDonald Bridge (now removed), hali'amile upstream from Little River, 7 mi upstream from mouth, 

and 8 mi southwest of Port Angeles. 

Drainage area.--262 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage since 1936 is 200.00 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current~eter measurement$ below 12,000 cfs and extended by 

computation of flow over dam. 

Remarks.--Ho diversions. Partial regulation by Glines Canyon Reservoir on Elwha River since 1927 

(usable capacity 38,650 acre-ft). . 

Annual flood pea~s 

Water Gage : 

year Date height Discharge 

·( ft) (cfs) 

1920 Nov. 15., 1919 6.7. 6,500 

19~1 Feb. 11, 1921 6.9 10,100 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 9.4 16,200 

1923 Dec. 24, 1922 6.3 8,900 

1924 Jan. 31, 1924 7.7 13,000 

1925 Nov. 19, 1924 6.1 8,680 

1926 Dec. 11. 1925 5.15 6,070 

1927 Dec. 2, 1926 5.7 6,500 

1928 Jan. 12, 1928 6.9 8,600 

1929 Oct. 9, 1928 6.65 8,200 

1930 Feb. 18, 1930 5.7 6,440 

1931 Jan. 23, 1931 7.3 9,640 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 8.37 12,200 

1933 Nov. 12, 1932 7.3 9,640 

1934 Dec. 21; 1933 10.5 26,700 

1935 Nov. 5, 1934 10.17 25,200 

1936 Jan. 4, 1936 5.47 4,680 

Change in datum 

1937 Dec. 22, 1936 16.10 8,870 

1938 Dec. 28, 1937 19.6 18,600 

1939 Jan. 1, 1939 19.0 17,100 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 18.44 15,600 

1941 Jan. 17, 1941 16.29 10,800 

1942 Dec. 2, .1941 19.05 17,100 

1943 Apr. 2, 1943 14.20 6,770 

~ 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 15.93 10,000 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 . 17.70 14,000 

1946 ·Dec. 28, 1945 13.68 5,910 

1947 Feb. 13, 1947 17.48 13,000 

1948 oct. 18, 1947 19.31 18,000 

1949 Nov. 28, 1948 13.40 5,370 

1950 Nov. 26, 1949 24.2 30,000 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 17.90 14.300 
64 FLOODS IN VESTERN WASHINGTON 

DUNGKNESS RIVER BASIN 

(47} Dungeness River near Sequim, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48°00 140", long. 123007 1 50", in SWiSEt sec. 12, T. 29 N., R. 4 W., three-quarters 

of amlle upstream from Canyon Creek, 4! mi southwest of Sequim, and lll mi upstream from mouth. 

Drainage area.--156 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage read once daily prior to August 1937; recording thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 1,900 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks·. --Maximum stages for period of nonrecording gage are from graphs based on [;age readings. 

No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 'later Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date heic;ht Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1924 Feb. 11, 1924 7.0 6,340 

1925 Nov. 19, 1924 4.6 3,120 

1926 Dec. 23, 1925 3.0 740 

1927 Dec. 1, 1926 4.3 2,860 

1941 Jan. 17, 1941 5.47 2,400 

1942 Dec. 2, 1941 6.28 4,120 

1943 May · 26, 1943 4.39 1,010 

19-44 Dec. 3, 1943 4.84 1,520 

1928 Jan. 12, 1928 3.1 1,400 1945 Feb. 7, 1945 5.96 3~380 

1929 June 15, 1929 2.9 1,000 

1930 Feb. 20, 1930 3.2 920 

1946 June 14, 1946 4.57 1,200 

1947 Feb. 12, 1947 5.48 2,530 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 5.65 2,790 

Change in datum 1949 Dec. 1, 1948 5.73 2,820 

1938 Dec. 28, 19371 6.85 5,380 

1939 Jan. 1, 1939 .6.17 3,850 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 6.27 4,010 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 7.3 6,820 

1951 Feb·. 9, 19.51 6.53 4,{330 

DOSEV/ALLIPS RIVER BASIN 

(48} Dosewallips River near Brinnon, Wash. 

Loca,tion.--Lat 47043 1 , long. 123000 1 , in SW% sec. 24, T. 26 N., R. 3 W., halfamileupstream from 

Corrigenda ranger station, 5l mi northwest of Brinnon, and 7l mi upstream from mouth. 

Drainage area.--94 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage read ·once daily prior to _October 1931; recording thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 4,500 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks.--Records for 1929-30 were obtained at site 5 mi downstream. No diversion or regulation. 

Peak for 1950 obtained from high-water mark. 

Annual flood peru~s 

~'l ater Gage Hater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) , ( cfs} 

year Date height Discharge ( rt·) (cfs) 

1929 Nov. 12, 1928 3.8 2,200 1939 Jan. 1, 1939 6.50 4,220 

1930 Feb. 20, 1930 3.9 2,350 1940 Dec. 8, 1939 6.56 4,310 

1941 Oct. 20, 1940 6.06 3,400 

Change in datum 1942 Dec. 2, 1941 .7 .64 6,370 

1931 Jan. 23, 1931 6.7 4,790 1943 Apr. 2, 1943 4.62 1,580 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 6.74 4,790 . 1933 Nov. 13, 1932 6.30 4,050 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 5.99 3,410 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 7.42 5,980 1945 Feb. 7, 1945 6.91 4,950 

1946 June 14, 1946 4.76 1,780 

1947 Feb. 12, 1947 6.14 3,650 

1935 Nov. 5, 1934 9.57 10,600 1948 Oct. 18, 1947 7.27 5,740 

1936 June 16, 1936 5.35 2,460 

1937 Dec. 22, 1936 4.96 1,980 1949 May 12, 1949 4.81 1,830 

1938 Dec. 28, 1937 6.30 3,870 1950 Nov. 26, 1949 9.92 13,200 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

DUCKABUSH RIVER BASIN 

(49) Duckabush River near Br<innon, ·Nash. 

Location.--Lat. 47°41 1 00", long. 123000 140", in swtswt sec. 1, T. 25 N., R. 3 w., 4~ mi upstream 

fr~m mouth and 5 mi west of Brinnon. 

Drainage area.--66 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

65 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 1,700 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Anriual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1939 Jan~ 1, 1939 7.39 4,960 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 8.07 6,080 

1941 Oct. 23, 1940 7.22 4,750 

1942 Dec. 2, 1941 8.07 6,080 

1946 Dec. 3, 1945 5.47 2,530 

1947 Feb. 12, 1947 7.54 5,370 

1948 Oct. 18, 1947 7.90 5,970 

1949 Mar. 19, 1949 5.37 2,410 

1943 Apr. 2, 1943 5.50 2,700 1950 Nov. 26, 1949 10.06 8,960 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 6.42 3,790 1951 Feb. 9, 1951 7.20 4,280 

SKOKOMISH RIVER BASIN 

(50) North Fork Skokomi~;~h River below Staircase Rapids, near Hoodsport, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47030 15511 , long. 123019 145", in NW! sec. 4, T. 23 N., R. 5 \'!., three-quarters of a 

mile upstream from Lake Cushman, 2 mi upstream from Dry Creek, and 11~ mi northwest of 

Hoodsport. 

Drainage area.--60 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording except for period Octooer 1935 to November 1941, when nonrecording gage was 

read once daily. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 1,.500 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

n ater Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1925 Feb. 2, 1925 .6.88 4.J400 

1926 Dec. 11, 1925 6.80 4,250 

1927 Dec. 1, 1926 7.50 5,350 

1938 Oct. 28, 1937 9.3 10,200 

1939 Jan. 1, 1939 8.60 8,580 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 - 9,000 

1928 Jan. 3, 1928 6.70 4,100 

1929 Nov. 9, 1928 5.49 2~540 

1941 Jan. 17, 1941 7.77 6,830 

1942 Dec. 2, 1941 9.18 8,300 

1930 Dec. 14, 1929 6.62 4,050 

1931 Jan. 22, 1931 8.67 8,830 

1932 Dec. 19, 1931 7.38 5~950 

1933 · Nov. 12, 1932 6.90 4,940 

1943 Apr. 2, 1943 7.02 4,400 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 7.66 5,540 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 10.10 10,100 

1946 Nov. 14, 1945 6.20 3,140 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 10.0 11,300 1947 Feb. 12, 1947 8.02 5,58 0 

1935 Nov. 5-, 1934 14.4 23,300 1948 Oct. 18, 1947 9.30 7,810 

1936 June 17, 1936 5.32 2,410 1949 Feb. 22, 1949 5.69 2,530 

1937 Dec. 22, 1936 6.85 4,840 1950 Nov. 26, 1949 12.20 24,200 

1951 Feb. 10, 1951 7.70 7_}_030 
66 FLOODS IN \'\'ESTERN WASHINGTON 

SKOKOMISH RIVER BASIN 

(51) South Fork Skokomish River near Union, -1"lash, 

Location.--Lat 47020 1 3011 , long. 123°16 1 3011 , in NEi sec. 2, T. 21 N., R. 5 'N ., 2~ mi upstream from 

North Fork, 5 mi upstream from Vance Creek, and 8 mi west of Union. 

Drainage area.--81 sq mi . . 

Gage .• --Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 5,500 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Records for 1924-31 computed on basis of records for 

------South Fork Skokomish River near Potlatch, Wash. 

Water 

year 

1924 Jan. 

1925 Feb. 

1926 Dec. 

1927 Dec. 

1928 Jan. 

1929 Mar. 

1930 .Dec. 

1931 Jan. 

1932 Feb. 

1933 Nov. 

1934 Dec. 

1935 Jan. 

1936 Feb. 

1937 Dec. 

24,000 

'CJ 

~ 

O · C) 

(]) 

Cll20, 000 

~ 

or-l 

(])"\ 

bO 

H 8,00 a:i 

.£1 

C) 

Cll 

or-l 

1-l 4,00 

1.01 

Date 

31, 

1, 

11, 

1, 

12, 

28, 

22, 

22, 

26, 

13, 

21' 

22, 

27, 

22, 

Gage Disheight 

(ft) 

charge 

(cfs) 

1924 - 11,800 

1925 - 9,160 

1925 - 5,300 

1926 - 5,800 

1928 - 5,900 

1929 - 3,500 

1929 - 5,300 

1931 - 10,600 

1932 9.27 13,000 

1932 8.16 6,740 

1933 10.9 16,500 

1935 11.0 21, 6 00 

1936 8.21 5,830 

1936 9.46 10,000 

1.1 1.2 1,5 2 

Annual flood pe~s 

Recurrenee Water Gage DisOrder inter-

(M) val 

year Date height charge Order 

(ft) (cfs) (M) 

(yr) 

14 2.93 1938 Dec. 28, 1937 10.31 13,800 10 

20 2.05 1939 Jan. 1, 1939 9.86 13,900 9 

34 1.21 1940 Dec. 15, 1939 10.3 17,200 6 

33 1.24 

31 1.32 

1941 Jan. 17, 1941 9.73 12,500 13 

1942 Dec. 2, 1941 10.43 17,600 5 

39 1.05 1943 Mar. 27, 1943 8.74 8,540 22 

35 1.17 . 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 8.79 8,470 23 

15 2.'73 1945 Feb. 7, 1945 10.70 19,400 2 

11 3.73 1946 Feb. 24, 1 946 7.65 4,920 36 

28 1.46 1947 Feb. 13, 1947 8.47 8,160 25 

7 5.86 1 94:8 Oct •. 18 , 1947 8 .95 9,730 19 

1 41.00 1949 Feb. 22, 1949 8 ,00 6,290 29 

32 1.28 1950 Nov. 26, 1949 11.00 13,000 12 

17 . 2.41 1951 Feb. 9, 1951 9.00 8,400 24 

3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 100 

Recurrence interva~ in years 

Figure lB.--Frequency of annual floods, South Fork Skokomish River near Union, Wash. 

Recurrenee 

interval 

(yr) 

4.10 

4.56 

6.83 

3.15 

8.20 

1.86 

1.78 

20.50 

1.14 

1.64 

2.16 

1.41 

3.42 

1.71 

200 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 67 

MISSION CREEK BASIN 

(52) Mission Creek near Bremerton, \'Jash. 

Location.--Lat 47032', long. 122050', inNE%-NVV% sec. 32, T. 24 N., R. 1 W., onMissionLake, 300 

ft upstre~~ from lake outlet and ~ mi west of Bremerton. 

Drainage area.--1.9 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 86 ci's and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1946 Jan. 5, 1946 4.72 38 

1947 Feb. 14, 1947 5.11 51 

1948 Jan. 2, 1948 4.71 38 

1949 Feb. 22, 1949 6.36 96 

1950 Nov. 2'7, 1949 4.54 90 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 4~62 100 

(53) Mission Creek near Belfair, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 4'7°29'20", long. 122051'40", in NVift sec. 18, T. 23 N., R. 1 w., 3 mi northwest of 

Belfair and 5 mi upstream from mouth. 

Drainage area.--4.4 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Sta~e-discharge relation.--Defined by current~meter measurements below 130 cfs and extended by . ogarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--Ho diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1946 Jan. 4, 1946 3.71 93 

1947 Feb. 14, 1947 4.30 140 

1948 Jan. 2, 1948 3.71 96 

1949 Feb. 22, 1949 6.10 403 

1950 Nov. 2'7, 1949 4.80 212 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 5.20 264 
68 FLOODS I N WESTERN WASHINGTON 

TAHUYA RIVER BASIN 

(54) Tahuya River near Bremerton, Hash. 

Location.--Lat 4'7°33 1 0011 , long. 122°50 1 3011 , in SEiSEi sec. 19, T. 24 N.,- R. l '.f .; 1% mi downstrerun 

from Tahuya Lake and 10 mi west of Bremerton. 

Drainage area.--6.1 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined ~y current-meter measurements below 360 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--Ne gligible diversions at flood stage. No regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

;:later Gage year Date height Dis charge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1946 Apr. ll, 1946 3 .26 161 

1947 Feb. 14 , 1947 4 .04 314 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 3.94 248 

1949 Feb. 22, 1949 5.28 424 

1950 Uov. 27, 1949 5.58 450 

1951 Feb. 9 , 1951 5.45 500 

(55) Gold Creek near Bremerton, Vlash. 

Location.--Lat 47°33 1 2011 , long . 122048 13011 , in NEtsw.~ sec. 21, T. 24 N., R. 1 W., about l mi 

upstream f r om mouth and 7 mi west of Bremerton. 

Drainage area.--1.5 sq mi. 

Gage.--Re cord ing. 

Stage-d i s charge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 54 cfs and extended by 

logari thrn·ic plotting. 

Remarks.--no diversion or re gulation. 

nnua~ flood peaks 

\7ater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1946 Apr. ll, 1946 2.28 65 

194'7 Feb. 2, 1947 2.74 106 

1948 Oct. 18 , 1947 2.95 123 

1949 Feb. 22, 1949 3.2'7 164 

1950 Nov. 26, 1949 3.17 190 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 2.80 140 
GAGilJG:....STATION RL:CORDS 69 

TAHUYA RIVER BASIN 

(56) Panther Creek near Bremerton, '·."!ash. 

Location.--Lat 47031'40", long . 122052 1 0011 , in }U% sec. 31, T. 24 H., R. 1 '.v ., half a mile down~ 

stream from Panther Lake and 11 mi west of Bremerton. 

Drainage area.--1 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation. --Defined by current-meter neasurements below 35 cfs and extended by logarith~ic plotting. 

Remarks. --1-io diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

'Jater Gage 

year Date height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1946 Apr. 11, 1946 1.94 30 

1947 Feb. 14, 1947 2.14 43 

1948 Oct. 18, 1947 1.98 43 

1949 Feb. 22, 1949 3.02 203 

1950 Nov. 26, 1949 2.50 110 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 2.78 80 

DESCHUTES RIVER BASIN 

(57) Deschutes River near Ol-ympia, ·::ash. 

L~cation.--Lat 47000 1 4011 , long. 122053 140", in NWtSEt sec. 35, T. 18 N., R. 2 W., 1~ mi upstream 

from mouth ~nd 2~ mi south of Ol-ympia. 

Drainage area.--164 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 3,350 cfs and extended by logarith~ic plotting. 

Remarks.--Uegligible diver~ions at flood stage. No regulation. 

Annua l flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1946 Dec. 29, 1945 7.32 2,800 

1947 Jan. 26, 1947 7.95 3,560 

1948 Mar. 22, 1948 7.12 2,950 

1949 Feb. 18, 1949 8.00 3,860 

1951 Feb. 10, 1951 7.98 4,100 
70 FLOODS IN 'JESTERN ';"!ASIIINGTON 

NISQUALLY RIVER BASIN 

(58) Nisqually Rivar near National~ Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46°45 1 5011 , long. 122°05 1 00", in svrts OJi sec. 29; T. i5 n., R .. 6 E., 100ft downstream from railroad bridge, 1 mi west of National, 2i mi west of Ashford, and 3 mi upstream 

from Mineral Creek. 

Drainage area.--1~3 sq mi. 

Gage. --Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.,--Defined by current-meter measurements below 4,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion. Negligible .regulation at flood stage. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage ater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) -

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 9.96 6,870 1948 Nov. 8, 1947 8.46 5,560 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 8.74 4,830 1949 May 13, 1949 6.78 3,010 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 9.00 5,280 1950 " Nov. 27, 1949 9.60 6,910 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 8.76 5,000 1951 Feb. ll, 1951 8.77 7,170 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 10.34 7,230 

(59) Nisqually River at La Grande, Wash~ 

Location.--Lat 46°50 1 3011 , long. 122019'4011 , in SE%- sec~ 29, T. 16 N .• , R. 4 E., half an.ile downstream from city of Tacoma power plant, and three-quarters of a mile upstrea.."ll from Mashel River. 

Drainage area.--296 sq mi. 

Gage. --Nonre·cording gage used on 1907 and 1910; recording gage thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.-.,-Dsfined by current-meter measurements below 13,000 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarlts. --No diversions. Flood stages regulated by Alder Re~ervoir since November 1944 (usable 

capacity 158,700 acre-ft). Records for 1907, 1910, 1920-25, 1928-31 at site 3 mi upstream 

published as Nisqually River near La Grande. Records for 1932-44 computed on basis of records 

of Nisqually River near A.lcier. · 

Annual flood peaks 

Recur- RecurWater Gage Dis- renee ~vater Gage Dis- renee 

year Date height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) (M) val 

year Date height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) (M) val 

(yr) (yr) 

1907 Nov. 15, 1906 19.1 16,600 - -

1910 Mar. 2, 1910114.2 10,600 - -

1935 Oct. 25, 1934 - 16,900 6 6.83 

1936 Jan. 12, 1936 - 7,320 ;33 11.24 

193'7 Apr. 14, 193'7 - 9,520 25 1.64 

1958 Apr. 18, 1938 - 11,300 17 2.41 

Change in datum 1939 Jan. 2, 1939 - '7,820 30 1.3'7 

1920 ·Dec. 24, 1919 - 11,000 20 2._05 

1921 Dec. 30, 1920 12.8 11,800 i3 3.15 1940 Dec. 15, 1939 - 11,600 15 2.73 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 15.6 l9,5oo ·· 2 20.50 

1923 Jan. 7, 1923 14.2 16,100 i3 5~12 

1941 Jan. 18, 1941 - 5,880 3'7 1.11 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 - 11,200 19 2.16 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 -· 15,200 9 4.56 

1924 Feb. 12, 1924 12.7 12,400 11 3.73 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 - 9,980 24 1.71 

1925 Feb. 3, 1925 11.0 8,610 ~7 1.52 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945 7.4 12,000 12 3.42 

1928 Nov. 25, 1927 - 11,300 16 2.56 1946 Dec. 31, 1945 7.15 1.0' 600 22 1.86 

1929 Dec. 10, 1928 - 4.,590 39 1.05 1947 Dec. 14, 1946 7.97 11,600 14 2.93 

1930 Dec. 14, 1929 - 6,070 35 1.17 1948 Jan. 2, 1948 6.66 8,360 28 1.46 

1931 Mar. 31, 1931 ;.. 10,700 21 1.95 1949 May 13, 1949 6.19 6,690 34 1.21 

1932 Feb~ 26, 1932 - 17,200 5 8,20 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 7.07 10,300 23 1.78 

1933 Nov. 13, 1932 - 14,800 10 4.10 1951 Feb. 10, 1951 8.50 .16, 900 7 5.86 

1934 Dec. 22, 1933 - 29,400 1 41.00 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 71 

NISQUALLY RIVER BASIN 

-h"'l+f lffff 

ttH 

32 oor~l= -+ j ~~r-t 

, t--r-

'd28, 00 s:: 

0 

() 

(1) 

(~ 

H24,00 

() 

•rl . 

