River Conditions
Illustrated map of Green Peter Lake

River stage

Vancouver, Columbia River

River level
2.26 ft
Status
Below flood stage
Action stage
15.00 ft
Flood stage
16.00 ft
Record crest
33.60 ft

Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS VAPW1

Record crest
33.60 ft
Flood stage
16.00 ft
Moderate flood
20.00 ft
Major flood
25.00 ft
Crest date
1894-06-07

In brief

The Columbia River at Vancouver, WA read 2.26 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 12.74 ft below action stage.

Source: National Weather Service gauge VAPW1

Stage threshold profile

Action stage 15.00 ftMinor flooding 16.00 ftModerate flooding 20.00 ftMajor flooding 25.00 ft CURRENT 2.26 ft

Highest crests on record

RankCrestDate
1 33.60 ft 1894-06-07
2 31.00 ft 1948-06-13
3 30.80 ft 1948-06-01
4 27.70 ft 1964-12-25
5 27.60 ft 1956-06-04
6 27.20 ft 1996-02-09
7 26.30 ft 1933-06-19
8 26.20 ft 1928-05-31

Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.

What happens at each level

  1. 16.00 ft

    expect flooding of some islands and low areas, with minor impacts for parks and trails along the river.

  2. 16.50 ft

    expect flooding of several parks along the Columbia River in Clark and Multnomah Counties, including Capt William Clark Park in Washougal, areas around Vancouver Lake, and trails along the Columbia River. Low areas on Sauvie Island and Government Island are flooded. Boaters should be aware of faster currents and more debris than usual in the river.

  3. 17.00 ft

    expect flooding of some lowland access roads, parking areas, and trails on Sauvie Island, around Vancouver Lake, and other parks and trails along the Columbia in the Portland / Vancouver metro area. Access to some house-boat communities is impaired.

  4. 18.00 ft

    expect flooding of property and farmland not protected by levees to begin. The main areas impacted have historically been from Sauvies Island downstream to Woodland. Inundation of parks and trails along the Columbia in and near Vancouver and Portland will continue. Access to some floating home communities may be affected.

  5. 20.00 ft

    expect widespread flooding of unleveed lowland and agricultural land, along with flooding of the access road under the north end of the Interstate Bridge. Islands on the Columbia downstream from the Interstate Bridge are threatened above this level. Access to parks, trails, and some house-boat communities in and near Portland and Vancouver will be impacted.

  6. 24.00 ft

    expect numerous sloughs to begin flooding in the Portland and Vancouver area. Numerous islands on the Columbia river both upstream and downstream from the Interstate Bridge have historically begun to flood at this point. Also expect flooding of parks and lowland areas near the Sandy River confluence above this level.

  7. 27.00 ft

    expect widespread flooding of low lying farmland, islands on the river, and sloughs in the Portland and Vancouver area. Historically, river traffic has been halted to prevent water from overtopping the lowest dikes along the river.

  8. 30.00 ft

    expect widespread flood inundation along the Columbia from Vancouver downstream to Woodland. Numerous islands and sloughs on the Columbia upstream and downstream of the I-5 bridge are flooded. Many industries along the river have historically ceased operations at this level.

  9. 31.00 ft

    expect major flooding. Overtopping of some lower levees is possible. Expect widespread inundation along the Columbia from Vancouver downstream to Woodland on the Washington side and Portland and Sauvie Island on the Oregon side. Tributary rivers will be backed up. Port operations and ship traffic will be affected.

  10. 34.00 ft

    expect flooding of much of downtown Vancouver, along with major flooding along the Columbia River from Vancouver downstream to Woodland along the Washington side and Portland and Sauvie Island on the Oregon side. Some lower levees may be overtopped.

Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Columbia River flooding at Vancouver?

No. The Columbia River at Vancouver is at 2.26 ft, 12.74 ft below action stage.

What is the flood stage at Vancouver?

The National Weather Service sets action stage 15 ft, minor flooding 16 ft, moderate flooding 20 ft and major flooding 25 ft.

What is the highest the Columbia River has been at Vancouver?

The highest crest on record is 33.6 ft, on 1894-06-07.

Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge VAPW1). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.