River stage
Packwood, Cowlitz River
- River level
- 0.84 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.17 ft
- Recent high
- 1.81 ft
- Recent low
- 0.86 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS PACW1
- 30-day change
- -0.29 ft
- Average
- 1.21 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 14.59 ft
In brief
The Cowlitz River at Packwood, WA read 0.84 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 7.36 ft below action stage. That is 0.29 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge PACW1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14.59 ft | 2006-11-06 |
| 2 | 13.73 ft | 1977-12-02 |
| 3 | 13.54 ft | 1959-11-23 |
| 4 | 13.23 ft | 1962-11-20 |
| 5 | 13.00 ft | 1933-12-21 |
| 6 | 12.80 ft | 1980-12-26 |
| 7 | 12.80 ft | 1975-12-04 |
| 8 | 12.48 ft | 1990-11-24 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 10.00 ft
the Cowlitz River will spill over its banks into nearby low pasture lands from the upper reaches downstream through Packwood.
- 10.50 ft
the Cowlitz River will cause minor flooding from the upper reaches of the river downstream through Packwood...covering several roads along the river and nearby pasture lands.
- 11.00 ft
the Cowlitz River will cause flooding from the upper reaches of the river downstream through Packwood...inundating roads...pasture lands...and some farms.
- 12.00 ft
the Cowlitz River will cause major flooding from the upper reaches of the river downstream through Packwood...with dangerous flooding of roads including US Highway 12...pasture lands...and farms throughout the flood plain. Flood waters will inundate some residential and commercial areas. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Cowlitz River Basin.
- 13.00 ft
the Cowlitz River will cause severe near record flooding from the upper reaches of the river downstream through Packwood...with dangerous inundation of residential and commercial areas...roads...and farms throughout the flood plain. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Cowlitz River Basin.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cowlitz River flooding at Packwood?
No. The Cowlitz River at Packwood is at 0.84 ft, 7.36 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Packwood?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 8.2 ft, minor flooding 10.5 ft, moderate flooding 11 ft and major flooding 12 ft.
What is the highest the Cowlitz River has been at Packwood?
The highest crest on record is 14.59 ft, on 2006-11-06.
Is the Cowlitz River high or low right now at Packwood?
At 0.84 ft it is higher than 0% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge PACW1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 14226500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.