'§ 

0 16,00 

s:: 

..-I 

<D" 

bO 

t-- . 

-·-· 

---

~ 12, OOO--!----

~ () 

(~ 

..-I 

r=l 

8,00 

4, OOCt--; 

f 

0 

1.01 1.1 1.2 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 100 200 

Recurrence interva~ in years 

Figure 19. --Frequency of annual floods, Nisqually River at La Gl'ande, Wash . 

( 60) Nisqually River near McKenna, vVash. 

Location.--Lat 46°51'1511 , long. 122°27'10", in SEi sec. 20, T. 16 N., R. 3 E., 800ft downstream 

from Elbow Creek, three-quarters of a !llile upstream from Tanwax Creek, and 7 " 4 mi southeast of 

McKenna. 

Drainage area.--445 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is 373.6 ft above mean sea level (from stadia traverse). 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 16,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversion at flood stage. Flooa flows regulated by Alder Reservoir since 

November 1944 (usable capacity 158,700 acre-ft). 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Dischq.rge 

(ft) ( cfs-) 

Hater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1942 Dec. 19, _1941 10.60 16,000 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 10.67 16,400 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 9.30 10,800 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945 10.22 14,400 

1946 Dec. 31, 1946 9.13 10,500 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 11.45 17,000 

1948 Jan. 2, 1948 9.31 10,300 

1949 Dec. 9, 1948 8.69 8 ,460 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 9.56 11,100 

1951 Feb. 11, 1951 11.37 17 700 
72 FLOODS IN VJESTERN WASHINGTON 

NISQUALLY RIVER BASIN 

(61) Miner~l Creek near Mineral, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46°44 1 20", long. 122008 1 2011 , in swt sec. 35, T. 15 N., R. 5 E ., three-eir)1t hs of a 

mile downstream from railroad bridge, 1 mi upstrean from mouth, and 2~ mi northeast of Mineral. 

Drainage area.--75 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--De fined by current-meter measureYnents below 3,400 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or rec;ulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

':late r Gage \"la ter Gac;e 

year Date height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs ) 

1943 lJov . 23, 1942 7.52 4,750 1948 Jan. 1, 1948 5.91 2,640 

1 944 Dec . 3, 1943 6 . 06 2,860 1949 Feb. 17, 1949 6.49 3,270 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 7. 43 4,610 1950 Nov. 27, 1949 7.38 4,790 

1946 De c. 28, 1945 6.76 4 ,130 1951 Feb. 9, 1951 7.65 4,790 

1947 Dec . 11, 1946 8 .25 5,240 

(62) Little rtisqually River near Alder, ash, 

Location.--Lat 46047 1 20", long. 122018 14511 , in NWi sec. 16, T. 15 N., R. 4 E ., 1,500 ft above 

mouth and ~ mi southwest of Alder. 

Drainage area.--27.2 sq mi . 

Gage.--Recording since April 19, 1921. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 1,300 cfs and extended by 

velocity-area method. 

Remarks.--Ho diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

V!ater Gage Vater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1921 Dec. 30-, 1920 6.15 1,920 1932 Feb. 26, 1932 6.6 2,310 

1922 Dec . 11, 1921 6.4 2,020 1933 no v. 10, 1932 5.10 1,470 

1923 Jan. 7, 1923 6.38 2,220 1934 Dec. 20, 1933 6.8 2,430 

1924 Dec. 6, 1923 5.69 1,800 1935 Jan. 22, 1935 5.90 1,890 

1925 Nov. 19, 1924 5.1 1,440 1936 Jan. 12, 1936 4.93 1,370 

1926 Dec. 23, 1925 4.15 975 1937 Apr. 14, 1937 5.75 1, 8 30 

1927 Jan. 2, 1927 5.4 1,680 1938 Dec. 28, 1937 5.6 1,720 

1928 liov. 24, 1927 5.45 1,680 1939 Jan. 2, 1939 4.9 1,370 

1929 Dec. 10, 1928 4.43 1,210 1940 :9ec. 15, 1939 6.00 1,950 

1930 Dec. 14, 1929 4.55 1,270 1941 Jan. 18 , 1941 4.93 1,550 

1931 Feb. 18, 1931 5.50 1,670 1942 Dec. 19, 1941 5.35 1,880 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 5.95 2 400 
GAG IlKi-STATION RECORDS 73 

lTISO:(,TJ\LLY IUVER BASIN 

( 63) Mashel River near La Grande, ·.lash. 

Location.--Lat 46051 1 27", lonc;.122°18'12"; in NEi sec. 21, T. 16 l-L, R. 4 E., 2 mi upstream from 

mouth and 2 mi no.rtheast; of La Grande~ 

Drainage ar.ea. --'79 sq mi. 

·Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is 619.35 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Stage-discharge relation. --Defined by curr~nt-meter neasurem€nits below 2, 200 cfs and extemled by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks. --I~e ligible diversions and regulation at .flood stage. 

Annual flood peaks 

·, ·later Gage 

yea.r Date height Discharge 

(ft) {cf:s) 

l94l Jan. lC., 1941 5.81 1,320 

1942 Dec. 19, 1041 7.16 4,040 

1943 r.,1ar. 1 28 , i943 6.68 2,660 

1944 Dec. 3 , 1943 6,14 1,720 

1945 Feb. 7, 1045 <3. 28 1,910 

1946 lfov. 26, 1945 6.59 2,460 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 9,30 '7,980 

1948 ov~ 7, 1947 7.14 3,SOO 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 7.00 2,660 

1950 Feb. 24, .1950 7.26 2,700 

1951 Feb. 11, i95,l 7.20 3,200 

(64) OJ.:lop Creek near :..:atonville, Wa.'3h, 

Location.--Lat 46052 15011 , lone;. 122016 1 38", in sst sec. 10, ·T. 16 H., R. 4 E., 400ft downstremn 

-rro;-Lynch Creek, 600 ft downstream fror~ outlet of Ohop Lake, and l mi northwest of :Eatonv.ille, 

Drainase area.--35.0 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datu'll of gage is 519.8 ft above mean sea level (from stadia traverse). 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 1,000 cfs and extended by logarit~'llic plotting. 

Remarks. --lJo diversion. Ea tural regulation by Ohop Lake. 

Annual flood peaks 

··1ater Gage 

year Date height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1928 Jan. 3, 1928 2.97 511 

1929 Dec. 10, 1928 . 2.05 288 

1930 Mar. 24, 1930 2.50 416 

1931 Apr. 1, 1931 3.29 666 

1932 Mar. 5, 1932 3.52 732 

Change in datum 

1942 Dec. 20, 1941 4.80 840 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 4.05 485 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 3.66 286 

1945 Apr. 12, 1945 3,78 344 

1946 Jan. 5, 1946 4.54 659 .1947 Dec. 11, 1946 5.97 1,600 

1943 Feb. 26, 1948 3.62 429 

1949 Dec. 9, 1948 4.56 892 

1950 Feb. 25, 1950 3.86 600 

1951 Feb. 11, 1951 4.55 1,080 
'74 FLOODS IN WESTERN VJA S~IINGTON 

NIS(:,J,UALLY ?.IVER BASIN 

( 65) Tanwax Creek near McKenna, ~->l ash. 

Location.--Lat 46°52 1 00", long. 122°2'7 10'~, "in NWtNEt sec. 20, T. 16 N., R. 3 E., · a quarter of a: mile upstream from mouth and '7 mi southeast of McKenna. 

Drainage area.--2'7.2 sq mi. 

Q5g~.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter neasurernents below '300 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting~ 

Remar~.--No diversion. Natural regulation by several lakes. 

Annual flood peaks· 

-- V:Jater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

. - - - (ft) Ccfs) 

1945 Apr. 11, 1945 2.41 181 

1946 Jan. - 1946 2.99 282 

194'7 Dec. 15-, 1946 3.20 328 

1948 Feb. 26, 1948 2.62 206 

1949 Dec. 10, 1948 3.12 3l0 

1950 Feb. 25, 1950 2.89 261 

PUYALLUP RIVER BASIN 

( 66) Puyall_U:p River. near Electr<?!'l,_ \}ash. 

Location. --La t 46054 110", long . . 122002 1'0011 , in NEtmvt sec. · 3, T. 16 N., R. 6 E., l, ooo ft upstream from Puget Sound Power and Light Co~ s fluine headworks, a quarter ofamile downstream 

from Mowich River, and 10 mi southeast of Electron. 

Drainage area.--93 sq mi. 

Ga~.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 6,800 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height _ Discharge 

(ft) . (cfs) 

1911 Nov ~ 10, 1_910 4.6 3, 200 . 

1914 Jan. _4, 1924 - 4.05 2~610 

1915 Nov. 13, 1914 3.25 2~0'70 

1916 Dec. 21, 1~15 4.4 2;900 

1911 July l '7, 1911 3·.3o 1,9'70 

i9i8 Dec. 18, 19~'7 6.4 4,800 

1919 Jari. 23; 1919 6.8 . 3,610 

1920 Dec. 24,; 1919 4.47 1,890 

1921 Dec. 30, 1920 5.72 2,6'70 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 6.65 4,560 

1923 Jan~ 6, 1923 6.45 4,350 

1925 Dec. 11, 1924 5.18 2,830 

Change in datum 

1945 Feb. '7, 1945 '7.64 4,590 

1946 Dec. 21, 1945 · '7.15 3,830 .194'7 Dec. 11, 1946 8.'75 9,160 

1948 Nov. 7, 194'7 8.16 6,580 

1949 Nov. 23, 1948 7.02 3,320 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

PUYALLUP RIVER BASIN 

(67) Puyallup River near Orting, ··!a sh. 

Location. --La t 47°02 1 30" , long. 122°12 i 20", in ai sec. 1 '7, T. 18. lJ., R. 5 

Orting and '7~ mi upstream from Carbon River. 

Drainage area.--1'70 sq mi. 

Qage.--Recording. 

4 mi south of 

Stage-dis charge relatiop,--Defined by current-meter measurements below 8 ,100 cfs. Stage-

. discharge relation shifts frequently. 

Remark s.--Water diverted for Electron power plant is returned t o river above r;a g e. Negligible 

regulation by power plant at flood stage. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage '·Nater Gag e 

year Date height Discha rge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharg e 

(ft) (cf s) 

1932 Fe h. 26, 1932 8 . 9 8 6,950 

1933 Nov. 13, 193 2 11.3 11,800 

1934 Dec. 10, 1933 11. 8'7 12, 8 00 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 8 .22 6,'700 

1943 ·Nov. 23, 1 942 9.18 '7, 450 

· 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 3 .35 5, 8 00 

1 935 Nov. 5, 1934 9.02 8 ,900 1945 Jan. '7, 1945 7.'70 5,240 

1936 June '7, 1936 6 .95' 4, 8 50 1946 Dec. 28, 194E: '7.60 5,530 

1937 Apr. 1 4 , 193'7 '7.3'7 4,640 1947 Dec. 11, 1946 '7.8'7 11 , 200 

1938 Apr. 18, 1938 9.14 8 ,680 

1939 Feb. 15, 1939 7.64 5,11.0 

1948 Nov. '7, 194'7 '7.66 8 , 300 

1949 Feb. 1'7, 1949 6.60 4 .,'720 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 8~04 5,600 1950 Nov. 2'7, 1949 '7.80 9,720 

1941 Nov. 29, 1940 '7.90 5,600 1951 Feb. 11, 1951 8.0 6,200 

(68) Puyallup River at Alderton, Wash. I 

75 

Location.--Lat 47°11 1Q5", long. !1.22°13 1 4511 , at highway bridge, on line between s ec. 25, T. 20 N., 

R. 4 E., and sec. 30, T. 20 N~, R. 5 E., 1 mi north 6f Alderton. 

Drainage area. --438 sq mi. 

Gage. --Nonrecording gage read once daily 1916-27. Recording gage 1944-51. 

Stage-discharge relation.; --Defined by currerit-riieter measurements below 14,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. · 

Remarks. --All diversions returned to river above gage·. . Negligible· regul ation at flood stage. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Di s charge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Dis charge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1916 Dec. 22, 1915· 8.60 12,800 1927 Oct. 1'7, 1926 4.40 5,'7'70 

1917 Dec. 13, 1916 5.90 6,630 

1918 Dec. 18, 1917 12.6 19,300 Change in datum 

1919 Jan. 23; 1919 10.0 12,200 1944 Dec. '3, 1943 54.39 14,600 

1920 Jan. 28, 1920 6.75 8,360 1945 Jan. '7, 1945 53.59 12,'700 

1946 Dec. 29, 1945 54.23 13,900 

1921 D.ec. 30.r 1920 '7.58 11;200 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 11.5 21,200 

1923 Jan. 6, 1923 8.7 15,000 

1924 Feb. 12, 1924 6.50 10,200 

1925 Dec. 11, 1924 5.86 8,380 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 56.80 22,600 

1948 Nov. 8, 1947 54.42 14,600 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 53.12 10,600 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 53.74 12,500 

1951 Feb. 11, 1951 54.89 16,200 

1926 Dec. .21, 1925 5.25 6,930 
76 FLOODS IN rJESlliRN iVASIIINGTON 

PUYALLUP RIVER BASIN 

(69) Puyallup River at Puyaliup, 'J ash. 

Location.--Lat 47012 1 2011 , lonG. 122°19 1 3011 , in Imt sec. 20, T. 20 N., R. 4 E., l mi northwest of 

Puyallup and 7 mi upstream from mouth. 

ina~ea. --048 sq mi. 

Gage. --Recording. Datum of e; age since lTovember 1935 is at mean sea level, datum of 192£·. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 22,000 cfs and extended by 

lor,arithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--All diverted water returned to river above gage. Flood water regulated by Uud Mountain 

reservoir on :·!hi te River since 1944. Ne gligible regulation by Lake Tapps and Electron power 

plant at flood stage. 

Annual flood peaks 

RecurHater Gage renee year Date height Discharge Order interval 

(ft) (cfs) (M) (yr) 

1915 Nov. 3, 1914 26.6 9,390 37 l.ll 

1916 Dec. 22, 1915 31.9 22,.500 16 2.56 

1917 Dec. 13, 1916 28.12 14,400 31 1.32 

1918 Dec. 18 , 1917 34.15 40,500 2 20.50 

1919 Jan. 23, 1919 32.04 36,400 5 8.20 

Change in datum 

1920 Jan. 20, 1 920 10.4 16,500 28 1.46 

1921 Dec. 30, 1920 13.6 24,900 14 2.93 

1922 Dec. 13, 1921 17.05 35,600 6 6.83 

1923 Jan. 6, 1923 14.98 31,000 10 4.10 

1924 Feb. 12, 1924 12.0 21,700 19 2.16 

1925 Dec. 11, 1924 10.70 18,600 22 1.86 

1926 Dec. 23, 1925 9.4 15,800 29 1.41 

1927 Oct. 16, 1926 9.43 14,500 30 1.37 

1928 Nov. 25, 1927 13.55 25,400 13 3.15 

1929 June 14, 1929 7.17 8,610 38 1.08 

1930 Mar. 25, 1930 6.92 8,390 39 1.05 

1931 Apr. l, 1931 .11.13 19,800 21 1.95 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 16.0 33,000 9 4.56 

1933 Nov. 13, 1932 17.1 37,800 4 10.25 

1934 Dec. 10, 1933 21.4 57,000 1 41.00 

1935 Oct. 25, 1934 15.82 39,500 3 13.67 

Change in datum 

1936 June 8, 1936 16.49 14,000 32 1.28 

1937 Apr. 15, 1937 18.12 17,800 25 1.64 

1938 Apr. 18, 1938 23.64 33,900 7 5.86 

1939 Feb. 15, 1939 16.68 13,000 34 1.21 

1940 Feb. 10, 1940 15.86 11,500 35 1.17 

1941 Nov. 29, 1940 18.80 18,400 23 1.78 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 20.48 22,500 1'7 2.41 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 21.56 25,700 12 3.42 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 19.67 19,900 20 2.05 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 20.23 21,800 18 2.28 

1946 Dec. 29, 1945 22.14 23,800 15 2.73 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 25.78 33,800 8 5.12 

1948 lJov. 8, 1 947 19.60 17,700 26 1.58 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 17.86 14,000 33 1.24 

1950 Mar. 4, 1950 18.40 17,400 27 1.52 

1951 Feb. ll, 1951 23.0 30,600 ll 3.73 
f--1-

80,000 

'd70, 000 1=:1 

0 

~ 

Cil 

H60,000 

Q) 

p., 

.j..) 

Q) 

~5o, ooof-- ~ f--l- o 

...-l 

.g 

0 40., 000 1=:1 

...-l 

f-.- -

10,000_ 

o= 

1.01 

GAGING-STATION RECORDS 77 

PUYALLUP RIVER BASIN 

. ~ __ f-:-t H- +1= .. ,_ - rTH-+ 

1-· 

- 1= - 1- I-· .. 

1·-- I- -

1.1 1.2 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 100 200 

Recurrence interva~ in years 

Figure 20.--Frequency of annual floods, Puyallup River at Puyallup, ·.-:ash. 

(70) Kapowsin Creek near Kapowsin, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46°59 1 4511 , long. 122°11 1 45", i n 1mt sec. 5, T. 17l'L, R. 5 E ., half amile down-

---s:tr'ea.."!l from Kapowsin Lake and ~ mi eas t of Kapowsin. 

Drainage area.-~23 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datwn of gage is 561 ft above mean sea level (from stadia traverse). 

Stage-discharge relation. --Defined by current-meter measurements below 525 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion. Natural regulation by Kapowsin Lake. 

