Skookumchuck River River Levels

Last Updated: December 18, 2025

The Skookumchuck River is a 35-mile-long river located in southwestern Washington state.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Skookumchuck River was last observed at 4,070 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 8,073 acre-ft of water today; about 407% of normal. River levels are high. Average streamflow for this time of year is 1,000 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2022-01-07 when daily discharge volume was observed at 19,200 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Skookumchuck River Bl Bldy Run Cr Nr Centralia reporting a streamflow rate of 1,520 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Skookumchuck River Near Vail with a gauge stage of 725.48 ft. This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Skookumchuck River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 724 ft, the Skookumchuck River Near Vail.

River Details

Last Updated 2025-12-17
Discharge Volume 8,073 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 4,070.0 cfs
+454.0 cfs (+12.56%)
Percent of Normal 407.0%
Maximum 19,200.0 cfs
2022-01-07
Seasonal Avg 1,000 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Skookumchuck River Near Vail
USGS 12025700
1040 cfs 725.48 ft 9.94
Skookumchuck River Bl Bldy Run Cr Nr Centralia
USGS 12026150
1520 cfs 330.2 ft 26.67
Skookumchuck River Near Bucoda
USGS 12026400
1510 cfs 208.44 ft 2.72
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Skookumchuck River is a 45-mile (72 km) long river located in southwest Washington, United States. It is a tributary of the Chehalis River and thence to the Pacific Ocean. The Skookumchuck Dam was built in 1970, creating the Skookumchuck Reservoir. The dam provides water supply for the 1400-megawatt Centralia Steam Electric Plant and supplements flows for fish resources. The river begins with several tributaries in the Snoqualmie National Forest in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, and flows west past the town of Bucoda, Washington to its confluence with the Chehalis River near Centralia, Washington.
The name Skookumchuck derives from Chinook Jargon: in this context, "rapids". The word skookum means "strong", and chuck means "water".