Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam is flowing at 138,000 cfs with a gage height of 16.79 ft, rising 20% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #12472800, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam at a glance
How Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam is flowing at 138,000 cfs, with the water sitting 16.79 ft at the gage. Flow is up 20% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #12472800 in Washington. Over the past 10 days the average has been 117,090 cfs, peaking at 147,000 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam is expected to recede from today's 115000 cfs, toward roughly 102079 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 57791-180306 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Washington flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam
The flow is primarily supplied by snowmelt from the Columbia Basin and its tributaries, including the Snake River. The seasonal trend shows peak flows in late spring due to snowmelt, while low flows occur in the winter. The river is regulated by several dams, including Priest Rapids Dam and Wanapum Dam. One interesting fact is that the Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest and is home to several species of fish, including salmon and steelhead.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam | 138,000 cfs |
| Crab Creek Near Beverly | 103 cfs |
| Granger Drain At Granger | 50 cfs |
| Yakima River At Mabton | 1,810 cfs |
| Yakima River Above Ahtanum Creek At Union Gap | 2,720 cfs |
| Ahtanum Creek At Union Gap | 12 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Trough | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Trough | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam.
Boat launches
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River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam
Where does the streamflow data for Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 12472800. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam report
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