Annual flood peaks 

Recur- Recur- ater Gage Dis- renee :Vater Gage Dis- renee year Date · height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) (f,O val 

year Date height ch arg e Order inter-

(ft) (cfs ) (M) val 

(y-p) (yr) 

1928 Jan. .:1. 1928 3.31 302 21 1.95 ~' 1929 Mar. 29, 1929 2.56 149 38 1.08 

1930 Feb. 15, 1930 2.68 189 34 1.21 

1931 Apr. 2, 1931 3.20 283 23 1.78 

1932 Mar. 6, 1932 3.78 393 19 2.16 

1945 Apr. 11, 1945 3.44 160 37 l.ll 

1946 Jan. 5, 1946 4.69 397 17 2.41 

1947 Dec. 12, 1946 5.69 605 4 10.25 

1948 Feb. 26, 1948 4.02 26 0 25 1.64 

1949 Dec. 10, 1948 4 .78 417 14 2. 93 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 5.09 546 7 5.86 

1943 Nov. 24, 1942 4.34 324 20 2.05 

1944 Dec. 4, 1943 3.56 168 36 1.14 

1950 Feb. 26, 1950 4.63 420 13 3.15 

1951 Feb. 12, 1951 5.75 710 3 13. 67 
78 FLOODS IN !ESTERN WASHINGTON 

Pu£ALL UP RIVER BAS IN 

900 - -I --

--- 800 

'd 700 ~ 

0 

() 

Q) 

CQ 

H 600 Q) 

p, 

-1-J 

Q) 

Q) 

CH 500 

() 

•r-1 

'§ 

() 

~ 40 

•r-1 

Q).., 

bO 

~ 30 

.!:1 

() 

CQ 

•r-1 

(:::) 

20 

10 

0 

l.Ol l.l 1.2 1.5 2 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 

Recurrence interval> in years 

Figure 21.--Frequency of annual floods, Kapowsin Creek near KapoWsin, Wash. 

(?l) Carbon River near Fairfax, Vlash . 

·.~-

-~· 

1--·-

100 

~it-. 

tf: 

200 

Location.--Lat 47°01 13011 , long. 122°02 1 0011 , in swt sec. 22, T. 18 N., R. 6 E. , lt mi northwest of 

Fairfax and 12 mi upstream from Voights Creek~ 

Drainage area.--81 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording in 1912. Recording since April 1929. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 4,500 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 
Water 

year 

1912 Nov. 

1930 Feb. 

1931 Mar: 

1932 Feb. 

1933 Nov. 

1934 Dec. 

1935 Oct. 

1936 June 

1937 Apr. 

1938 Apr. 

1939 Dec. 

7,000 

'0 

l=l 

0 

() 

Q) 

~') 6, 000 H 

Q) 

P; 

.j.) 

t-- · 

t--- . 

~ 5,000 G-.! I--

() 

or! 

'§ () 4, 000 

l=l 

or! 

Q) ... 

~3,000 

t1l 

,.q 

() 

U) 

or! 

A 2, 000 

1,000 

0 

1.01 

GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

PUYALLUP RIVER BASIN · 

(~l) Carbon River near Fairfaxi Wa sh.--Continued 

Annual flood peaks 

RecurGage Dis- renee Water Gage DisDate height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) (M) val 

year Date height charge 

(ft) (cfs) 

(yr) 

19, 1911 10.5 3,200 19 2.16 1940 May l, 1940 3.87 1,810 

1941 lJov. 29 , 1940 5.80 4,040 

Change in datum 1942 Dec. 19, 1941 4.75 2,58 0 

5, 1930 5.13 1,770 40 1.02 1943 l'Jov. 23, 1942 6.35 4,760 

31, 1931 6.07 2,340 :!8 1.46 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 6.57 5,020 

26, 1932' 7.74 4,390 13 3.15 

13, 1932 8.5 5,370 5 8 .20 1945 Jan. 7, 1945 6.10 L1' 370 

1946 Dec. 28 ; 1945 6.25 4,500 

9, 1933 10.2 8,030 l 41.00 1947· Dec. ll, 1946 6.97 5,960 

25, 1934 7.75 5,030 7 5.86 1948 Nov. 7, 1947 6.15 4,330 

7, 1936 4.51 2,550 25 1.64 1949 Nov. 23, 1943 4.60 2,440 

14, 1937 3.98 1, 810 39 1.05 

18, 1938 6.98 5,560 4 10.25 1950 Nov. 27, 1949 5.40 3,470 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 6.10 4,480 

7, 1938 4.73 2,640 22 1.86 

l.l 1.2 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 

Recurrence interva~ in years 

Figure 22.--Frequency of annual floods, Carbon River near Fairfax, Wash. 

Order 

(r.'l ) 

38 

16 

24 

10 

8 

14 

ll 

3 

15 

27 

18 

12 

100 

79 

Recurrenee 

interval 

(yr) 

1.08 

2.56 

1.71 

4.10 

5.12 

2.93 

3.73 

13.67 

2,73 

1.52 

2.28 

3.42 

. +t:. -+i. 

:t1 

200 
80 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

PUYALLUP RIVSR BASllJ 

(72) White River at Greenwater, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°08 1 5011 , long, 121°38 1 5011 , in SEt sec. 10, T, 19 N., R. 9 E., three-quarters of a 

mJ.le southeast of Greenwater, three-quarters of amile. upstream from Greenwater River, and 25 

mi upstream from Buckley. 

Drainage area.--216 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter mea s urements below 4,200 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting, 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood pealrn 

Water Gage 'Nater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date he i[jht Discharge 

(ft) (cfs)· 

1930 Feb, 19, 1930 - 2,000 1941 Nov. 29, 1940 4,80 2,690 

1931 Mar. 31, 1 931 4.81 2,740 1942 Dec, 2, 1941 4,69 2,500 

1932 Feb, 26, 1932 7.73 7,110 1943 Nov. 23, 1942 5.79 4,110 

1933 Nov, 13, 1932 6.9 5,700 1944 Dec, 3, 1943 4.66 2,500 

1934 Dec, 21, 1933 9,38 12,100 1945 Jan. 7, 1945 5.45 4,080 

1935 Nov, 5, 1934 6.15 5,440 1946 Dec, - 1945 6.17 5,620 

1936 Ma y 14, 1936 4,59 2,470 1947 Dec, ll, 1946 6.98 7,460 

1937 June 21, 1937 5.08 4,210 1948 May 28, 1948 5.52 5,000 

1938 Apr. 18, 1938 5.66 5,440 1949 May 13, 1949 5.22 4 ,220 

1939 May 29, 1939 4.59 2,470 1950 Nov. · 27, 1949 6.57 8,800 

1 940 Nov, 16, 1939 4,16 1,78 0 1951 Feb. ll, 1951 5.90 5,550 

(73) '\!Vhite River near Buckley, Wash, 

Location.--Lat. 47°09 1 0511 , long , 121°57 1 0011 , in s wtmvt sec. 8, T. 19 N., R. 7 E., 0.7 mi upstream 

from Red Creek, 3 mi east of Buckley, and 8 mi downstream from Clearwater River. 

Drainage area.--403 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is at mean sea level, datum of 1929, since 1939. 

Stage-discharge relat:ton.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 9,000 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting, 

B._e~. --No diversion. Since 1944 flow regulated by Mud Mountain Reservoir for flood control, 

Records for 1929-33 at site 3 mi upstream. Records for 1912 and 1923 computed on basis of 

records for Vlhite River at Buckley, 

Annual flood peaks 

'llater Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1912 Nov, 19, 1911 - 13,000 1941 Nov. 29, 1940 805.67 7,600 

1942 Dec. -'19, 1941 805.94 7,550 

1923 Jan. 6, 1923 - 12,900 1943 Nov. 23, 1942 806.77 9,950 

1944 Dec, 3, 1943 805.45 7,320 

1929 May 24, 1929 8.95 4,280 1945 Jan, 7, 1945 806.30 8,820 

1930 Mar. 25, 1930 9.43 4,870 

1931 Mar. 31, 1931 12.74 9, 850 1946 Dec. 29, 1945 807.22 10,600 

1932 Feb, 26, 1932 17.5 17,000 1947 Dec, 11, 1946 807.70 12,300 

1933 Nov. 13, 1932 17.2 16,500 1948 Nov. 8, 1947 805.76 7,580 

1949 May 12, 1949 805.54 6,950 

Change in datuni 1950 Nov, 28 , 1949 805.63 7,580 

l$39 Mar. 24, 19391803.18 4,270 

1940 Feb, 10, 1940 8 03.48 4,060 1951 Feb. 12, 1951 806.70 9,650 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 81 

PUYALLUP RIVER BASIN 

(74) Greenwater ~iver at Greenwater, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°09'15 11 , long, 121°38'0011 , in N\ll[tNWt sec. 11, T, 19 N., R. 9 E., 1 mi upstream 

from mouth and 1 mi east of Greenwater. 

Drainage area.--74 sq mi. 

Gage. --Nonrecording gage prior to May 1929; recording thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 1,900 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--Ho diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

'!later Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1912 Nov. 19, 1911 - 2,800 1S40 Feb. 10, 1940 4.02 567 

1941 Nov. 29, 1940 4.40 773 

1930 Mar. 25, 1930 4.16 753 1942 June 11, 1942 4.61 924 

1931 Apr. 1, 1931 4.63 850 1943 Nov. 23, 1942 4.60 920 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 5.33 1;490 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 4.01 575 

1933 Nov. 16, 1932 6.40 2,200 

1934 Dec. 9, 1933 9.24 4,140 1945 Jan. 7, 1945 4~75 990 

1946 Dec. 28, 1 945 5.64 1,760 

193~ Jan, 23, 1935 5.20 1,320 1947 Dec. 11, 1946 7.50 3,520 

1936 May 5, 1936 4.48 840 1948 May 28, 1948 5.52 1, 8 90 

1937 May 4, 1937 4,34 748 1949 May 13, 1949 5.09 1,540 

1938 Apr. 18, 1938 5.33 1,410 

1939 Dec. 8, 1938 4.80 1,110 1950 June 17, 1950 4.85 1,210 

1951 Feb. 11, 1951 4 .79 1,130 

DUW.AMISH RIVER BASIN 

(75) Green River near Palmer, Wash, 

Location.--Lat. 47°17'40", long . 121°49'20.", in S"c'I%N'N% sec. 20, T. 21 N., R. 8 E ., l t mi upstream 

from d ivers ion dam and intake of Tacoma water-supply system, 2-! mi downstream from North Fork 

and 4 mi southeast of PaL~er. 

Drainage area.--231 sq mi. 

Gage.--Record ing. Datum of gage is 912.6 ft above mean sea level (river-profile survey). 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 21,400 cfs and extended by logarith~ic plotting. 

Remark s .--Flood of December 1 917 wa s said to have reached a depth of 15 ft over the diversion 

dam of the city of Tacoma (estimated discharge 30,000 cfs). No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Recur- RecurVlater Gage Dis- renee Water Gage Dis- renee year Date height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) (J.;'[) ' val 

year Date height charge Order inter- . (ft) (cfs) (M) val 

(yr) (yr) 

1918 Dec. - 1 917 - 30,000 l 41.00 1941 Nov. 29, 1940 13.05 8 ,070 26 1.58 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 12.92 7,900 27 1.52 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 17.65 17,400 4 10.25 1943 Nov. 23, 1942 14.68 11,200 16 2 .. 56 

1933 Nov. 13, 1932 16.54 14,900 8 5.12 1944 Dec. 3, 1 943 16.18 14,600 9 4.56 

1934 Dec. 9, 1933 19.4 21,700 3 13.67 1945 Jan. 7, 1945 15. 8 13,600 10 4.10 

1935 Oct. 25, 1934 15.75 13,400 ll 3.73 

1936 Jan. 4, 1 936 12.37 7,080 33 1.24 1946 Dec. 28, 1945 14.84 11,400 15 2.73 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 19.95 23,200 2 20.50 

1937 Apr. 14, 1937 11.40 5,58 0 37 1.11 1948 Nov. 7, 1947 13.29 8 ,510 24 1.71 

1938 Apr. 18, 1938 15.74 13,200 13- 3.15 1949 Feb. 17, 1949 12.61 7,340 29 1.41 

1939 Dec. 7, l93S 11.89 6,300 34 1.21 1950 Mar. 4, 1950 13.64 9,050 20 2.05 

1940 Feb. 10, 1940 10.93 5,040 39 1.05 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 16.17 16J 000 6 6.83 
82 

40,00 

'd35' 00 Q 

0 

C) 

Q) 

OJ 

H30,00 

Q) 

p. 

.p 

Q) 

~25 ,oo 

a>"' 

bO 

~15,00 

..c: 

C)· 

OJ 

..-1 

A 

10,00 

5,00 

1.01 

FLOODS DJ -~/E TERN WASHI NGTON 

DU'tiVAM ISH RIVER BAS IN 

1.1 1.2 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 100 200 

Recurrence intervalJin years 

Figure 23.--Frequency of annual floods, Green River near Palmer, Wash. 

(76) Green River near Black Diamond, Wash. 

l:!£_cation.--Lat 47°17 1 00", ·long. 122°03 1 30", in NWt sec. 28, T. 21 N., R. 6 E., at hi~hway bridge 

three-quarters ofamile upstream from Newaukum Creek and 3 mi southwest of Black Dlamond. 

rrrainage area.--286 sq mi. 

Gage. --Nonrecord:i,ng gage read twice . dai ly prior to November 1944 ~ recording thereafter. 

of gage is 158.5 ft above mean sea level (river-profile survey). 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversion at flood stage. No regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1940 Feb. 10, 1940 5.32 4,710 

194l Nov. 29, 1940 6.55 8,680 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 6.46 8,360 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 7.38 11·,000 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 7.74 12,000 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 8.22 14,400 

1946 Dec. 29, 1945 7.85 11,100 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 11.24 21,100 

1948 Nov •. 8, 1947 6.89 8t730 

Datum 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 83 

DUW.Alv'IISH RIVER BASIN 

( 7'7) Green River near Auburn, vVash. 

Locati~.--Lat 47°18 1 1511 , long. 122012 1 10", in lot 3, sec. 1'7, T. 21 N., R. 5 E ., li mi east of 

Auburn and 2 mi downstream from Bi g Soos Creek. 

Drainag~~ea.--386 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is at mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 20,000 cfs. 

Remar~s.--J: egligible diversion at flood stage. No regulation. 

Water 

year 

1927 

1938 

1939 

1940 

1941 

1942 

1943 

'd 35' 00 

!=: 

0 

C) 

<D 

Ul30,00 

H 

<D · p. 

+> 

~ 25,00 G-i 

C) 

..-i 

'§ 

o20,00 

!=: 

..-+ 

<D" 

~15,00 t1l 

.r:: 

C) 

Ul 

..-i 

t::110,00 

5,00 

Apr. 

Apr. 

Dec. 

Feb. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Nov. 

0 

l.Ol 

Gage 

Date · height 

(ft) 

15, 1937 61.37 

18, 1938 65.88 

8, 1938 60.25 

10, 1940 59.90 

29, 1 94 0 61.60 

19, 1941 62.43 

23, 1942 63.42 

l.l 1.2 1.5 

Annual flood peaks 

RecurDis- renee Water 

charge Order inter-

(cfs) (M) val 

year Date 

(yr) 

6,820 35 1.17 1944 Dec. 3, 

14,400 10 4.10 1945 Jan. 7, 

5,420 38 1.08 1946 Dec. 29, 

5,150 39 1.05 194'7 Dec. ll, 

7,290 34 1.21 1948 Nov. 8, 

9,310 25 1.64 1949 Feb. 1'7, 

10,900 19 2.16 1950 Mar. 4, 

1951 Feb. 10, 

2 3 4 5 6 8 10 

Recurrence interva~ in years 

Gage Dishe ight 

(ft) 

charge 

(cfs) 

1943 64.60 12, 900 

1945 64.98 13,600 

1945 64.31 12, 800 

1946 68.16 22, 000 

1947 62.21 8,960 

1949 62.51 9,4'70 

1950 63 •. 8 2 11, 800 

1951 6'7.00 17,700· 

20 30 40 50 

Figure 24.--Frequency of annual floods, Green River near Auburn, Wash. 

Recurr enee 

Order inter-

(M) val 

(yr) 

15 2.'73 

12 3.42 

16 2.56 

2 20.50 

2'7 1.52 

24 1.'71 

1'7 2.41 

4 10.25 

100 200 
84 FLOODS IN i'"JESTERN WASHINGTON 

LAKE WASIIDTGTON BAS IN 

(78) North Fork Cedar River near Lester, nash. 

Location.--Lat 47°19 1 0011 , long. 121°29 1 3011 , inS-?;- sec. 11, T. 21 N., R. 10 E., at falls 1-~ mi 

upstream from South Fork and 7~ mi north of Lester. 

Drainage area.-~8.8 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge_relatlon.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 340 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarlcs.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gar;e 

year Date height Discharge 

( f"t) (cfs) 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 7.37 1,600 

1946 Oct. 25, 1945 5.85 768 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 7.08 1,000 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 - 645 

1949 May 12, 1949 5.91 590 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 6.92 960 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 7.60 1,300 

(79) Cedar River below Bear Creek, near Cedar Falls, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°20 1 40", lonr;. 121°33-1 0011 , in SE%SE% sec. 32, T. 22 N., R. 10 E., 500 ft downstream from Bear Creek and 12 mi southeast of Cedar Falls. 

Drainage area.--25.4 sq mi. 

Gag£.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below G50 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peru{S 

Water Gage 

year Date height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 5.40 1,100 

1947 Dec. 11, . 1946 6.32 1,940 

1948 May 28, 1948 5.70 1,250 

1949 May 13, 1949 5.50 1,090 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 6.00 1,510 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 6.3·0 1,800 
GAGILG-STATIOH RECORDS 85 

LAKE WASHINGTON BASIN 

(80) Cedar River near Cedar Falls, ash. 

Location.--Lat 47022 ~0", long. 121037 1 3011 , in SEtswt sec. 23, T. 22 N., R. 9 E., 2 mi upstream 

from Cedar Lake and 8 mi southeas.t of Cedar Falls. 

Drainage area.--41.8 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 1,700 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

\Vater Gage 

year Date height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 7.18 2,160 

1947 :Uec. 14, 1946 9.81 3,840 

1948 lTov . 7_, 1947 6.73 1,920 

1949 May 13, 1949 5.93 1,470 

1950 Nov: 27, 1949 7.63 2,460 

1951 Feb. 11, 1951 10.98 4,680 

( Dl) Cedar River at Cedar Falls, ·,·Ja sh. 

Location.--Lat 47°25 1 1011 , lone;. 121°47 1 20'1, in sec. 4, T. 22 H., R. 8 E., three-quarters of a mile· 

downstream fror1 Seattle municipal power plant at Cedar Falls and 3 mi d ownstream from Cedar 

Lake. 

Drainage area.--86 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recbrding. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 3,800 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks. -- o diversion. Considerab le regulation by Cedar Lalce Reservoir at flood st~ge. 

