PUYALLUP RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
December 21, 2024


TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE

Total streamflow across the Puyallup River was last observed at 13,110 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 26,003 acre-ft of water today; about 183% of normal. River levels are high. Average streamflow for this time of year is 7,148 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2020-02-06 when daily discharge volume was observed at 78,350 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Puyallup River At Puyallup reporting a streamflow rate of 6,870 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Puyallup River At Alderton with a gauge stage of 48.45 ft. This river is monitored from 4 different streamgauging stations along the Puyallup River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,641 ft, the Puyallup River Near Electron.

The Puyallup River is a 45-mile long river located in Pierce County, Washington. The river is known for its rich history as it was once home to the Puyallup Tribe who relied on the river for fishing and trade. Today, the river is used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. The river's hydrology is heavily influenced by Mount Rainier and its surrounding glaciers, causing the river to have high flows during the spring and low flows during the summer. Spanaway Lake and Lake Tapps are two reservoirs along the river that are used for hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and flood control. The river is also important for agriculture as it provides irrigation to several farms in the area. However, the river faces challenges with water pollution and habitat degradation, leading to efforts to improve water quality and restore salmon populations.

Last Updated 2024-12-19
Discharge Volume 26,003 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 13,110.0 cfs
+4960.0 cfs (+60.86%)
Percent of Normal 183.41%
Maximum 78,350.0 cfs
2020-02-06
Seasonal Avg 7,148 cfs

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Puyallup River Near Electron
USGS 12092000
1270 cfs 5.37 ft 14.41
Puyallup River Near Orting
USGS 12093500
859 cfs 5.95 ft -18.96
Puyallup River At Alderton
USGS 12096500
3500 cfs 48.45 ft 37.25
Puyallup River At Puyallup
USGS 12101500
6870 cfs 14.82 ft 106.93
History of the River

The Puyallup River ( pew-AL-əp) is a river in the U.S. state of Washington. About 45 miles (72 km) long, it is formed by glaciers on the west side of Mount Rainier. It flows generally northwest, emptying into Commencement Bay, part of Puget Sound. The river and its tributaries drain an area of about 948 square miles (2,460 km2) in Pierce County and southern King County.The river's watershed is the youngest in the Puget Sound region, having been formed from a series of lahars starting about 5,600 years ago. The valley's 150,000 residents are at risk from future lahars. For this reason, the United States Geological Survey has installed a lahar warning system.

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