Canada
United States
Belgium
France
Ireland
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Austria
Czechia
Germany
Poland
Slovenia
Switzerland
Italy
Spain
Türkiye
Denmark
Finland
Norway
SwedenWard Creek at Highway 89 near Tahoe Pines water level
River gauge, Ward Creek, California, United States
Right now
Below flood stage
Water level
- Flow
- 0.5 cfs
- Water temperature
- 42 °F
History
What this means
Ward Creek at Highway 89 near Tahoe Pines is at 5.12 ft, in the normal range.
It is 2.88 ft below the flood stage of 8.00 ft.
The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. In the last month it has stayed between 5.11 ft and 5.14 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns. The sensor also reports a water temperature of 42 °F.
Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Highest on record
- 9.74 ftJanuary 1, 1997
Floating and fishing near Ward Creek at Highway 89 near Tahoe Pines
Normal flows mean predictable rapids and good access at most put-ins.
Flood stage here is 8.00 ft, 2.88 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.
What happens at each level
- 9.36 ft
- Record flood from 1/1/1997. CA Highway 89 washes out and many homes along creek flood.
- 9.00 ft
- Major flood stage. IMpacts to highway 89, local roads, and homes likely.
- 8.50 ft
- Moderate flood stage. Significant impact to roads. Water nears lowest homes.
- 8.00 ft
- Flood stage. Minor flooding of roads and low lying property.
- 7.50 ft
- Monitor stage. No flooding.
- 5.12 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9.74 ft | January 1, 1997 |
| 2 | 9.25 ft | January 9, 2017 |
| 3 | 9.14 ft | December 19, 1981 |
| 4 | 9.01 ft | December 31, 2005 |
| 5 | 8.80 ft | January 13, 1980 |
| 6 | 8.67 ft | April 7, 2018 |
| 7 | 8.51 ft | December 2, 2012 |
| 8 | 8.29 ft | May 16, 1996 |
| 9 | 8.19 ft | May 19, 2005 |
| 10 | 8.07 ft | March 8, 1996 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Other gauges on Ward Creek
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ward Creek below Confluence near Tahoe CityRiver gauge, Ward Creek | 2.98 ft | No reference yet | ±0 | 3.0 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackwood Creek near Tahoe CityRiver gauge, Blackwood Creek | 7.60 ft | Below flood stage | ±0 | 1.7 mi |
| Truckee R A Tahoe CityRiver gauge | 2.56 ft | Below flood stage | ±0 | 2.5 mi |
| General Creek near Meeks BayRiver gauge, General Creek | 0.91 ft | Below flood stage | +0.01 ft | 5.9 mi |
| Truckee River near TruckeeRiver gauge, Truckee River | 1.64 ft | Below flood stage | ±0 | 12 mi |
| Glenbrook Creek at GlenbrookRiver gauge, Glenbrook Creek | 0.2 cfs | Low | ±0 | 12 mi |
| Donner Creek at Highway 89 near TruckeeRiver gauge, Donner Creek | 3.20 ft | Below flood stage | −0.05 ft | 13 mi |
| Third Creek near Crystal BayRiver gauge, Third Creek | 2.8 cfs | Normal | +0.1 cfs | 14 mi |
| Incline Creek near Crystal BayRiver gauge, Incline Creek | 1.56 ft | Below flood stage | ±0 | 14 mi |
Questions and answers
What is flood stage for Ward Creek at Highway 89 near Tahoe Pines?
The official flood stage is 8.00 ft. The level is currently 2.88 ft below it.
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 Ward Creek at Highway 89 near Tahoe Pines today?
On Oct 21, 2026, 02:30 AM PDT, the water level was 5.12 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is Ward Creek at Highway 89 near Tahoe Pines rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Steady over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Ward Creek at Highway 89 near Tahoe Pines normal?
Below flood stage. Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge.
What is the highest water level ever recorded at Ward Creek at Highway 89 near Tahoe Pines?
The highest level on record is 9.74 ft on January 1, 1997.
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:10336676(Agency page)- Coordinates
39.13211, -120.15767(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NAVD88
- 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 | 5.12 ft | 2026-10-21 09:30 | Provisional |
| Flow | 0.5 cfs | 2026-10-21 09:30 | Provisional |
| Water temperature | 42 °F | 2026-10-21 09:30 | Provisional |
Download
Embed this gauge
Add a live card for this gauge to your website. It updates on its own and links back here.
How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Ward Creek at Highway 89 near Tahoe Pines (usgs:10336676). Accessed October 21, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/california/ward-creek-at-highway-89-near-tahoe-pines
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