Kelso, Cowlitz River

What happens at each level

1. 19.50 ft

   the river is at bankfull level.

2. 21.50 ft

   flooding of several low lying and secondary roads begins, including the Cowlitz Gardens neighborhood, along with flooding of pasture and lowland upstream of Kelso.

3. 24.50 ft

   flooding of a few residential areas in Kelso begins. Also expect widespread flooding of pasture land and low lying roads.

4. 26.50 ft

   some flooding of business and residential areas occurs in Kelso. Numerous road closures can be expected. The top of some levees are approached at this level.

5. 28.50 ft

   major flooding in Kelso occurs, including residential and business areas. Numerous roads are flooded and closed, and levees may be subject to erosion and overtopping at this level.

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