Annual flood peaks 

Ha ter Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date heigh t Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1915 Apr. 5, 1915 6.30 910 1934 Dec. 22, 1933 11.5 6,120 

1916 Mar. 12, 1916 7.48 1,800 

1917 June 17, 1917 7.78 2,000 

1935 Jan. 25, 1935 9.61 3,270 

i936 May 16, 1936 7.96 l, 940 

1918 uec . 19, 1917 11.4 6,290 1937 June 20, 1937 7.64 1,600 

1919 Jan. 23, 1919 6.9 1,280 1938 nov. 29, 1937 8.07 2,020 

1920 Jan. 31, 1920 6.06 776 1939 Jan. 25, 1939 7.07 1,100 

1921 Jan. 5, 1921 6.02 748 1940 Mar. 8, 1940 7.44 1,310 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 10.52 4,500 1941 Nov. 28, 1940 6.75 742 

1923 Jan. 10, 1923 8.72 2,790 1942 June 15, 1942 6.85 822 

1924 Feb. 12, 1924 6.44 915 1943 June 10, 1943 6.98 924 

1925 Feb. 7, 1925 7.611 1,880 1944 May 24, 1944 6.92 866 

1926 Jan. 21, 1926 6.22 765 1945 Jan. 7, 1945 7.02 946 

1927 June 10, 1927 6.90 1,210 1946 May 29, 1946 7.32 1,140 

1928 Jan. 13, 1928 9.33 3,4~0 1947 Dec. 14, 1946 9.45 2,880 

1929 Apr. 29, 1929 6.14 714 1948 Nov. 12, 1947 7.77 1,380 

1930 May . 4, 1930 6.56 96.4 1949 May 16, 1949 7.72 1,340 

1931 Mar. 1 4 , 1931 6.30 802 1950 Mar. 5, 1950 8.53 2,020 

1932 Mar. 19, 1932 7.25 1,740 1951 Feb. 11, 1951 10.87 4,300 

1933 Hov. 17, 1932 8.7 3,050 
86 FLOODS IN WESTERN "HASIIINGTON 

LAKl·~ WASIIDTGTON BASIN 

(82) Cedar River near Landsberg, Wash . 

Location.--Lat 4'7023 1 4511 , long. 121056'5011 , in sec. 17, T. 22 N., R. '7 E ., 1 3/4 mi upstream from 

Landsberg and intake of Seattle wat~r-supply system, and 12 mi downstream from Cedar Lake. 

Drainage area. --138 sq mi. 

Gage.--NonrecorCiing gage prior to 1914; recording thereafter. 

Stase-discha~_re~ation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 6,000 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks. --Records for daily mean discharges only ar·e ava ilable for periods 1896 - 98 and 1902-12 

at s ites about 2 mi downstrea~. These have been increased 10 percent to approxL~ate the 

momentary discharge and make them comparable with later records. Negligible diversion at 

flood stage. Considerable regulation of the smaller peaks by operation of Cedar Lake Reservoir since January 1905. Flood of November 19, 1911 due to da~ break. 

Annual flood peaks 

V!ate r Gage '.'!ater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1896 Jan. 9 , 1896 '7.6 3,200 1925 Feb. 8 , 1925 8 . 83 2,'740 

1 89'7 Uov . 15, 1896 10.9 5,850 1926 Jan. 5, l\J26 '7.56 1,720 

1898 Nov . 19, 189'7 9.5 4,750 192'7 Jan. 2, 192'7 7.67 1,820 

1902 Dec •. 24, 1901 3.2 2, 850 

1928 Jan. 13, 1928 10.95 4,860 

1929 Mar. 31, i<J2\J 3.07 1,180 

1903 Jan. 5, 1903 5.6 6,600 

1904 Jan. 15, 1 904 2.6 2,100 1930 Jan. 4, 1930 3 .16 1y350 

1905 May 24, 1905 2.'7 2,200 1 931 Mar. 31, 1931 2.92 1,200 

1 906 Jan. 25, 1906 2.6 2,100 1932 Feb. 26, 1932 5.9 4,860 

1933 Jan. 8, 1933 5.5 4,300 

1907 Nov . 15, 1906 8 .6 12,500 1934 Dec. 22, 1933 7.'7 7,520 

1908 - - - - 4,950 

1909 Jan. 20, 1909 2.5 2,000 1935 Jan. 25, 1935 5.45 4 ,160 

1910 No v. 24, 1909 - 7,000 1936 May 1'7, 1936 3.44 1,900 

1911 - - - - 3,700 193'7 June 20, 1937 3.34 1, 800 

1938 Nov. 29, 193'7 3.91 2,360 

1912 Nov. 19, 1911 - 15,000 1939 Feb, 15, 1939 3.04 1,500 

Change in datum 

1915 Apr. 5, 1915 . '7 .47 1,330 

1916 Mar. 10, 1916 9.75 2,640 

191'7 June 17, 191 '7. 9.0 2,220 

1918 Dec. 29, 191'7 13.55 7,500 

1940 Mar. 7, 1940 3.43 1,880 

1941 No v. 28, 1940 2.52 1,050 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 3.42 1,830 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 3.'70 2,140 

1944 May 24, 1944 2.92 1,380 

1919 Jan. 22, 1919 9.6 3,160 1945 Feb. '7, 1945 3.55 1,970 

1920 Jan. 28, 1920 7.8 1,860 

1921 Feb. 11, 1921 '7.9 1,920 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 12.03 5,960 

1923 Jan. 10, 1923 10.3 4,160 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 3.60 2,040 

1947 Dec. 14, 1946 5.44 4,190 

1948 Nov. ll, 194'7 3.50 1,940 

1949 Feb. 1'7, 1949 3.30 1,'750 

1924 Feb. 12, 1924 9.2 3,100 1950 Mar. 5, 1950 4.56 3,110 

1951 Feb. 11, 1951 6.94 6,100 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

LAKE WASHINGTON BASIN 

(83) South Fork Cedar River near Lester, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47018 '3011 , long. 121°31'00", in SEt sec. 15, T. 21 N., R. 10 E., about threequarters of amile upstream from mouth and 7 mi northwest of Lester. 

Drainage area.--6.0 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 230 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 4.86 878 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 3.64 398 

1947 Dec. ll, 1946 4.79 630 

1948 Nov. 7, 1947 4.58 540 

1949 May 13, 1949 3.82 305 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 5.92 585 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 6.06 655 

(84) Rex River near Cedar Falls, Wash. 

87 

Location. --La t 47°21 '10", long. 121°39 '50", in NEi-NVli- sec. 33, T. 22 N., R. 9 E., 2~ mi upstream 

from mouth and Cedar Lake and 7 mi southeast of Cedar Falls. 

Drainage area.--13,0 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by ·current-meter measurements below 680 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 6.20 1,400 

1948 Nov. 7, 1947 5.48 930 

1949 Nov. 23, 1948 5.31 812 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 5.97 1,220 1951 Feb. ll, 1951 6.27• 1,440 
88 FLOODS !N VffiSTERN WASH~NGTON 

LAKE WASHINGTON BASIN 

(85) Rock Creek near Maple Valley, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°22 1 5011 , long. 122°01 1 00i', in NEt sec~ 22, T. -.22 N., R. 6 E., at mouth 2 mi 

southeast of Maple ·valley. 

Drainage area.--12.6 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage:..discharge relation.--Defined by current-mete~ measurements below 110 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

1Nater Gage 

year ·Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1946 Jan. 7, 1946 2.32 72 

1947 ' Dec. 14, 1946 2.82 105 

1948 Feb. 27, 1948 2.12 8"7 

1949 Dec. 12, 1948 1.86 "72 

1950 Mar< 5, 1950 3.84 200 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 4.28 230 

(86) May Creek near Renton, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°31 1 1011 , long. 122°ll'lO", in SEtsEt sec.; 32, T. 24 N., R. 5 E., 1 mi upstream 

from mouth and 2t mi north of Renton. 

Drainage area.--13.0 sq mi. 

Gag~.~-Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation~--Defined by current-meter measurements below 360 cfs. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversions at flood stage. Nb regulation. 

Annual flood pea.k.s 

Water Gage 

year Date height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

. ( cfs) · 

1946 Dec. 29; 1945 3.14 131 

1947· Dec • 14, 1946 3.45 174 

1948 .Jan~ 2, 1948 3.01 148 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 3.98 401 

1950 Mar.- 4, 1950 3;.9'7 · . 354 
GAGING STATION RECORDS 

LAKE WASHINGTON BASIN. 

(87) Issaquah Creek near Issaquah; Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47028 15511 , iqng. l220d2 110", it1 'Nft sec~ 15, T. 23 N.; R. 6 E., 3l mi south of 

Issaquah and 4 mi upstream from East Fork Issaquah Creek. 

Drainage area.--22.1 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 590 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversions at flood stage. No regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 2.68 452 

1947 Dec. 14, 1946 3.45 675 

1948 Feb. 2$; 1948 3.02 540 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 4.64 1,120 

1950 Mar. 4, 1950 3.60 800 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 4.6 1;550 

(BS) . Sammamish River !;lear Redmond, Wash. 

89 

Location.--Lat 47040 1;1 .. 0", long. 122007 1 2511 , in NEt sec. 11, T. 25 N., R. 5 E., 500ft downstream 

from Bear Creek and. half a mile west of Redmond. Prior to November 14, 1946, staff gage at 

site on left shore of Sammamish Lake 0.6 mi upstream from outlet and 1.8 mi south of Redmond. 

Drainage area.--140 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage prior to 1947;. recording thereafte·r. Datum of recording gage was 32.13 · ft above mean lower low water at Seattle (Corps of Engineers bench mark). On July 9, 1947, 

datum was lowered about 1-?a ft. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversions at flood stage;. Natural regulation by Sammamish Lake. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height 

. (ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1940 Mar. 9, 1940 6.05 689 

1941 Jan. 20, 1941 3.59 370 

1942 Dec. 23, 1941 6.85 672 

1943 Apr. 5, 1943 5.77 541 

1944 Feb. 17, ·1944 3.35 307 

1945 Apr. 12, 1945 6.32 620 

1946 Jan. 9, 1946 7.17 704 

Change in datum 

1947 Dec. 15, 19461 6.40 924 

- Change in datum 

1948 Jan. 101 1948 7.63 860 

1949 Feb. 24, 1949 7.:30 846 

1950 Mar. e, 1950 8.35 1,360 

1951 ' Feb. 11, 1951 9.17 1,700 
90 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

LAKE WASHINGTON BASIN 

(89) Sammamish River at Bothell, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°45'0011 , long. 122°11'3011 , in NW{-SEj sec. 8, T. 26 N., R. 5 E., in Both;ell, a quarter of amlle. downstream from North Cree~ and 44 mi upstream from mouth. 

Drainage area.--19~ sq mi. 

· Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is at mean lower low water at Seattle (Corps of Engineers bench 

mark). 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversions and regulation at flood stage. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date 

1940 Mar. 5, 1940 30.10 878 1946 Feb.· 6, 

1941 Jan, 18, 1941 29.75 752 1947 Feb. 2, 

1942 Dec. 23, 1941 31.07 1,030 1948 Jan. · 8, 

1943 Mar. 28, 1943 30.04 872 1949 Feb. · 22, 

1944 Apr. 25, 1944 27.74 510 1950 Mar. 6, 

1945 Feb. 8, ' 1945 30.36 922 1951 Feb. 12, 

(90) North Creek near Bothell, Wash. 

Gage 

height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1946 30.68 1,070 

1947 31.81 1,290 

1948 31.40 1,210 

1949 32.12 1,5'70 

1950 31.60 1,630 

1951 32.00 1,860 

Location.--Lat 4'7°47'3011 , long. 122°11'50", on line between sees. 29 and 32, T. 27 N., R. 5 E., 

2 mi north of Bothell and. 2i mi upstream from mouth. 

Drainage area.--18.'7 sq mi. 

· Gage. --Recording ~ 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 230 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method·. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversions and regulation at flood stage. 

Annual flood peaks 

[Water Gagt:t Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1946 Feb. 2'7, 1946 3.8'7 280 1949 Feb. 22, 1949 6.04 455 

194'7 Feb. 2, 194'7 5.29 420 1950 Jan. 22, 1950 5.08 365 

1948 Oct. 19., 194'7 4.4'7 323 1951 Feb. 9, 1951 4.02 310 

SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN 

{91) South Fork Skykomish River near Index, Wash• 

Location.--Lat 4'7°48'2011 , long. 121°32'40", in NE{- sec. 29, T. 27 N., R. 10 E., 600ft upstream 

from Sunset Falls, 2 mi upstream from confluence with North Fork, and 2 mi southeast of 

Index. 

Drainage area.--355 sq mi. 

~.--Nonrecording gage read once daily prior to September 1920 and from October 1921 to March ~935. Recording gage used September 1926 to October 1921 and after March 1935. Datum of 

gage is 5'74:.'76 ft above mean sea. level, datum of 1929. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements b~low 1'7,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Record for 189'7 estimated. 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN 

( 91) South Fork Skykomish River near Index, Wash •. --Continued 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs.) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1897 ;,. - - 27.6 70,000 1929 Oct. 9, 1928 9.70 9,490 

1930 Feb. 5, 1930 10.40 10,900 

1931 Feb. 18, 1931 10.50 11,200 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 21.5 49,000 

1903 Jan. 3, 1903 17.4 26,000 

1904 Dec. 1., 1903 ].1.4 10,200 

1905 Nov. 22, 1904 11.0 9,470 1933 Nov. 13, 1932 20.0 42,000 

1912 Nov. 19, 1911 17.0 24,800 1934 Dec. 21, 1933 - 53,000 

1935 Oct. 25, 1934 19.26 35,400 

1914 Jan. 6, 1914 17.0 24.,800 1936 May 16, 1936 11.60 11,800 

1915 Nov. 3, 1914 11.2 11.,400 1937 Dec. 18, 1936 12.85 14,400 

1916 Oct. 31., 1915 12.3 13,500 1938 Apr. 18, 1938 17.32 27,700 

1917 June 24, 1917 11.65 12,800 

1939 Jan. 1,. 1939 14.0 17,200 

1940 Dec. 15, '1939 13.28 15,400 

1918 Dec .• 18., 1917 22.6 57,000 

1919 Dec. 14, 1918 16.0 26,200 1941 Nov. 29, 1940 12.22 13,000 

1920 Nov. 15, 1919 16.5 26.,400 1942 Dec. 2, 1941 12.0 12,600 

1921 Feb. 11, 192.1 14.7 21,000 1943 Nov. 23, 1942 15.37 21,200 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 22.8 45,000 

1923 ' Dec. 24, 1922 14.0 19,200 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 20.8 41,900 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 17.56 28,200 

1924 Feb. 12, 1924 21.8 43.,500 1946 Oct. 25, 1945 14.26 18,400 

1925 Dec. 11., 1924 14.0 19,200 1947 Dec. 11, 1946 16.37 24,700 

1926 Dec. 23, 1925 13.60 18,200 1948 Oct. 19, 1947 17.14 26,900 

1927 Oct. 6, 1926 13.4 17,700 _ 1928 Jan. 12, 1928 17.5 29,400 1949 May 13., 1949 12.52 13,$00 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 19.20 33,700 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 19.29 34,700 

(i;~J:2) Skykomish River near Gold Bar, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47050 1 1511 , long. 121040'0011 , in swt sec. 9, T. 27 N • ., R. 9 E., 2 m·i southeast of 

Gold Bar and 5 mi upstream from Wallace River. 

Drainage area.--535 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording prior to November 1, 1928; recording thereafter. Datum of recording gage 

is 210.01 ft above mean sea level, Unadjusted. 

Stage-discharge r,elation.--Defined by curren t-meter measurements below 32,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1929 Oct. 9, 1928 10.55 18,800 1941 Nov. 28., l940 11.38 21,600 

1930 Feb. 5, 1930 10.44 15,800 1942 Dec. 2, 1941 11.30 21,:100 

1931 Jan. 28., 1931 14.08 35,100 1943 Nov. 23,- 1942 14.08 35,000 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 20.7 74,400 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 19.40 65,400 

1933 Nov. 13, 1932 19.5 66,100 1945 Jan. 7, 1945 16.43 47,400 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 21.3 79,000 1946 Oct. 25, 1945 13.95 34,500 

1935 Oct. 24, 1934 18.28 58,400 1947 Dec. 11, 1946 14.86 40,200 

1936 May 16, 1936 10.91 19;400 1948 Oct. 19, 1947 15.67 45,300 

1937 Dec. 18, 1936 12.19 25,300 1949 Nov. 23, 1948 11.70 22,300 

1938 Apr. 18, 1938 16.37 47,200 1950 Nov. 27, 1949 17.50 56,500 

1939 Jan. 11, 1939 12.92 28,900 1951 Feb.· '10, 1951 19.00 68,000 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 - 21,000 

91 
92 FLOOPS IN WESTERN WASHINGTOJ{ 

SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN 

(93) Snohomish River at Snohomish, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47054'3211 , long. 122°06'0011 , in SEi sec. 13, T. 28 N., R. 5 E., on downstream end 

of drawrest of bridge No. 205 on State Highway lA in Snohomish. Auxiliary gage at county road 

trestle over railroad tracks, 2 mi west of Snohomish and 2! mi downstream from base gage. 

Drainage area.--1,700 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of each gage is 10.00 ft below mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Stage-discharge relation. --Defined by current,-meter measurements. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversion or regulation at flood stage. 

Annual' flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 22.80 33,400 

1943 Nov. 24, 1942 25.86 56,600 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 26.90 64,400 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 26.7 61,000 

1946 Oct. 25, 1945 26.67 55,800 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 27.10 58,700 

1949 Nov. 24, 1948 24.87 47,000 

1951 Feb. 10, 1951 30.05 148,000 

(94) Beckler River near Skykomish, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°44'2011 , long. l2lol9'1011 · in SWi sec. 18, T. 26 N., R. 12 E., a quarter of amile 

downstream from Eagle Creek, 2i mi upst~eam from mouth, and 3 mi northeast of Skykomish. 

Drainage area.--95 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 4,400 cfs and extended by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Record for 1950 from high-water mark. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1930 Feb. 5, 1930 5.71 2,380 

1931 Jan. 28, 1931 7.15 4,050 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 9.10 10,000 

1933 Nov. 13, 1932 9.6 10,900 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 '7.88 5,790 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 8.33 6,580 

1949 May 13, 1949 7.01 4,140 

1950 Nov. 27' 1949 9.40 9,600 
GAGWG•~TATION RECORDS 

SNOHOM!SH RIVER BASIN 

(95) North Fork Skykomish River at Index, · Wash, 

Location .... -Lat 47049 1 20", long. 121032'50", ln SEi sec. 17, T. 27 N., R. 10 E., on highway 

bridge at Index, 1 3/4 mi above mouth. 

Drainage area,--149 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage read once daily. 

93 

Stage-discharge relation. --Defined by current-meter measurements below .4, 700 cfs a:nd extended by 

logarithmic plotting, 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Flood of December 21, 1933 reached an observed stage of 

10.3 ft (discharge 20,400 cfs). Unofficial reports indicate that the maximum stage was 

possibly as much as 2ft highe~ (possible discharge 26,400 cfs). 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

yeaF Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year · Date height Discharge 

(ft) ( cfs) · 

1911 Nov. 21, 1910 10.4 10,100 1930 Feb. 5, 1930 6.20 5,160 

1912 Nov·. 20 I 1911 10.83 10,700 1931 Jan. 27, 1931 7.80 9,080 ' 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 10.5 21,000 

1914 Jan. 6, 1914 9.3 10,500, 1933 No.v. 13, 1932 8.80 2.5,900 

1915 Nov. 2, 1914 8.5 9,100 1934 Dec. 21, 1933 10.30 20,400 

1916 Oct. 31, 1915 '7.0 6,400 

1917 · Nov. 9, 1916 7.7 7,660 1935 Jan. 24, 1935 9.0 16,500 

1918 Dec. 29, 1917 - ·17 ,000 1936 June 8, 1936 5.13 4,830 

1937 June 2, 1937 5.30 4,670 

1919 Dec. 14, 1918 7.5 11,900 1938 Nov. 9, 1937 8.46 13,800 

1920 Nov. 15, 1919 9.6 16,800 

1921 Feb. 11, 1921 7.15 10,900 1947 Dec. 11, 1946 7.42 9,430 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 - 18,000 1948 May 28, 1948 6.56 7,720 

(96) Troublesome Creek near Index, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°54 1 00", long;, 121°23 1 50", ih NEi sec. 21, T. 28 N., R. 11 E;, (unsurveyed), a 

quarter of a mile above mouth and 9 mi northeast of Index. Discharge measurements made 1% and 

2 mi above. · 

D~ainage area.--10.4 sqmi atmeasur:ing section. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 750 cfs and. extended by 

velocity-area studies. 

