Puyallup River River Levels

Total streamflow across the Puyallup River was last observed at 5,328 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 10,568 acre-ft of water today; about 65% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 8,176 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2025-12-09 when daily discharge volume was observed at 85,340 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Puyallup River At Puyallup reporting a streamflow rate of 2,960 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Puyallup River At Alderton with a gauge stage of 46.79 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 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.