* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of northwest and west central Washington, including the following counties, in northwest Washington, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Skagit and Whatcom. In west central Washington, King, Lewis, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston. * WHEN...From 10 AM PST this morning through Thursday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Storm drains and ditches may become clogged with debris. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - A series of weather systems this week will bring another round of significant rainfall to western Washington through Wednesday. Preliminary liquid totals of 2 to 6 inches, locally higher in some spots, will cause additional sharp rises to area rivers. Urban and small stream flooding remains possible for areas with poor drainage. Very saturated soils will maintain increased risk for potential landslides and debris flows off of burn scars. - Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
The Whitewater River, located in the Olympic National Park of Washington, is a popular destination for kayakers and rafters due to its challenging class IV-V rapids.
Wind
Humidity
The ideal streamflow range for the Whitewater River is between 500-1500 cubic feet per second (cfs), which typically occurs in the spring and early summer months.
The river is broken up into three segments, with the upper segment being the most challenging and technical. The upper segment spans 6.5 miles and is rated as a class V+ run, with several steep drops, waterfalls, and tight boulder gardens. The middle segment spans 4 miles and is rated as a class IV-V run, with continuous rapids and several large drops. The lower segment spans 2.5 miles and is rated as a class III-IV run, with fun, playful rapids and a few technical sections.
There are several notable rapids on the Whitewater River, including "Entrance Exam," "S-Turn," "Corkscrew," and "The Slot." Obstacles such as strainers and log jams can be found throughout the river and should be navigated with caution.
Regulations for the Whitewater River include obtaining a permit from the Olympic National Park, using Leave No Trace principles, and following all safety guidelines and regulations set by the National Park Service. It is recommended that paddlers have advanced whitewater skills and experience before attempting the Whitewater River.
| Last Updated | 2025-12-11 |
| River Levels | 1830 cfs (3.82 ft) |
| Percent of Normal | 526% |
| Status | |
| Class Level | iv-v |
| Elevation | ft |
| Run Length | 134.0 Mi |
| Streamflow Discharge | cfs |
| Gauge Height | ft |
| Reporting Streamgage | USGS 12039500 |
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With South Fork Hoh River
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Queets River
Headwaters And Inlcudes All Tributaries To Confluence With South Fork Hoh River
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Unnamed Tributaries