Remarks.,--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

1Nater - Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1930 Feb. .5 I 1930 3.95 632 1936 May 16, 1936 2.87 486 

1931 Jan. 27, 1931 4.78 1,100 1937 Dec. 18, 1936 3.45 740 

1932 Feb, 26, 1932 7.54 2,220 1938 Apr. 18, 1938 3.95 940 

1933 Nov. 13, 1932 5.80 1,620 1939 Oct. 12, 1938 3.40 720 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 7.00 2,300 1940 Dec. 15, 1939 2.98 438 

1935 Jan. 24, 1935 5.33 1,480 1941 Oct. 10, 1940 3.36 575 
94 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHDTGTON 

SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN 

(97) Olney Creek near Gold Bar, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°56 140", long. 121°42 13011 , in swt sec. 6, T. 28 N., R. 9 E., 5i mi north of 

Gold Bar and 6i mi upstream from mouth. 

Drainage area.--7.9 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 300 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Discharge of ;3,540 cfs caused by release of water from 

pondage caused by a slide. Records for 1924-26 and 1930-33 computed on basis of records for 

Olney Creek near Startup. 

Annual flood peaks 

\'later Gage \'later Gage 

year Date height Discharge (ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge (ft) (cfs) 

1924 Feb. 12, 1924 - 1,200 1933 Nov. 16, 1932 - 1,660 

1925 Dec. 10, 1924 - 1,150 

1926 Oct. 27, 1925 - 1,260 1947 Oct. 25, 1946 6.30 2,550 

1948 Oct. 2, 1947 4.55 965 

1930 Feb. 1, 1930 - 1,370 1949 Nov. 23, 1948 4.50 930 

1931 Sept; 13, 1930 - 745 1950 Oct. 9, 1949 4.54 965 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 - 1,900 1951 Feb. - 1951 6.10 3,540 

(98) May Creek near Gold Bar, nash. I 

Location.--Lat 47°51 1 3011 , long. 121°36 130", in NEt sec. 2, T. 27 N., R. 9 E., half a mile downstream from Lake Isabel and 4 mi east of Gold Bar. 

Drainage area.--4.3 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter .measurements below 440 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks. --No diversic;:m. Natural regulation by Lake IsabeL 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge (ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

-1929 Oct. 9, 1928 2.83 138 1933 Dec. 2, 1932 4.92 475 

1930 June 12, 1930 2.20 98 1934 Dec. 10, 1933 3.50 270 

1932 Feb. 27, 1932 3.20 219 Change in datum 

1947 Oct. 25, 19461 4.9 726 

(99) Sultan River near Startup, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°58 13011 , long. 121°46 13011 , in NEt sec. 28, T. 29 N., R. 8 E., 1! mi upstream 

from intake of Everett water-supply system and 7! mi north of Startup. 

Drainage area • .,..-75 sq mL 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 3,000 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Records for 1912-26 and 1930-31 computed on basis of 

records for Sultan River near Sultan, Wash. 
Water 

year Date 

1912 Nov. 

1913 Sept. 

1914 Jan. 

1915 Apr. 

1916 Dec. 

1917 Nov. 

1918 Dec. 

1919 Dec. 

1920 Nov. 

1921 Feb. 

1922 Feb. 

1923 Jan. 

1924 Feb. 

1925 Dec. 

1926 Dec. 

1930 Feb. 

1931 Jan. 

1--+-

'(j35,000 

s:: 

o · C) 

<D 

rJJ 

H30,000 

<D 

p. 

+> 

<D 

~25,000 

C) 

..-j 

'§ 

0 20,000 

s:: 

..-j 

<D"' 

bO 

~15,000 

.£1 

C) 

rJJ 

..-j 

c::::l 

10,000 

5,000 

0 

1.01 

18, 

4, 

6, 

2, 

8, 

9, 

18, 

4, 

15, 

ll, 

12, 

6, 

12, 

10, 

23, 

1, 

27, 

1911 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1915 

1916 

1917 

1918 

1919 

1921 

1921 

1923 

1924 

1924 

1925 

1930 

1931 

GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN 

( 99) Sultan River near Startu~, Vvash. --Continued 

Annual flood peaks·· 

I 

RecurGage Dis- renee Water Gage 

height charge Order inter- year Date height 

(ft) (cfs) (M) val (ft) 

(yr) 

- 12,500 21 1.95 

- 6,350 37 l.ll 

- 8 ,750 30 1.37 

- 8,750 31 1.32 

- 7,100 35 1.17 

1935 Oct. 24, 1934 16.05 

1936 May 16, 1936 10.42 

1937 Dec. 6, 1936 13.40 

1938 Apr. 17, 1938 14.48 

1939 May 28, 1939 12.6 

- 7,450 34 1.21 

- 17,500 13 3.15 

- 11,200 26 1.58 

- 17,300 14 2.93 

- 12,300 22 1.86 

1940 Oct. 4, 1939 11.56 

1941 Oct. 10, 1940 12.65 

' 1942 June 15, 1942 11.03 

1943 Oct. 31, 1942 14.47 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 16.4 

- 21,000 5 8.20 

- 13,300 20 2.05 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 14.66 

1946 Oct. 25, 1945 14.0 

- 18,000 12 3.42 

- 11,700 23 ' 1.78 

- 9,000 29 1.41 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 13.44 

1949 Nov. 23, 1948 12.16 

1950 Mar. 4, 1950 14.3 

- 6,100 38 1.08 1951 Feb. 9, 1951 17.22 

- 8,750 32 1.28 . 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

27,000 

5,800 

14,600 

Hi,OOO 

11,600 

8,600 

11,600 

. 7,100 

19,000 

29,400 

20,000 

17,000 

14,600 

10,400 

18,200 

34,600 

l.l 1.2. 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 

Recurrence interval, in years 

Figure 25.--Frequency of annual floods, Sultan River near Startup, Wash. 

95 

Recurrenee 

Order inter-

(M) val 

(yr) 

3 13.67 

39 1.05 

17 2.41 

8 5.12 

24 1.71 

33 1.24 

25 1.64 

36 1.14 

9 4.56 

2 20.50 

6 6.83 

15 2.73 

is 2.28 

28 1.46 

ll 3.73 

1 41.00 

100 200 
96 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

SNOHOMISH RIVER BAS.IN 

(100) Middle Fork Snoqualmie River near North Bend, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°31'0011 , long. 121°46'00", in sec. 34, T. 24 N., R. 8 E., at highway bridge li 

mi northof North Bend. Prior to August 7, 1915, gages at different sites halr'amile above 

confluence with North Fork; August 7, 1915 to September 30, 1926, at site l mi southeast of 

North Bend. 

Drainage area.--173 sq mi. 

Gag~.--Recording gage September 1912 to June 1926. Nonrecording gage read once daily before and 

after this period. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below about 5,000 cfs at the 

various sites, and extended by velocity-area studies. 

Remarks. -- 1~o d iversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

\"later Gage Nater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs ) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1912 Nov . 18 , 1911 - 18,000 1921 Dec. 30, 1920 9.2 11,800 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 11.9 17,300 

1914 Oct. 10, 1913 8 .0 12,900 1923 Dec. 24, 1922 9.80 12,700 

1915 Nov. 3, 1914 6.19 8,160 1924 Feb. 12, 1924 - 14,000 

1925 Dec. ll, 1924 9.02 10,600 

Change in datum 

1916 Mar. 9, 1916 8.21 8,900 1926 Jan. 5, 1926 8.57 9,760 

1 917 June 24, 1917 7.04 6,540 

1918 Dec. 18, 1917 12.2 18,300 Change in datum 

1919 Dec. 14, 1918 10.1 13,700 

1920 Nov . 15, 1919 8,50 10,300 

1930 Feb, 1, 19301 7.3 5,490 

1931 Jan. 28, 1931 8.40 8,510 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 13.5 18 100 

(101) Snoqualmie River near Tolt, 'Nash . 

Location.--Lat 47°39'5511 , long. 121°55'3011 , in sec. 9, T. 25 N., R. 7 E., 100ft downstream from 

highway bridge, l mi northwest of Tolt and 2 mi downstream from Tolt River. 

Drainage area.--605 sq mi. 

Gage~-- lJon recording gage read twice daily prior to December 20, 1933; recording thereafter. 

Datum of gage is at mean sea level (unadjusted). 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements. Slope is a factor at high 

stages. 

Remarks.--No diversion. Negligible regulation at flood stage. 

Annual flood peaks 

Recur- Recur-

·i'Jater Gac;e Dis- renee Water Gage Dis- renee year Date height charge Order inter-

( -:.'t) (cfs) (M) val 

year Date height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) (M) val 

(yr) ( yr) 

1930 Feb. c:: v, 1930 7.62 14,800 37 l.ll 1941 Nov. 29, 1940 53.18 20,000 29 1.41 

1931 Jan. 28 , 1931 10.51 27,400 20 2.05 1942 Dec. 19, 1941 52.71 19,700 31 1.32 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 15.3 51,000 l 41.00 1943 Nov. 24, 1942 55.69 30,300 16 2.5'6 

1933 - Nov . 13, 1932 14.54 45,400 7 5.86 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 58.13 48,400 4 10.25 

1934 Dec. 10, 1933 15.83 41,000 9 4.56 1945 Jan. 8, 1945 57.02 32,000 15 2.73 ~ 

1935 Oct. 25, 1934 15.4 47,100 6 6.83 1946 oct. 26, 1945 54.42 23,500 25 1.64 

1936 May 16, 1936 - 16,100 36 1.14 1947 Dec. ll, 1946 56.57 32,600 14 2.93 

1937 Apr. 15, 1937 9.60 17,200 34 1.21 1948 Oct. 19, 1947 54.78 24,800 23 1.78 

1938 Anr. 18, 1938 14.57 38,800 ll 3.73 

1939 Dec. 8, 1938 11.2 22,900 26 1.58 

1949 Nov. 24, 1948 53.06 20,200 28 1.46 

1950 Mar. 4, 1950 56.16 30,100 17 2 •. 41 

Change in datum 

1940 Dec. 16, 19391 52.46Jl8,900 33 1.24 

1951 Feb. 10, 1951 59.14 50,000 2 20.50 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 97 

SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN 

f80,000 f-----1-

f--- +--

'd 70,000 - - ~ 

0 

0 . =:- ++ Q) 

rtl 

H60,000 

Q) 

p., t 

, __ -

.j..) 1- f--

Q) -+ ~50, 000 f--- , __ -

0 

•rl 

'§ 

0 40,000 

~ 

orl 

<15' 

bO 

~30,000 

..c: 

0 

rtl 

•rl 

c:::l 

20,000 

10,000 f--

0 

1.01 l.l 1.2 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 100 200 

Re-currence interval; in years 

Figure 26.--Frequency of annual floods, Snoqualmie River near Tolt, Hash. 

(102) North Fork Snoqualmie River near Snoqualmie Falls, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47037 110" long. 121042 1 35", in SW~ sec. 30, T. 25 N.-, R. 9 E ., l mi upstream from 

Calligan Creek. ' 

Drainage area.--65 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-disch~!:~--!::~lation. --Defined by current-meter measurements below 2,100 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No d iversions or regulation. Peak discharge estimated for October 25, 1934. 

Am1ual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height DischargE 

(ft) (cfs) 

Hater Gag e 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1930 Feb. l, 1930 11.27 4,190 

1931 Jan. 28, 1931 10.75 4,030 

1940 Nov. 7, 1939 10.37 3,'710 

1941 Nov. 28, 1940 12.94 5,500 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 17.5 8,020 

1933 Nov. 17, 1932 14.6 6,700 

1934 Nov. 2, 1933 14.7 6,780 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 10.40 3,710 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 15.63 7,660 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 15.31 7,420 

1935 Oct. 25, 1934 - 8,400 

1936 May 16, 1936 9.76 3,350 

1937 Dec. 6, 1936 10.74 4,010 

1938 Apr. 7, 1938 14.60 6,360 

1939 Dec. 7, 1938 11.59 4,610 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 16.3 8,320 

1946 Oct. 25, 1945 12.'73 5,310 

1947 Dec, 11, 1946 13.75 6,190 

1948 Oct. 19, 194'7 12.9 5,470 

1949 Nov. 23, 1948 11.59 4,470 
98 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN 

(103) North Fork Snoqualmie Ri:ver near North Bend, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°32 120", long. 121°44 1 2011 , in NEi sec. 26, T. 24 N., R. 8 E., 2 mi above mouth 

and 3t mi northeast of North Bend. Prior to September 26, 1916 an eighth of a mile above 

mouth. 

Drainage area.--105 sq mi at mouth. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage read once daily prlor to September 1912; recording gage thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 2,600 cfs and extended by 

velocity-area studies. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1909 June 2, 1909 8.0 5,170 1923 Dec. 24, 1922 9.05 7,370 

1924 Feb. 12, i924 - 9,000 

1911 Nov. 21, 1910 10.0 6,580 1925 Dec. 10, 1924 8.71 6,830 

1912 Nov. 18, 1911 14.5 11,100 1926 Dec. 23, 1925 8.5 6,550 

1914 Oct. 11, 1913 9.34 5,910 1930 Feb. 1, 1930 6.47 4,610 

1915 Apr. 2, 1915 7.66 4,320 1931 Jan. 28, 1931 6.60 4,610 

1916 Mar. 9, 1916 8.80 6,000 1932 Feb. 26, '1932 11.55 11,000 

Change in datum 1933 Nov. 17, 1932 9.9 · 9,250 

1917 June 24, 1917 6.35 3,750 1934 Dec. 9, 19;$3 10.0 8,930 

1918 Dec. 18, 1917 10.80 9,890 1935 Oct. - 1934 11.4 11,500 

1919 Jan. 23, 1919 - 5;700 1936 May 16, 1936 6.12 3,730 

1920 Nov. 15, 1919 - 5,000 

1921 Feb. - 1921 - 5,500 

1937 Dec. 6, 1936 6.71 4,760 

P-938 Apr. 18, 1938 9.44 8,630 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 9.9 8,630 

(104) South Fork -Snoqualmie River at North Bend, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47029 14011 , long. 121047 1 20", in NEi sec. 9, T. 23 N., R. 8 E., at North Bend 2 mi 

upstream from mouth. At site 3t mi upstream October 1916 to September 1926 and February 1929 

to October l948. Prior to 1916 gage half a mile upstream. 

Drainage area.--84 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording gage prior to September 1912; recording thereafter. 

Stage-dis~harge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 6,400 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. Stage discharge relation shif'ts frequently. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Water over gage f'or several days in November 1909 

(discharge probably greater than that of October 25, 1934). 
Water 

year 

1909 J une 

1911 N 

1912 N 

ov. 

ov. 

1914 J 

1915 N 

1916 M 

1917 J 

1918 D 

1919 . J 

1920 N 

1921 D 

1922 D 

an. 

ov. 

ar. 

une 

ec. 

an. 

ov. 

ec. 

ec. 

1923 J 

1924 F 

an. 

10,00 

9,00 

8,00 

'S 

8 

a> 

O'l 7,00 H 

a> 

A 

+l 

a> 6,00 a> 

'H 

C) 

..-i 

'§ 

C) 5,00 

~ 

..-i 

«>" 

~ 4,00 Qj 

,q 

C) 

O'l 

..-i 

A 3,00 

2,00 

eb. 

1,00 

1.01 

Date 

1, 

21, 

19, 

7, 

3, 

10, 

16, 

18, 

23, 

15, 

30, 

12, 

7, 

12, 

GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

SNOHOMISH RTVER BASIN 

(104) South Fork Snoqualmie River at North Bend, Wash.--Continued 

Annual flood peaks 

Recur~oGage Dis- renee Water Gage Disheight charge Order inter• year Date height charge (ft) (c;fs) (M) val (ft) (c:fs) 

(yr) 

1909 4.2 1,960 - - 1925 Dec. 12, 1924 9.31 4,540 

1926 Dec. 23, 1925 7.75 3,160 

1910 8.1 5,340 - - 1911 7.5 4,840 19 2.16 1930 Feb. 19, 1930 5.77 1,900 

1931 Jan. 28, 1931 7.16 2,810 

1914 4.60 2,500 35 1.17 1932 Feb. 26, 1932 11.18 7,600 

1914 4.8 2,670 32 1.28 1933 Nov. 13, 1932 10.90 7,100 

1916 5.25 3,100 28 1.46 1934 Dec. 22, 1933 11.1 7,430 

Change in datum 

1917 6.54 2,200 37 1.11 1935 Oct. 25, 1934 11.2 7,620 

1936 May 16, 1936 5.96 2,420 

1917 10.76 5,400 14 2.93 1937 Dec. 19, 1936 6.43 2,810 

1919 10.2 4,970 18 2.28 1938 Apr. 18, 1938 9.65 5,410 

1919 8.5 3,570 25 1.64 

1920 9.47 4,410 22 1.86 1946 Oct. 25, 1945 8.83 5,200 

1921 10.8 6,780 9 4.56 1947 Dec. 11, 1946 9.70 6,490 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 8 •. 13 4,3;20 

1923 10.0 5,500 12 3.42 1949 Nov. 24, 1948 6.62 2,910 

1924 10.56 6,460 11 3.73 1950 Nov. 27, 1949 8.85 5,J-90 

I 

I 

1.1 1.2 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 

Recurrence interva~ in years 

99 

Recurrenee 

Order inter-

(M) val 

(yr) 

21 1.95 

26 1.58 

40 1.02 

30 1.37 

3 13.67 

7 5.86 

4 10.25 

2 20.50 

36 1.14 

31 1.32 

13. 3.15 

16 2.56 

10 4.10 

23 1.78 

29 '1 .41 

17 2.41 

100 200 

Figure 27.--Frequency of annual floods, South Fork Snoqualmie River at North Bend, Wash. 
100 FLOODS IN 1NESTERN WASH.I NGTON 

SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN 

(105) Raging River near Fall City, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°32 1 2511 , long. 121°54 11011 , on west line sec. 27, T. 24 N., R. 7 E., 2 mi southwest of Fall City and 2! mi upstream from mouth. 

Drainage area.--31.2 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by clirrent-meter measurements below 1,200 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversion at flood stage. No regulation. Record for 1951 obtained from 

high-water mark. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) {cfa) 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 4.67 1,380 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 4.97 1,650 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 5.20 1,850 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 5.60 2,200 

1950 Mar. 4, l950 5.35 2,050 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 6.76 3,420 

{106.) Tolt R1ver near Tolt, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°41 1 4511 , long. 121°49 1 2011 , in s,i:NEt sec. 31, T. 26 N., R. 8 E., 500ft downstream from the Forks and 6 mi northeast of Tb1t. 

