Carbon River

Last Updated: May 3, 2026

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the reporting a streamflow rate of cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Carbon River, with a gauge stage of ft at this location. This river is monitored from 1 different streamgauging stations along the Carbon River, the highest being situated at an altitude of ft, the .

The Carbon River is a 30-mile-long river that flows through Pierce County in western Washington state.


15-Day Long Term Forecast


       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Carbon River Near Fairfax
USGS 12094000
444 cfs 6.87 ft 15.63
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Carbon River is a river in the U.S. state of Washington. It flows about 30 miles (48 km) from its source, the Carbon Glacier on Mount Rainier, to join the Puyallup River at Orting.
Charles Wilkes called the river the "Upthascap River", but after the discovery of coal along its banks in 1876 the river was renamed "Carbon".