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River report

Lewis River Flow Today

As of October 15, 2026 at 1:00 AM, the Lewis River is flowing at 1,400 cfs at Ariel, WA — 101% of normal for the date. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 164 to 1,400 cfs. ❤ Favorite

USGS gauges
2 2 reporting · upstream → down
Lewis River Above Muddy River Near Cougar: 59% of normalLewis River At Ariel: 101% of normal
Typical gauge
80% of normal for the date
0%normal200%
Biggest flow now
1,400cfs Ariel
Updated
Oct 15, 1:00 AM
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River briefing · Oct 15, 2026

Lewis River conditions today

Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.

At Ariel, the Lewis River is running 1,400 cfs — 101% of normal. Along the river, 1 of 2 reporting gauges are near normal (the typical gauge is at 80% of normal).

Headwaters to mouth

How the Lewis River compares to normal

Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.

Flow along the river, upstream to downstream

  1. Cougar1,085 ft 164 cfs59%
  2. Ariel49 ft 1,400 cfs101%

Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.

Where every gauge sits

One dot per Lewis River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (80%).

Typical gauge 80%
0%50%100% · normal150%200%+
Much below normal0Below normal1Near normal1Above normal0Much above normal0

Lewis River flow report

2 gauges
Streamgage Streamflow % of normal 24h Gage height Elevation
Lewis River Above Muddy River Near Cougar WA
Oct 15, 12:30 AM · USGS 14216000
164 cfs 59% -2% 0.94 ft 1,085 ft
Lewis River At Ariel WA
Oct 15, 1:00 AM · USGS 14220500
1,400 cfs 101% 0% 1.62 ft 49 ft

USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.

History

Lewis River streamflow over time

Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.

Maximum streamflow by year

About this river

Lewis River

The Lewis River is located in southwestern Washington state and stretches 95 miles, originating from the western slopes of Mount Adams. Historically, the river was used by the Chinook Indians as a trading and fishing route. Today, it is primarily used for hydroelectric power and is managed by the Pacific Power and Light Company. The river is dammed in several locations, including the Merwin Dam, Yale Dam, and Swift Dam, which create reservoirs for power generation and recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The river also supports agriculture in the region, with farms located along its banks producing crops such as berries and vegetables. The Lewis River remains an important resource for the community, providing power, recreation, and sustenance.

FAQ

About the Lewis River

How is the Lewis River flowing right now?

As of October 15, 2026, the Lewis River is flowing at 1,400 cfs at Ariel, WA, about 101% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 164 to 1,400 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.

Is the Lewis River running high or low?

The typical gauge on the Lewis River is at 80% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.

Where does the data come from?

Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.

Can I get alerts for a gauge?

Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.

More river levels

Rivers in Washington