Drainage area.--80 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is ·about 348ft above mean sea level (Tiver-profile survey). 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 3,800 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1929 Oct. 9, 1928 7.10 3,280 

1931 Oct. 6, 1930 6.85 3,250 

Change in datum 

1938 Apr. 18, 1938 11.51 9,750 

1939 Nov. 16, 1938 9.33 4,800 

1940 Nov. 7, 1939 9.30 4,680 

1941 Nov. 28, 1940 10.75 8,250 

1942 Dec. 19; 1941 9.50 5,190 

1943 Oct. 31, 1942 11.95 11,400 

1944 Dec. 2, 1943 11.24 9,210 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 12.14 11,700 

1946 Oct. 25, 1945 9."31 4,960 

1947 Oct. 25, 1946 10.94 8,450 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 10.59 "7,720 

1949 Nov. 23, l948 1.0.33 7,250 

1:950 Mar. 4, 1950 11.54 10,600 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 13.10 16,700 
GAGING-$TATION RECORDS 101 

SNOHOMISH RIVEi BASIN 

(107) Pilchuck River near Gl anite Falls, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48003 1 1511 , l<mg. 121°57 1 25", in SE% sec. 30, T. 30 

from road bridge and 2 mi south of Granite Falls. 

N., R. 7 E ., 200 ft upstream 

Drainage area.--53 ~q mi. . . j .. 

Gage.--Nonrecording prior to July 10, 1946; recording thereafter~ 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter i easurements 

slope-area method. 

below 4,100 cfs and extended by 

Hemarks.--Negligible diversion at flood stage~ No r Tgulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water G*ge 

year Date height Dis charge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1944 May 24, 1944 7.05 4,030 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 9.20 6,280 

1946 Oct. 25, 1945 1~.28 7,930 

1947 Oct. 25, 1946 $.92 5,890 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 [3,09 4,700 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 7.54 4,560 

1950 Feb. 24, 1950 8.01 5,420 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 8.61 6,760 

STILLAGUA11'iiSH RIVER BASIN 

. . I 

(108) South Fork Stillaguamish River near Granite Falls, Hash • . 

Location.--Lat 48006 11011 , long. 121°56 14011 , in swtNWl sec. 8, T. 30 N., R. 7 E., li mi upstream 

from Canyon Creek and 2 mi northeast of Granite Falls. 

Drainage area.--119 sq mi. I 

_Gage.--Nonrecording gage at lower site; recordtng s nee 1929. 

Stage-discharge relation • .;._;Defined by current...,meter measurements below 8, 8 00 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

_Remarks:--No diversion or regulation. Records for 1914 and 1915 at site below Canyon Creek. 

Annual flood peru{s 

Recur- Recurrna'ter Gage Dis- renee year Date height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) (M) val 

Water Gage Dis- renee 

yr ar Date height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) (M) val 

(yr) I (yr) 

1914 Nov. 24, 1913 9.9 10,000 31 1.32 

1915 May 18, 1915 6.9 5,360 40 1.02 

Change in dattnn 

1p38 Apr. 18, 1938 14.13 15,400 17 2.41 

1p39 Oct. 12, 1938 12.88 13,100 22 1.86 . 

1p40 Dec. 15, 1939 11.52 10,500 30 1.37 

1~41 Oct. 10, 1940 10.76 ~,240 34 1.21 

1929 Oct. 9, 1928 12.44 12,000 27 1.52 1942 Dec. 19, 1941 10.30 8,340 37 1.11 

1930 Feb. 1, 1930 10.8 9,040 35 1.17 

1931 Jan. 27, 1931 12.72 12,500 23 1.78 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 19.68 26,700 2 20.50 

1933 Nov. 13, 1932 16.37 19,900 9 4.56 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 15.1 17,300 13 3.15 

1@43 Nov. 23, 1942 12.6 12,500 24 1.71 

lp44 Dec. 3, 1943 15.84 18,700 11 3.73 

11945 Jan. 7, 1945 15.54 18,100 12 3.42 

1f.3 46 Oct. 25, 1945 13.87 16,200 15. 2.73 

1947 Oct. 25, 1946 16.30 21,700 5 8.20 

1935 ·Jan. 24, 1935 16.99 21,100 ' 6 6.83 

1936 May 16, 1936 9.88 7,620 38 1.08 1948 Oct. 19, 1947 15.09 23,400 3 13.67 

1937 Dec. 6, 1936 13.60 14,400 20 2.05 1949 Oct. 7, 1948 10.84 9,810 32 1.28 

1951 Feb, 9, 1951 18.10 37,000 1 41.00 
102 

~-

-=!= -

, f--1-

--

~~---

3.5, 0001-- -- 1-- -

'8 1-- --

8 f--- -ti-t ~-=t:_ri -f-+--

Q) • ~- u.l :-

H30,000 

Q) 

p, 1--1--

6 t=f- - .. ~25,000~

0 

ori 

'§ 

1--

0 20,0001--1--- -. 

s:1 

or! 

Q)"' 

bO 

~15, oool--- 1---

,.q 

0 

t') 

•rl 

Q 

10,000 

5 ooo~-:--.~r- · ' 1-- --

0 

l.Ol 

.: -+--

1---- --

Jill.l 1.2 1.5 2 

FLOODS IN VffiSTERN WASHINGTON 

STILLAGUMIIISII RIVER BASIN 

3 

1---

I-- -

_f::---

- t- -

- --1= 

~ 1-=1= 

~ 

4 5 6 

I-- · 

1- -

8 10 

Recurrence interval) in years 

20 

+ 

-I 

f+ 

1-- -

30 4J 50 

--t- ' 

lJO 200 

Figure 28.--Frequency of annual floods, South Fork Stillaguamish River near Granite Falls, .;ash, 

(109) South Fork Stillaguamish River above Jim Creek, near Arline;ton, ·.'!ash. 

Location.--Lat 48°09 1 5511 , lone;. 122°03 1 5511 , in svvt sec. 17, T, 31 N., R. 6 E., l~ mi upstream 

from Jim Creek and 3 mi southeast of Arlington. 

Drainag_~. --199 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is 80.00 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

$tage-dis_charge re!.~tion.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 22,000 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peal{ s 

Water Gage :Vater 'Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date 11e ·l rrht Discharge - (ft) (cfs) 

193'7 Dec, 22, 1936 19.31 13,600 

1938 Apr. 1'7, 1938 23.27 25,200 

1945 Jan. '7, 1945 24.79 26,500 

1946 Oct. 25, 1945 24.35 25,400 

1939 Oct. 12, 1938 21.60 20,200 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 19.35 14,200 

1941 Oct. 10, 1940 19.56 14,700 

1947 Oct. 25, 1946 26.07 29,900 

1948 Oct, 19, 1947 24.5'7 26,000 

1949 lJov, 23, 1948 19.68 13,700 

1942 Dec. 19' 1941 18.0'7 11,100 

1943 Oct. 31,· 1942 21.57 18,700 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 23.88 24,200 

1950 Dec. 28, 1949 23.41 20,900 

1951 Feb, 9, 1951 27.32 27,000 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 103 

STILLAGU.AMISH RIVER BASIN 

(110) Jim Creek near Arlington, n ash. 

Location.--Lat 48°10 1 30", long. 122003 1 55", in s~tmvt sec. 17, T. 31 N., R. 6 E., 1 mi upstream 

from mouth and 3 mi southeast of Arlington. 

Drainage area.--48.9 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 1,900 cfs, and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks. --Ho diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

'.-later Gage Vlater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

. year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1938 Dec. 28, 1937 8.32 3,340 1945 Jan. 7, 1945 7.53 2,750 

1939 Jan. 1, 1939 6.40 2,040 1946 Oct. 25, 1945 9.20 4,060 

1940 Uar. 30, 1940 5.74 1,620 

1941 Nov. 29, 1940 7.08 2,470 

1947 Oct. 25, 1946 8.77 3,690 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 7.76 2,960 

1942 June 15, 1942 5.80 1,680 1949 Oct. 4, 194£3 7.87 3,030 

1943 Nov. 15, 1942 5.80 1,680 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 5.55 1,570 

1950 Dec. 28, 1949 9.28 4,730 

1951 Feb. 10, 1951 7.47 2,900 

(111) North Fork Sti;Llaguamish River near Arlington, n ash. 

Location.--Lat 48°15 145", long. 122002'45", in SEtmvt sec·. 16, T. 32 N., R. 6 E., 6 mi northeast 

of Arlington, 7 mi upstream from mouth, and 8 mi downstream from Deer Creek. 

Drainage area.--269 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage .is 89.34 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter.measurements below 22,000 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--Ho diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

VJater Gage VJater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1929 Oct. 9, 1928 9.70 14,300 

1930 Feb. 5, 1930 9,38 12,800 

1941 Oct. 10, 1940 8.38 9,760 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 9.55 14,200 

1931 Jan. 23, 1931 11.10 22,100 1943 Nov. 23, 1942 10.34 17,200 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 12.7 27,700 1944 Dec, 3, 1943 11.03 19,200 

1933 Nov. 13, 1932 12.1 24,600 1945 Jan. 7, 1945 11.64 21,800 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 11.4 21,100 

1935 Jan. 24, '1935 11.73 22,600 

1946 Oct. 25, 1945 12,02 23,600 

1947 Jan. 24, 1947 13.10 27,500 

1936 Jan. 4, 1936 9.08 10,800 

1937 Dec. 13, 1936 9.33 12,000 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 11.46 21,000 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 9.51 12,600 

1938 Dec. 28, 1937 11.34 22,300 1950 Dec. 28, 1949 12,.32 25,000 

1939 Jan. 1, 1939 9.89 15,400 1951 Feb. 11, 1951 13.58 32,000 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 9.21 12,600 
104 FLOODS IN ':J'ESTERN i;JASHDJGTON 

SKAGIT RIVER BASIN 

(112) Skag it River near Newhalem, 'i!ash. 

Location.--Lat48°45 1 , long. 121002 1 , in sec. 30, T. 38N., R. l4E., limiupstreamRubyCreek, 

ll mi northeast of Newhalem, and 24 mi northeast of Marblemount. 

Drainage area.--765 sq mi, of which 390 sq mi are in Canada. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 13,000 cfs and extended by 

velocity-area method. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Records for 1920-29 computed on basis of records for 

Skagit River below Ruby Creek near Newha1em; and records for 1940-42 computed on basis of 

records for Ska git River above Devils Creek near Newnalem. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1920 July l, 1920 - 9,800 

1921 June 7, 1921 - 19,600 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 - 35,600 

1923 June 8, 1923 - 14,900 

1924 Feb. 12, 1924 ·- 20,400 

1925 May 19, 1925 - 18,000 

1926 Apr. 30, 1926 - 5,800 

1927 June 7, 19_27 - 17,300 

1928 May 23, 192:8 - 17,300 

1929 May 23, 1929 - 10,600 

1930 June 11, 1930 9.5 8,270 

1931 May 2, 1931 10.2 9,860 

1932 Feb. 27, 1932 15.9 25,700 

1933 June 16, 1933 13.1 17,300 

1934 Apr. 24, 1934 12.0 14,300 

1935 Nov. 5, 1934 13.05 17,000 

1936 May 31, 1936 11.11 12,000 

1937 June 3, 1937 11.39 12,700 

1938. May 26, 1938 11.74 13,600 

1939 May 29, 1939 11.13 12,100 

1940 May 24, 1940 - 7,000 

1941 Oct. 21, 1940 - 5,000 

1942 Dec. 3, 1941 - 7,800 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 105 

SKAGIT RIVER BASIN 

(113) Sk~git River at Newhalem, ilash •. 

Location.--Lat 48°40', long. 121°15', in SEt sec. 21, ~. 37 N., R. 12 E., at power plant ~f oity 

of Seattle at Newhalem, a quarter of a mile upstream from Newhalem Creek. Records for 1915-21 

obtained at Reflector n ar 6 mi upstream. 

Drainage area:--1,160 sq mi, of which 390 sq mi is in Canada. 

Gage.--Staff gage read twice daily prior to May 1914 and from October 1921 to June 1923. Recording gage for rest of period. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 26,000 cfs and extended by 

logarith~ic plotting. 

Remarl{.s. --No diversion. Partial r~gulation by Diablo Reservoir since 1929 (usable capacity 

· 76,220 acre-ft) and by Ruby Reservoir since 1940 (usable capacity 102,600 acre-ft to 1945; 

increased capacity since), at flood stage. Records for 1915-21 at Reflector Bar are corrected 

to discharge at Newhalem on basis of ratio of square roots of drainage areas. Discharges 

during period 1942-51 corrected by comparisan with Skagit River near Concrete. Records prior 

to 1911 were taken from Stewart report (unpublished) and is for Reflector Dar station. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date hei[!)lt Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discl1arge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1820 - 20.5 115,000 1929 Oct. 9, 1928 8 9.15 23,600 

1930 June 11, 1930 8 6.9 13,400 

1856 - 18.5 95,000 1931 May 2, 1931 87.53 15,500 

1932 Feb. 27, 1932 92.84 45,000 

1898 Nov. 18, 1897 12.5 48,000. 1933 June 15, 1933 90.15 28,200 

1910 Nov. 29, 1909 15.4 70,000 1934 Apr. 23, 1934 89.64 25,000 

1911 June 14, 1911 11.7 24,800 1935 Jan. 25, 1935 90.82 30,300 

1912 May 15, 1912 10.00 19,100 1936 May 31, 1936 8 9.27 22,400 

1913 June 3, 1913 12.10 26,200 1937 June 3, 1937 89.32 22,500 

1914 Jan. 6, 1914 9.80 18,400 1938 Oct. 28, 1937 89.69 24,400 

1915 Apr. 3, 1915 - 12,200 1939 May 29, 1939 89.3 22,400 

1916 June 17, 1916 - 30,300 · 1940 Ma y 23, 1940 8 7.56 15,100 

' 1917 June 16, 1917 - 20,300 

1918 Dec. 29, 1917 - 38,400 

1941 Oct. 20, 1940 88.12 17,1QO 

1942 May 26, 1942 - 22,100 

1919 May 27, 1919 - 24,900 194.3 . May 27, 1943 - 17,300 

1920 July 1, 1920 - 16,100 

1921 June 7, 1921 - 31,800 

1922 Dec. 21, 1921 94.2 60,000 

1923 June 9, 1923 89.1 21,400 

1924 Feb. 12, 1924 90.85 31,400 

1944 June 12, 1944 - 19,700 

1945 May 31, 1945 - 22,400 

1946 May 27, 1946 - 27,600 

1947 · May 25, 1947 - 23,400 

1948 June 15, 1948 - 26,200 

1925 May 20, 1925 89.65 25,400 1949 May 15, 1949 - 17,600 

1926 Apr. 30, 1926 85.68 9,220 

1927 June 8, 1927 89.56 26,000 

1950 June 29, 1950 - 38,700 

1951 Feb. 10, 1951 - 35,700 

1928 May 21, 1928 89.75 27,200 

• 
106 FLOODS IN \'!ESTERN WASHINGTON 

SKAGIT RIVER BAS IN 

(114) Skagit River near Concrete, Vlash. 

Location.--Lat 48032 1 , long. 121046 1 , in sec. 16, T. 35 N., R. 8 E., at dalles 2 mi downstream 

from Baker River and 2i mi southwest of Concrete. 

Drainage area.--2,'700 sq mi, of which 390 sq mi is in Canada. 

Gag~.--Recording. Datum of gage is 130.00 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 135,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion. Partial regulation by Lake Shannon on Baker River since 192'7 and by 

Diablo and Ruby Reservoirs on Skagit River since 1929 and 1940 respectively. Historical data 

prior to 1925 were taken from revised Stewart report (unpublished). 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 1

Hater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1820 - - 400,000 1934 Dec. 22, 1933 20.9 101,000 

1935 Jan. 25, 1935 25.2 131,000 

1856 - - 280,000 1936 June 3 , . 1936 15.00 60,000 

1937 June 19, 1937 16.28 68,300 

1 89'7 - - 230,000 1938 Oct. 28, 193'7 32.16 89,600 

1909 - - 220,000 1939 May 29, 1939 30.7 . 79,600 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 25.70 48,200 

1918 Dec. 30, 191'7 33.0 190,000 1941 Oct. 19, 1940 26.20 51,000 

1942 Dec. 2, 1941 30.17 76,300 

1922 Dec . 13, 1921 34.9 210,000 1943 Nov. 23, 1942 26.69 54,000 

1925 Dec . 12, 1924 19.75 92,500 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 28.49 65,200 

1926 Dec . 23, 1925 13.6 51,600 1945 Feb. 8, 1945 29•35 70,800 

192'7 Oct. 16, 1926 19.34 88,900 

1928 Jan . 12, 1928 20.2 95,500 

1929 Oct. 9, 1928 17.25 '74 ,,300 

1946 Oct. 25, 1945 34.0 102,000 

1947 Oct. 25, 1946 31.14 82,200 

1948 Oct. 19, 194'7 32.99 95,200 

1930 June 7, 1930 10.01 32,200 

1931 June 26, 1931 15.09 60,600 

1932 Feb. 27, 1932 2'7.30 147,000 

1949 May 13, 1949 26.9'7 55,'700 

195El Hov. 2'7, 1949 40.80 154,000 

1951 Feb. 10, 1951 39.00 139,000 

1933 Nov. 13, 1932 22.9 "116, 000 

( 115) Beaver Creek near Newhalem, 'Hash. 

Location.--Lat 4804'7 1 , long. 121°05 1 , in sec. 14, T. 38 N., R. 13 E., three-quarters of a mile 

upstrea...'TI from Ross Reservoir, 3i mi north of Ross Dam on Skagit River, and lQ-~ mi northeast 

of Newhalem. 

Drainage_~~.--63 sq mi. 

Gage. --Recording. 

Stage-di sch~ rge rel~ion.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 2,000 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No d iversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

\'later Gage Vv ater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

{ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1940 1/Iay 24, 1940 4.9'7 1,480 1945 May 31, 1945 5.32 1,'720 

1941 Oct. 19, 1940 '7.34 3,2~0 1946 Oct. 26, 1945 '7.5'7 3,450 

1942 Dec. 2, 1941 '7.'76 3,620 194'7 Oct. 25, 1946 5.33 1,'760 

1943 July 4, 1943 5.11 1,550 1948 May 28 , 1948 6.3'7 2,490 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 4.63 1,280 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

SY~GIT RIVER BASIN 

(116) Ruby Creek near Newhalem, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48°43 1 , long. 121°00 1 , in SEt sec. 5, T. 37 N., R • . l4 E., 2 mi upstre&~ from 

mouth .and 12 mi northeast of Newhalem. 

Drainage area.--203 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

107 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 5,600 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1931 May 14, 1931 12.47 3,570 1941 Oct. 20, 1940 5.88 1,630 

1932 Feb. 27, 1932 14.15 6,730 1942 May 25, 1942 7.69 4,650 

1933 June 14, 1933 14.09 6,510 1943 June 9, 1943 7.45 4,160 

1934 Apr. 23, 1934 13.74 4,920 1944 May 15, 1944 6.4 2,370 

1935 Nov. 5, 1934 - 3,460 1945 May 30, 1945 7.56 4,360 

1936 June 2, 1936 13.92 4,850 

1937 June 2, 1937 13.51 4,480 

1946 May 27, 1946 7.43 4,160 

1947 May 8, 1947 7.50 4,260 

1938 May 25, 1938 13.12 4,530 

1939 May 28, 1939 13.08 4,650 

1948 May 27, 1948 9.20 9,920 

1949 May 15, 1949 7.65 5,340 

Change in datum Change in datum 

1940 May 23, 19401 6.91 3,070 1950 Nov. 27, 19491 10.95 8,640. 

1951 May 23, 1951 7.50 4,170" 

(117) Thunder Creek near Newhalem, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48040 1 , long. 121°04 1 , in SEt sec. 23, T. 37 N., R. 13 E. (unsurveyed), half a mile 

upstream from backwater from Diablo Reservoir, 8 mi east of Newha1em, and 20 mi northeast of 

Marblemount. Priqr to 1931 gage a quarter of a mile upstream from mouth, published as Thunder 

Creek near Marblemount. 

