Nisqually River near National water level
River gauge, Nisqually River, Washington, United States
Right now
Normal for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 160 cfs
History
20252026
What this means
The gauge at Nisqually River near National reads 4.08 ft, a normal level for mid-October.
The median for mid-October is 3.96 ft, based on 40 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.12 ft above typical. On the same day last year the reading was 5.09 ft, a difference of −1.01 ft.
It has barely moved over the past 24 hours. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 4.03 ft and 4.74 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns.
Compared with 40 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 3.96 ft0.12 ft above the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 2.18 ft – 5.45 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (40 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 5.09 ft−1.01 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 4.03 ft – 4.74 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 4.03 ft – 10.25 ft
What the stage means on the water
A normal level is usually prime time for floating and wade fishing, as long as the weather holds upstream.
Weather at the gauge
No rain in the last 3 days.
Forecast: Open-Meteo
Map
Other gauges on the Nisqually River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nisqually River at La Grande DamRiver gauge, Nisqually River | 36.6 cfs | No reference yet | ±0 | 12 mi |
| Nisqually River at La GrandeRiver gauge, Nisqually River | 4.23 ft | Normal | ±0 | 13 mi |
| Nisqually River at McKennaRiver gauge, Nisqually River | 1.52 ft | Normal | ±0 | 26 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral Creek near MineralRiver gauge, Mineral Creek | 18.9 cfs | Very low | ±0 | 2.9 mi |
| Puyallup River near ElectronRiver gauge, Puyallup River | 3.18 ft | Low | −0.03 ft | 11 mi |
| Mashel River near La GrandeRiver gauge, Mashel River | 1.81 ft | Very low | −0.01 ft | 13 mi |
| Ohop Creek near EatonvilleRiver gauge, Ohop Creek | 1.56 ft | Low | −0.03 ft | 13 mi |
| Cowlitz River at RandleRiver gauge, Cowlitz River | 3.69 ft | Normal | ±0 | 16 mi |
| Carbon River near FairfaxRiver gauge, Carbon River | 5.54 ft | Very low | −0.07 ft | 19 mi |
| Cowlitz River near KosmosRiver gauge, Cowlitz River | 456 cfs | Very low | +3.0 cfs | 20 mi |
| Puyallup River near OrtingRiver gauge, Puyallup River | 5.97 ft | Very high | −0.05 ft | 21 mi |
Questions and answers
Is the Nisqually River near National higher than last year?
No, it is 1.01 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 5.09 ft.
What is a normal level for the Nisqually River near National in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 3.96 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 2.18 ft and 5.45 ft, based on 40 years of records.
Is gage height the same as water depth?
No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.
What is the water level of Nisqually River near National today?
On Oct 19, 2026, 11:00 AM PDT, the water level was 4.08 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is Nisqually River near National rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Up 0.05 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Nisqually River near National normal?
Normal for mid-October. Compared with 40 years of daily readings for this time of year.
How often is this data updated?
The U.S. Geological Survey publishes a new reading every 15 minutes. This page refreshes within minutes of each update.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:12082500(Agency page)- Coordinates
46.75261, -122.08372(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NGVD29
- Update interval
- every 15 minutes
- Licence
- Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision
Published series
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | 4.08 ft | 2026-10-19 18:00 | Provisional |
| Flow | 160 cfs | 2026-10-19 18:00 | Provisional |
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Nisqually River near National (usgs:12082500). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/washington/nisqually-river-near-national
How we check values
Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.
Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer