Red Flag Warning
2026-04-13T20:00:00-06:00

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 214, 216, 238, 241, 242, 246 and 247. * TIMING...From 11 AM this morning to 8 PM MDT this evening. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts around 30 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.

Smith River

Last Updated: April 13, 2026

Total streamflow across the Smith River was last observed at 4,253 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 8,436 acre-ft of water today; about 56% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 7,577 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2016-12-15 when daily discharge volume was observed at 72,720 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Smith R Nr Crescent City Ca reporting a streamflow rate of 3,140 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Smith River Abv Trail Brdg Resv Nr Belknap Springs with a gauge stage of 2196.52 ft. This river is monitored from 12 different streamgauging stations along the Smith River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 4,402 ft, the Smith River Near Ft Logan Mt.

The Smith River is a 104-mile long river located in northwest California.


15-Day Long Term Forecast


River Details

Last Updated 2026-04-13
Discharge Volume 8,436 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 4,253.0 cfs
Past 24 Hours: -527.0 cfs (-11.03%)
Percent of Normal 56.13%
Maximum 72,720.0 cfs
2016-12-15
Seasonal Avg 7,577 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Smith River Near Ft Logan Mt
USGS 06076690
168 cfs 3.18 ft 24.44
Smith River Bl Eagle Cr Nr Fort Logan Mt
USGS 06077200
367 cfs 3.86 ft 31.07
Smith River Near Eden Mt
USGS 06077500
344 cfs 3.54 ft 33.33
Smith R Ab Smith R Res Nr Belknap Sprgs
USGS 14158790
69 cfs 6 ft -5.75
Smith River Abv Trail Brdg Resv Nr Belknap Springs
USGS 14158798
12 cfs 2196.52 ft -11.43
Smith River At Smith Riv Church Nr Woolwine
USGS 02071530
23 cfs 2.33 ft 0
Smith River Near Philpott
USGS 02072000
87 cfs 2.55 ft 0
Smith River At Bassett
USGS 02072500
104 cfs 1.61 ft 0
Smith River At Martinsville
USGS 02073000
160 cfs 1.73 ft 0
Smith River At Eden
USGS 02074000
234 cfs 2.04 ft 0
Smith River Near Bristol
USGS 01078000
149 cfs 3.14 ft -8.59
Smith R Nr Crescent City Ca
USGS 11532500
3140 cfs 8 ft -11.55
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

Smith River is an unincorporated settlement in the Liard Country of far northern British Columbia, Canada. It is located southwest of the junction of Shaw Creek with the Smith River, which enters the Liard between the confluences of the Toad and Coal Rivers.The settlement, which is located just south of the British Columbia-Yukon boundary, was the location of the coldest temperature ever recorded in British Columbia and the eighth-coldest temperature on record in Canada: -58.9 °C (-74 °F), on January 31, 1947.
During World War II Smith River was built up and used as an airport base as defense against the Japanese if they should ever invade the mainland of North America. A 6000 ft long runway was built at Smith River, and government maintained it until the 1970s, at which time the town was abandoned. In the Spring and Summer of 1982 a forest fire consumed all the remaining buildings.