Drainage area.--98 sq mi at present site. lll sq mi at former site. 

Gage. --Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation. --'Defined by current-meter measurements below 2, 900 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Discharges for ye a rs 1920-30 at lower gage site are corrected to upper site by ratio of square roots of drainage areas. 
108 FLOODS IH YJESTERN WASHINGTON 

SK.c'\GIT RIVER BASIN 

(117) Thunder Creek near Newhalem, -:Jash. --Continued 

Annual flood peaks 

Recurrta ter Gage Dis- renee Wa ter Qage Disyear Date height charge Order inter-

( ft) (cfs) (M) val 

year Date height charge 

(ft) (cfs) 

(yr) 

1920 Sept. 11, 1 920 - 4,380 18 2.28 1936 May 30, 1936 8.30 3,800 

1921 June 7, 1921 - 4,110 21 1.95 1937 June 21, 1937 7.34 2,650 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 - 9,720 1 41.00 1938 Oc t. 28, 1937 11.0 6,.500 

1923 June 9, 1923 - 2,670 32 1.28 1939 May 28 , 1939 9.14 4,300 

1924 Feb. 12, 1924 - 5,050 12 3.42 1940 May 23, 1940 6.63 2,060 

1925 Dec. 12, 1924 - 3,470 27 1.52 1941 Oct. 20, 1940 9.56 4,790 

1926 July 5, 1926 - 2,470 36 1.14 1942 Oct. 3, 1941 8.15 3,080 

1927 Oct. lf?, 1 926 - 7,060 5 8.20 1943 July 10, 1943 '7.10 2,300 

1928 May 22, 1 928 - 3,130 29 1.41 1944 Sept. 20, 1944 '7.43 2,510 

1929 Oct. 9, 1928 - 6,260 7 5.86 1945 Sept. 4, 1945 '7.6'7 2,'720 

1930 July 13, 1 930 - 2,370 37 1.11 1946 Oc t. 25, 1945 8.68 3,600 

1931 June 26 , 1931 8 .2 4,160 20 2.05 194'7 Oct. 25, 1946 9.'74 5,550 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 11.3 8 ,780 3 13.67 1948 Oct. 19, 194'7 8 .90 4,410 

1933 nov . 13 , 1932 9 .27 5,540 11 3.73 1949 May 13, 1949 '7.06 2,560 

1934 July 16 , 1934 8.82 4 , 440 16 2.56 1950 No v. 2'7, 1949 12.14 8 ,900 

1935 · ,Jan. 25, 1935 9.82 6,230 8 5.12 1951 Feb. lO, 1951 8.53 3, 8'7 0 

14,000 - ·-.-

r(j .. -+ · - ' 

~ - - .;.. 0 -- ·-"-

~12,000 '• 

Ul 

i7-. 

m + I p.. 

~ 10,000 -· 

m 

""" () 

ori 

.g 8,000 () 

~ 

ori 

m" 6,000 1--ibO 

i7-. 

a! 

.r:: 

() 

Ul 

ori 4,000 ~ 

2,000 1---1--

0 

1.01 l.l 1.2 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 

Recurrence interva~ in years 

Figure 29. --Frequ€mcy of annual floods, Thunder Creek near Newhalem, Wash. 

Order 

(M) 

23 

33 

6 

19 

40 

14 

30 

38 

35 

31 

26 

10 

1'7 

34 

2 

22 

100 

Recurrenee 

interval 

(yr) 

1.78 

1.24 

6.83 

2.16 

1.02 

2.93 

1.37 

1.08 

l.l '7 

1.32 

1.58 

4.10 

2.41 

1.21 

20.50 

1. 86 

+ + 

+ 

200 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 109 

SKAGIT RIVER BAS JN 

( 118) Stetattle Creek near Newhalem, \if ash. 

Location.--Lat 48043 140", long. 121°09 1 3011 , in NEt sec. 6, T. 37 N., R. 13 E., three-quarters of 

a mile upstream from mouth, 5t mi northeast of Newhalem, and 1St mi northeast of Marblemount. 

Drainage area.--21.4 sq mi. 

Gage.--.Recording. 

Stage-dis charge reiation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 920 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks I 

Water Gage Water Gage . 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1934 Oct. 23, 1933 7.17 2,020 1943 June 17, 1943 4.70 870 

193E Nov. 5, 1934 10.4 4,520 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 5.62 1,510 

1936 June 2, 1936 4.78 1,010 1945 Feb. 7, 1945 6.10 1,980 

1937 June 18, 1937 5.50 1,370 1946 Oct. 25, 1945 7.16 3,210 

1938 Oct. 28, 1937 7.34 3,220 1947 Oct. 24, 1946 5.85 1,740 

1939 May 28, 1939 6.64 2,560 1948 Oct. 19, 1947 6.80 2,730 

1940 Nov. 30, 1939 5.10 1,130 1949 Oct. 7, 1948 5.87 1,740 

1941 Oct. 19, 1940 6.03 1,940 1950 Nov. 26, 1949 9.70 8,580 

1942 Dec. 2, 1941 6.77 2,680 1951 Feb. 10, 1951 6.00 2,650 

(119) Bacon Creek near Marblemount, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48°35 1 , long. 121°24 1 , on line between sees. 20 and 21, T. 36 N., R. ll E., at 

highway bridge a quarter of a mile upstream from mouth and 4t mi north of Marblemount~ 

Drainage area.--50 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 2,000 cfs and extended by 

slope-area ~ethod. 

Remarks. --No <iiversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks I 

Hater Gage Water Gage 

year Date height ;Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 3.91 2,510 1948 Oct. 19, 1947 5.67 5,670 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 5.62 5,510 1949 Oct. 7, 1948 4.65 3,300 

1946 Oct. 25, 1945 6.20 7,000 1950 Nov. 26, 1949 7.13 18,100 

1947 Oct. 24, 1946 5.88 6,480 

(120) Cascade River at Marblemount, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48°31 14511 , long. l21°23 1 30n, in swt sec. 9, T. 35 N., R. ll E., 2 mi east of 

Marblemount and 2t mi upstream from mouth. Gage a quarter of a mile downstream from Marble 

Creek and 8 mi upstream from mouth, 1910~12. 

Drainage area.--180 sq mi. 

Gage.--N?nrecording gage read twice daily pr~or to October 1928; recording thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 5,000 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Discharges for period 1910-12 at upper site were corrected 

to discharges at lower site by ratio of square roots of drainage areas. Records for 1820, 

1897, and 1917 were taken from Stewart report (unpublished). 
110 

Water 

year Date 

1820 

1897 

1910 Nov. 

1911 Nov. 

1912 June 

1918 Dec. 

1929 Oct. 

1930 June 

1931 Jan. 

1932 Feb. 

1933 Nov. 

1934 Nov. 

1935 Nov. 

'd28' 000 

s::1 

0 

~ r- - -

tll24, 000 H 

(!) 

0.. 

.p 

~ 20, 000 1--f--

G--i 

C) 

-.-1 

.g 

ol6,000 

_s I 

<D" 

t~2,000 al 

..c: 

C) 

til 

ori 

t=l 8 ,000 

4,000 --

-

-

29, 

21, 

19, 

-

9, 

7, 

27, 

26, 

13, 

2, 

5, 

=:::::::: :;_--

0 

1.01 

FLOODS IN WESTERN WASIIIllGTON 

SIV\G IT RIVER BAS IN 

( 120) Cascade River at Marblemount, V'Jash. --Continued 

Gage Disheight 

(ft) 

cll.arge 

(cfs) 

22.0 46,000 

20.0 40,000 

1909 15.0 28,600 

1910 8.6 13,800 

1912 6.85 8,900 

1917 17.2 32,000 

Change in datum 

1928 9.20 10,700 

1930 5.43 2,740 

1931 6.55 4,480 

1932 9. 88 12,900 

1932 9.02 10,400 

1933 8.06 8,050 

1934 9.40 11,500 

1.1 1.2 1.5 2 

Annual flood peaks 

Recur- Recurrenee Water Gage Dis- renee 

Order inter-

(M) val 

year DatEt height charge Order inter-

(ft) (cfs) (M) val 

(yr) (yr) 

- - 1936 June 2, 1936 7.07 5,760 28 1.46 

1937 June 3, 1937 6.59 4,760 32 1.28 

- - 1938 Oct. 28, 1937 8.62 8, 8 10 20 2.05 

1939 May 28, 1939 8.19 7,870 23 1.78 

- - 1940 Dec. 15, 1939 5.87 3,190 39 1.05 

- -

19 2.16 1941 Oct. 19, 1940 6.58 4,430 . 34 1.21 

1942 Dec. 2, 1941 7.66 6,730 26 1.58 

1 41.00 1943 June 17, 1943 6.26 3,820 36 1.14 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 6.98 5,210 30 1.37 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 6.62 4,430 35 1.17 

10 4.10 

40 1.02 1946 Oct. 25, 1945 8 . 84 9,620 16 2.56 

33 1.24 1947 Oct. 25, 1946 9.54 11,600 6 6.83 

4 10.25 1948 Oct. 19, 1947 9.33 11,000 9 4.56 

1949 May 13, 1949 7.14 5,420 29 1.41 

11 3.73 1950 Hov. 27, 1949 11.47 17, 8 00 2 20.50 

22 1. 86 

7 5. 86 1951 Feb. 10, 1951 8 .89 9,650 15 2.73 

. ! 

' -"--

1---t---

1-- -

::-_: 1--_

1---1-- -- - 1---

3 4 5 6 8 10 

Recurrence interva~ in years 

20 

++t- r--1-- -

·± n t- - +- . 1-

-rt l+ 

30 40 50 

' ----

- -1--

__J_ 

100 200 

Figure 30: --Frequency of annual floods, Cascade River ·at Marblemount, Y:lash. 
GAGING-~TATION RECORDS 

SKAGIT RIVER BAS IN 

(121) Sauk River above Whitechuck River, near Darring ton, n ash. 

Location.--Lat 48010 1 0011 , long. 121027 1 4511 , in NW% sec. 24, T. 31 N., R. 10 E., h alf a mile 

upstream from Whitechuck River and ~ mi southeast of Darring ton. 

· Drainage area. --152 .sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

111 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 6,200 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks. --No diversion or re~ula tion. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1918 Dec. 29, 1917 13.3 21,000 

1919 Dec. 14, 1918 7.9 8,430 

1920 Nov. 15, 1919 9.0 10,800 

1921 Oct. 4, 1920 8.1 8,960 

1937 June 3, 1937 6.19 4,310 

1938 Apr. 18, 1938 8.23 8,240 

1939 f"'ay 29, 1939 7.60 7,010 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 6.71 5,480 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 14.65 23,000 1941 Oct. 18, 1940 5.94 4,180 

1929 Oct. 9, 1928 7.50 7,030 

1930 Feb. 5, 1930 6.35 5,060 

1942 Dec. 2, 1941 7.61 7,220 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 7.06 6,230 

1931 Jan. 27, 1931 7.72 7,410 · 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 9.00 10,300 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 13.0 20,000 

1933 Nov. 13, 1~32 10.3 13,000 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 8.40 8,940 

1946 Oct. 25, 1945 8.00 8, 250. 

1934 Dec. 21, 1933 12.05 17,,300 

1935 Jan. 25, 1935 10.41 13,200 

1936 May 16; 1936 6.26 4,400 

1947 Oct. 25, 1946 8.50 9,250 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 9.68 13,500 

1949 May 13, 1949 6.52 5,660 

1950 Nov. 27 , · 1949 14.90 30,200 

(122) Sauk River at Darrington, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48014 1 4011 , long. 121035 1 00",.ih swt sec. 24, T. 32 N., R. 9 E., half a mile southeast of Darrington. 

Drainage area.--293 sq mi. 

Gage. --Nonrecording gage read once da.ily. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 7,700. cfs and extended by 

velocity-area studies. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Gage heights are from graphs based on gage readings. 

Records for 1820, 1897, and 1910 are taken from Stewart report (Unpublished). 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1820 - - 48,000 1921 Oct. 4, 1920 9.3 14,100 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 15.0 36,000 

1897 - - 44,000 1923 Dec. 24, 1922 8.60 13,500 

1924 Feb. 12, 1924 12.1 23,800 

1910 - - 40,000 1925 Feb. 2, 1925 7.60 10,800 

1915 Apr. 2, 1915 8.83 22,200 1926 Jan. 5, 1926 7.4 10,300 

1916 Dec. ' 8, 1915 7.40 14,900 

1917 June 16, 1917 5.90 7,390 1929 Oct. 9, 1928 - 10,000 

1918 Dec. 29, 1917 15.0 36,000 19;30 Feb. 5, l930 6.15 7,280 

1919 Oct. 27, 1918 8.90 13,000 1931 Jan. 23, 1931 7.6 10,800 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 16.0 36,000 

1920 Nov. 15, 1919 10.5 17,200 
112 FLOODS I N -;;'!ESTERN WASHINGTON 

SKAGIT RIVER BASIN 

{123) Sauk River near Sauk, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48°25 115", long. 121.0 33 145", in Nnt sec. 19, T. 34 N., R. 10 E., 5 mi upstream 

from mouth, 5 mi southeast of Sauk, and 8 mi downstream from Suiattle River. 

Draipage area.--714 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is 226ft above mean sea level {river-profile survey). 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 40,000 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

{ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1929 Oct. 9, 1928 9.33 21,800 1940 Dec. 15, 1939 9.00 20,000 

1930 Feb. 5, 1930 7.99 15,200 

1931 Jan. 28, 1931 9.32 21,800 1942 Dec. 2, 1941 6.80 19,000 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 15.83 68,500 1943 Nov. 23, 1942 8.85 19,500 

1933 Nov. 13, 1932 12.62 42,500 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 9.02 29,900 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945 10.80 26,$00 

1934 Dec. 22, 1933 14.40 56,600 1946 Oct. 25, 1945 10.28 25,000 

1935 Nov. 5, 1934 13.54 49,400 

1936 June 3, 1936 8.33 16,600 1947 Oct. 25, 104•6 9.96 33,200 

1937 June 3, 1937 8.15 15,900 1948 Oct. 19, 1947 11.74 35,900 

1938 Apr. 13, 1938 10.78 29,900 1949 May 13, 1949 9.03 19,700 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 16.63 79,100 

1939 Jan. 1, 1939 9.96 25,200 1951 Feb. 10, 1951 15.00 62,700 

(124) Suiattle River near Mansford, Wash. · 

Location.--Lat 48°21 1 50", long. 121°29 1 30", in Nt sec. lO,T. 33 N., R. 10 E., 2-?a- mi dovmstream 

from Big Creek and 4 mi north of Mansford. 

Drainage area.--335 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 15,000 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1939 May 29, 1939 9.79 9,680 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 7.97 5,580 

1941 Oct. 18, 1940 7.83 4,980 

1942 Oct. 3, 1941 9.78 9,100 

1943 June 30, 1943 8.82 7,200 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 9.47 8,850 

1945 Feb. 8, 1945 9.70 9,520 

1946 Oct. 25, 1045 10.90 12,900 

1947 Oct. 25, 1946 12.86 19,800 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 12.33 18,000 

1949 May 13, 1949 9.89 9,900 

1950 Nov. 27~ 1949 15.60 30,700 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 113 

SKAGIT RIVER BASIN 

(125) Baker River below Anderson Creek near Concrete, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48°39'4511 , long. 121°40 140", in SE-!- sec. 30, T. 37 N., R. 9 E., 350ft downstream 

from Anderson Creek and ll mi northeast of Concrete. 

Drainage area.--184 sq mi. 

Gage.--Staff gage read once a day or less prior to September 1915; recording gage thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 8,000 cfs and extended by 

velocity-area studies. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. Discharge for 1897 flood estimated as 35,000 cfs for 

plotting purposes. Records for 1820, 1897, and 1909 were taken from Stewart report (unpublished). 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date hei~t Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1820 - 16.0 50,000 1918 Dec. 29, 1917 13.7 36,800 

1919 Dec. 4, 1918 9.70 18,700 

1897 - 13.5 36,700 1920 Nov. 15, 1919 9.93 -19,600 

1921 Oct. 4, 1920 9.74 18,700 

1909 - 15.3 46,200 1922 Dec. 12, 1921 10.80 23,600 

1912 June 25, 1912 7.0 6,280 

1913 Sept. 4, 1913 7.6 7,750 

1914 Jan. 6, 1914 12.6 24,900 

1923 Dec. 24, 1922 8.1 11,800 

1924 Jan. 31, 1924 11.90 28,500 

1925 Dec. 12, 1924 - 17,000 

1915 Apr. 2, 1915 9.5 17,200 

1916 Feb. 15, 1916 8.87 14,800 1929 Oct. 8, 1928 10.15 20,900 

1930 ·Feb. 18, 1930 6.88 7,390 

1917 July 16, 1917 7.21 8,200 1931 Jan. 23, 1931 9.90 19, .600 

(126) Alder Creek near Hamilton, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48032 1 , long. 121057 1 , in ~ sec. 18, T. 35 N., R. 7 E., at railroad trestle, 

three-quarters of a mile upstream from mouth and 2 mi east of Hamilton. 

Drainage area.--8.8 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 400 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remark s.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

\'later Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 2.92 137 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 4.28 458 

1946 Oct. 25, 1945 3.47 265 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 2.61 404 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 2.57 241 

1949 Dec. l, 1948 2.77 256 

1950 Dec. 27, 1949 3.26 47'7 

1951 Feb. 10, 1951· 3.98 640 
114 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

SAMISH RIVER BASIN 

(127) Samish River near Burlington, ·,·lash. 

Location.--Lat 48°32 13511 , long. 122°20 125", in NWt sec. 7, T. 35 U., R. 4 E., at highway bridge 

half a mile downstream from Friday Creek and 5 mi north of Burlington. 

Drainage ~~:--88 sq mi. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 5,700 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversion and regulation at flood stage. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date l1eight Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 4.44 1,130 1948 Oct. 19, 1947 5.14 1,210 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 7.77 3,640 1949 Feb. 17, 1949 10.44 4,990 

1946 Oct. 25, 1945 9.78 4,310 1950 Dec. 28, 1949 11.90 6,000 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 7.67 2,750 1951 Feb. 10, 1951 10.20 3,800 

(128) Friday Creek near Burlington, Wash. · 

Location.--Lat 48°34 1 25", long. 122°20 115", in NEtNEt sec. 31, .T. 36 N., R. 4 E., 1 3/4 mi upstream from mouth and 6 mi north of Burlington. 

Drainage area.--37.1 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation --Defined by current-meter measurements below 250 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks. --Ilegligible diversion at flood stage. Natural regulation by Samish Lake. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 3.12 195 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 6.28 960 

1946' oct. 25, 1945 - 1,090 

1947 Dec. 11, 1946 4.03 825 

1948 Jan. 4, 1948 3.40 537 

NOOKSACK RIVER BASIN 

(129) Nooksack River above Cascade Creek, near Glacier, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48°54 1 20", long. 121°50'5011 , in NWt sec. 1, T. 39 N., R. 7 E., a quarter of a m·ile 

upstream from Cascade Cree~ half a mile downstream from Dead Horse Creek, 4! mi east of 

Glacier, and 6 mi upstream from Glacier Creek. 

Drainage area.--105 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 2,600 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Remarks.--No diversion. Negligible regulation at flood stage. Records for 1935-37 computed on basis of records for Nooksack River near Glacier. 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS . 

NOOKSACK RIVER BASIN 

(129) Nooksack River above Cascade Creek, near Glacier, Wash.--Continued 

Annual flood peaks 

RecurWater Gage Dis- renee · Water Gage Disyear Date height charge Order inter- year Date height charge Order 

1935 Nov. 5, 

1936 June 11, 

193'7 June 21, 

1938 Oct. 28, 

1939 May 28, 

1940 Dec. 10, 

1941 Oct. 19, 

1942 Dec. 2, 

1943 July 3, 

1--f1--!--+- ' 

14,000 

'g 

0 

{) 

~12,000 

H 

Q) 

p. 

~10,000 Q) 

r.-t 

{) 

..,.; 

.g 8, 000 {) 

<D"' tD 6,000 

<n 

.r:: 

{) 

0') 

8 4,000 

2,000 

0 

1.01 

(ft). 

1934 - 1936 - 193'7 - 193'7 10.28 

1939 '7.53 

1939 '7.39 

1940 8.32 

1941 9.02 

1943 5.86 

1.5 

(cfs) (M) val ' (ft) (cfs) 

(yr) 

8,810 9 4.56 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 6.3'7 3,900 

4,240 29 1.41 1945 Dec. 5, 1944 '7.23 4,100 

6,150 21 1.95 1946 Oct. 25, 1945 8.66 8,490 

9,6'70 6 6.83 194'7 Oct. 24, 1946 '7.60 6,100 

5,100 25 1.64 1948 Oct. 19, 194'7 '7.95 6,690 

4;950 26 . 1.58 1949 Oct. 4, 1948 6.64 3;540 

6,300 19 2.16 1950 Nov. 26; 1949 10.;42 10,800 

'7,450 14 2 '.93 1951 Feb. 10, 1951 '7.12 4,500 

3,250 38 1.08 . 

2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 

Recurrence interva~ in years 

Figure 31.--Frequency of annual floods, Nooksack River above Cascade Creek near Glacier, Wash. 

(M) 

33 

31 

12 

22 

16 

35 

5 

2'7 

100 

115 

Recurrenee 

interval 

(yi) 

1.24 

1.32 

' 3.42 

1.86 

2.56 

1.1'7 

8.20 

1.52 

200 
116 FLOODS IN \~STERN WASHINGTON 

NOOKSACK RIVER BASIN 

(130) Nooksack River at Deming, 'iiash. 

Location.--Lat 48°48 1 35", long. 122012 1 1511 , in lot 12, sec. 6, T. 38 N., R. 5 E., 800ft downstream from South Fork and 1 mi southeast of Deming. 

Drainage area.--580 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. Datum of gage is 203.6 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 25,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Hemarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1936 May 4, 1936 8.75 12,100 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 11.85 23,800 

1937 Dec. 22, 1936 10.81 20,100 1945 Jan. 7, 1945 12.88 29,000 

1938 Oct. 28, 1937 13.21 30,400 1946 Oct. 25, 1945 14.74 38,000 

1939 Jan. 1, 1939 11.41 23,000 1947 Oct. 25, 1946 13.13 29,900 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 9.16 13,300 1948 Oct. 19, 1947 13.41 31,400 

1941 Jan. 18, 1941 9.50 14,400 1949 Nov. 23, 1948 9.20 12,900 

1942 Dec. 2, 1941 9.73 15,100 1950 Nov. 27, 1949 15.11 36,500 

1943 Jan. 15, 1943 10.00 16,300 1951 Feb. 10, 1951 15.69 43,300 

(131) South Fork Nooksack River near Wickersham, Vlash. 

Location.--Lat 48039 1 5011 , long. 122007 1 5011 , in lot 2, sec. 26, T. 37 N., R. 5 E., three-quarters 

of a mile above Skookum Creek and 4 mi east of Wickersham. 

Drainage area.--103 sq mi. 

Gage.--Nonrecording prior to July 1934; recording thereafter. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 10,300 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. · 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

year Date height Discharge ·(ft) (cfs) 

1935 Nov. 5, 1934 9.95 11,200 1944 Dec. 3, 1943 9.10 9,090 

1936 May 4, 1936 6.51 . 3' 770 1945 Jan • 7, 1945 10.10 11,300 

1937 Dec. 6, 1936 8.88 8,470 1946 Oct. 25, 1945 11.38 14,400 

1938 Oct. 28, 1937 10.70 12,900 

1939 Jan. l, 1939 8.49 7,760 

1947 Oct. 24, 1946 ll.Sl 15,600 

1948 Oct. 18, 1947 11.26 14,400 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 7.81 6,380 1949 Feb. 16, 1949 7.14 4,850 

1941 Jan. 18, 1941 7.26 5,340 1950 Nov. 27, 1949 12.00 17,000 

1942 Nov. 13, 1941 8.26 7,370 1951 Feb. 10, 1951 11.89 16,600 

1943 Jan. 14, 1943 8.75 8,430 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 117 

Stations from which nonhomogeneous records were obtained 

This section contains a brief description and tabulation of all annual flood-peak records 

that were nonhomogeneous. 

HIND RIVER BASIN 

Panther Creek near Ca~son, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 45°48 1 0011 , long. 121°52 1 00", in swt sec. 25, T. 4 N., R. 7~ E~, a third of a mile 

upstream from Cedar Creek and 6 mi north of Carson. 

Drainage area.--30.1 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge rel~~ion.--Define d by current-meter m~asurements below 1,500 cfs and extended by 

logaritlunic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Vvater Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 5.0 2,150 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 4.86 2,030 

1947 Dec. 15, 1946 4.58 1,830 

1948 Jan. 7, 1948 5.1 2,230 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 4.16 1,500 

1950 Feb. 24, 1950 4.67 1,880 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 4.67 1,920 

CO\VLITZ RIVER BASIN 

South Fork Toutle River at Toutle, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 46°19 1 2011 , long.l22041 1 4511 , in swtmvt sec. 28, T. 10 H., R. l E., half a mile 

southwest of Toutle, l~ mi upstream from mouth, and 3 mi downstream from Johnson Creek. 

Draina~r:~.--118 sq mi. 

Gage.--Reco~ing. Datum of gage is at mean sea level (from river-profile survey). 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 4,600 cfs and extended by 

logarith~ic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage YJa ter Gage 

year Date height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

year Date height 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1940 Dec. 15, 1939 56.50 5,820 1946 Dec. 28, 1945 57.20 6,140 

1941 Jan. 18, 1941 55.39 3,880. 1947 Dec. ll, 1946 58.54 8,710 

1942 Dec. 19, 1941 56.99 6,770 1948 Mar. 22, 1948 56.78 4,720 

1943 Nov. 23, 1942 57.32 6,490 1949 Feb. 17, 1949 57.23 5,600 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 56.34 4,560 19.50 Mar. 5, 1950 57.30 7,670 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 57.84 7 290 1951 Feb. ll, 1951 56.85 6,200 
118 FLOODS IU i;VEST'.SRN WASHINGTON 

CHEHALIS RIVER BASIN 

Rock Creek a~ Cedarville, Ti as~. 

Location.--Lat 46°52 1 0511 , long. 123018 1 25", in swtswt sec. 15i T. 16 H., R. 5 w., 0.2 mile dovmstream from Williams Creek, 1 mi west of Cedarville, and 14 mi upstrea~ from mouth. 

Drainage area.--24.8 sq mi. 

GafJe.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge_relation·.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 800 cfs and E?xtended by 

logarith~ic plotting. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Vlater Gage 

year Date he ig[lt 

(ft) 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 12.55 1,440 

1946 Dec. 28, 1945 10.04 1,000 

1947 Feb. 2, 1947 11.72 1,310 

1948 Mar. 22, 1948 10.76 1,140 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 12.22 1,370 

1950 Dec. 28, 1949 12.31 1,390 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 13.77 1,640 

}TIThtPTULIPS RIVER BASIN 

Humptulips River near Humptulips, n ash. 

Location.--La~ 47°13 1 4511 , long. 123°56 1 3011 , in NEt sec. 17, T. 20 N., R. 10 '-J ., at abandoned 

bridge site, 1 mi southeast of Humptulips, 2~ mi upstream from Stevens Creek, and 3% mi 

downstream from Forks. 

Dra~~~ge area.--125 sq mi. 

Gage.--1Jonrecording gage prior to March 1, 1950; recording thereafter. Datum of gage is 117.4 

ft above mean sea level (river-profile s urvey). 

Stage-di~~~~£~relation.--Defined b y current-meter measurements below 9,800 cfs and extended by 

slope-area method. 

Rema~~~· --No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1934 Dec. 9, 1 933 9 .7 1 3 , 8 00 

1943 Apr. 1, 1943 7.90 9,800 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 9.60 13,600 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 11.02 16,900 

1946 Apr. 11, 1946 8.02 10,000 

1947 Jan. 25, 1947 9.62 15,200 

1948 Dec. 23, 1947 8 .24 11,800 

1949 Feb. 22, 1949 9.8 16,600 

1950 l'Jov. 26, 1949 10.5 13 ,600 

1951 Feb . 9, 1951 11.19 20,500 
GAG HJG-STATION RECORDS 119 

;3KOKOMISH RIVER BASIN 

SkoJ:comish River. near Potlatch, Wash. 

Location.•-Lat 47°19 1 0011 , long. 123°11 1 0511 , in NWiNWt sec. 15, T. 21 H., R. 4 w., half a mile 

upstreaJn from U. S. Highway 101, 2 3/4 mi downstream .from North Fork, 4 ·3/4 mi southwest of 

Potlatch, and 5~ mi upstream from mouth. · · 

Drainage are~.--237 sq mi. 

Ga~e.--Recording. 

Stage-discha~:;::~~~i!ion.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 18,000 cfs and extended 

by logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks. --Practically entire flow of North Fork ik diverted at dam no. · 2 and returned to sea through Cushman power plant no. 2. No regulation except as indicated under diversion. I . . . . . 

Annual flood peaks 

I 

Water I Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1944 Dec. 3, l943 8.85 11,400 

1945 Feb. 7, 1945 11.21 16,700 

1946 Apr. 11, 1946 7.33 9,320 

1947 Feb. 14, 1947 9.59 14,100 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 12.97 15,100 

1949 Feb. 22, 1949 11.57 11,900 

1950 Nov. 27, 1949 14.51 19,200 

1951 Feb. 10, 1951 14.30 18,600 

TAHUYA RIVER BASIN 

Tahuya River ne13:r Belfair, Ylash. 

Location.--Lat 47°29 1 4011 , long. 122°54 1 20", in SEiSEt sec~ 10, T. 23 1J., R. 2 W., ~ mi downstream from Panther Creek and 5 mi northwest of Belfair. 

Drain~g~-~.--16.5 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 490 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remark~.--Negligible diversions at flood stage. No regulation. 

Annua;t flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1946 Apr. 11, 1946 5.14 428 

1947 Feb. 14, 1947 6.23 622 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 5.81 544 

1949 Feb .• 22., 1949 7.97 900 

1951 .Feb. 9, 1951 7.41 780 
120 FLOODS IN WESTERN VlASIIINGTON 

CHAMBERS CREEK BASIN 

Cha'11bers Creek below Leach Creek, near Steilacoom, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°12 1 , long. 122°32 1 , in NEiNEt sec. 27, T. 20 N., R. 2 E., a quarter of a mile 

downstream from Leach Creek, lt mi downstream from outlet of Steilacoom Lake, and 3 mi northeast of Steilacoom. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-dis~~~~.-~~!~i!~~.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 680 cfs and extended by 

logarith'11ic plotting. 

Remarks.--Ne gligible diversions at flood stage. Negligible regulation by gates at outlet of 

Steilacoom Lake at flood stage, natural regulation by Steilacoom Lake. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

Crt) (cfs) 

. 1944 Feb. 6, 1944 2.17 128 

1945 Apr. 8, 1945 2.38 166 

1946 Jan. 7, 1946 3.00 348 

1947 Feb. 2, 1947 2.92 323 

1948 Jan. 14, 1948 2.47 281 

1949 Feb. 17, 1949 2.46 321 

1950 Mar. 4, 1950 3.06 611 

1951 Feb. 11, 1 951 3.12 661 

LAKE WASHINGTON BASIN 

Bear Creek at Redmond, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47040 11011 , long. 122°06 1 30", in NEt sec. 12, T. 25 N., R. 5 E., half a mile east 

of Redmond and three-quarters of a mile upstream from mouth. 

Drainage area.--47.0 s~ mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

Stage-discharge rel~ti£~.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 380 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks.--Negligible diversions at flood stage. No regulation. 

Annual flood peaks · 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1946 Feb. 6, 1946 5.57 363 

1947 Feb. 2, 1947 6.10 416 

1948 Feb. 26, 1948 5.45 349 

1949 Feb. 22, 1949 6.44 444 

1950 Mar. 5, 1950 6.52 654 
GAGING-STATION RECORDS 

SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN 

Wallace River at. Gold Bar, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 47°51 1 50", long. 121°41 145", .in NE% sec-. 6, T. 27 N., H. _9 E., at county road 

crossing, a quarter of a mile north of Gold Bar and 1% mi upstream from Olney Creek. 

Drainage area.--19.8 sq mi. 

Gage.--Recording. 

12],. 

Stage-discharge relation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 930 cfs and extdnded by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Hemarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peal{s 

Water Gage · 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1929 June 15, 1929 2.85 470 

1930 Feb. 1, 1930 6.64 1,630 

1931 Jan. 27, 1931 6.60 1,630 

1932 Feb. 26, 1932 8.25 2,590 

1933 Dec. 2, 1933 8.00 2,560 

Change . in datum 

1947 Oct. 25, 1946 8.20 1,580 

1948 Oct. 19, 1947 7.83 1,380 

1949 Nov. 23, 1948 8.09 1,480 

1950 Mar. 4, 1950 7.98 1,500 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 8.9o 1,960 

ST.ILLAGUAMISH RIVER BASIN 

Deer Creek at Oso, Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48017 1 10", long. 121°55 1 5011 , in sec. 5, T. 321·N., R. 7 E., 1% mi above Oso and 

mouth. 

Drainage area.--71 sq mi. 

Gage.--Hecording. 

Stage-discharge reiation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 1,130 cfs and extended on 

basis of velocity-area studies. 

Remarks.--No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height 

( ft r Discharge 

(cfs) 

1918 Dec. 18, 1917 10.05 9,300 

1919 Dec. 4, 1918 9.7 7,850 

1920 Nov. 15, 1919 9.9 8,490 

1921 Feb. 11, 1921 - 6,000 

1922 Dec. 12, 1921 11.7 10,400 

1923 Oct. 25, 1922 9.5 7,230 

1924 Feb. 11, 1924 10.4 8,490 

1925 Dec. 10, 1924 9.50 7,230 

1926 Dec. 23, 1925 8.60 6,170 

1927 Oct. 16, 1926 8.25 5,640 

1928 Jan. 12, 1928 9.4 7,290 

1929 Nov. 9, 1928 8.53 6,030 

1930 Dec. 13, 1929 8.2 5,640 
122 FLOODS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON 

SKAGIT RIVER BASIN 

Day Creek near Lyman; Wash. 

Location.--Lat 48°30 1 05", long. 122°02 14011 , in mvt sec. 28, T. 35 N., R. 6 E., at county highway 

bridge, three-quarters of a m:tle upstream from mouth and 2~ mi southeast of Lyman. 

Draina~ea.--38.1 sq mi. 

Gag~.--Recording. 

Stage-dischar~~~lation.--Defined by current-meter measurements below 1,250 cfs and extended by 

logarithmic plotting. 

Remarks .... -No diversion or regulation. 

Annual flood peaks 

Water Gage 

year Date height Discharge 

(ft) (cfs) 

1944 Dec. 3, 1943 7.60 3,780 

1945 Jan. 7, 1945 7.85 4,310 

1946 Nov. 14, 1945 7.77 4,310 

1947 Oct. 24, 1946 8.12 4,530 

1948 Oct. 18, 1947 7.94 4,420 

1949 · Feb. 16, 1949 6.85 3,330 

1950 Dec. 28, 1949 8.35 5,570 

1951 Feb. 9, 1951 7.72 4,510 
MISC.lf-LLANEOUS FLOOD PEAKS 123 

MISCELLANEOUS FLOOD PEAKS . 

The following table is a list of extreme maximum flood peaks, which were determined by indirect methods in ungaged areas and used .to help develop the env~loping curve, figure 10. 

Data for peak discharge determinations at miscellaneous points 

Drainage SecondNo. Gaging station Date Discharge area · feet per 

I (cfs) ( sq mi) sq mi· 

A Bagley Creek near Sequim .•.•••••••.... Feb. 16, 1949 436 5.3 82.3 ' . 

B Grays River near Grays River. ~ •••••••• .Feb .• 22, 1949 13,900 64.0 217.2 

c West Fork Grays River near Grays - River. Feb• 22, 1949 3,700 16.3 227.0 

D Peabody Creek near Port Angeles . •• ••• Feb. 16, 1949 273 1.8 151.7 

E Siebert Creek near Sequim ••.•••••••.••• Feb. 16, 1949 1,290 17.0 75.9 

F Skamokawa Creek near Skamokawa .•• •• •. Feb. 17, 1949 2,280 17.4 131.0 
124 FLOODS IN 'WES.TERN WASJUNGTON 

'SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Anderson, I. E., 1948, Floods in the Puyallup and Chehalis River basins, Yvashington: U. S. Geol. 

Survey Water-Supply Paper 968-B. 

Cross, W. P., 1~46, Floods in Ohio, magnitude · and ~requency: Ohio Water Resources Board Bull. 7. 

Dalr'YI!lple, Tate, 1950, Regional ~load ~requency, Research Report No. 11-B, Highway Rese.arch 

Board, Washington, D. C • 

.Tarvis, C. S., and others, 1936, Floods iri the United States, magnitude and ~requency: U. s. 

Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 771. 

Kinnison, H. B., and Colby, B. R., 1945, Flood ~ormulas based on drainage basin characteristics: 

Am. Soc. Civil Eng. Trans., val. 110, pp. 849-904. 

Powell, R. w., 1943, A simple method of estimating ~load ~requencies: Civil Eng., pp. 105-106, 

February 1943. 

Rantz, S. E., and Riggs, H. C., 1949, Magnitude and frequency o~ floods in the Columbia River 

basin: U. s. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 1080. 

Simons, W. D., 1948, Relation o~ flood frequencies to ba_sin characteristics--Upper Columbia River 

basin, May 1948, pp. 59-61 (unpublished). 

Stewart, .r. E., 1923, Floods in Skagit River basin, Wa shington (unpublished). 

Statistics 

Arkin, Herbert, and Colton, Raymond, 1939, An outline of statistical methods, 4th ed., New York, 

Barnes and Noble. 

Brownlee., K. A., 1948, Industrial experimentation, New York, Chemical Publishing Co. 

Ezekiel, Mordecai, 1950, Methods o~ correlation analysis, 2d ed., New York, John Wiley and Sons, 

Inc. 

Fisher, R. A., 1950, Statistical methods ~or research workers, 11th ed., rev., New York, Ha~ner 

Publishing Co., 

Snedecor, G. W., 1946, Statistical methods, 4th ad., Ames, Iowa, Iowa State College Press. 

GP0-87-80142