River stage
Ferndale, Nooksack River
- River level
- 3.65 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.41 ft
- Recent high
- 8.84 ft
- Recent low
- 3.57 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS NKSW1
- 30-day change
- -0.13 ft
- Average
- 4.45 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 31.23 ft
In brief
The Nooksack River at Ferndale, WA read 3.65 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 11.35 ft below action stage. That is 0.13 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge NKSW1
Water 51 °F (11 °C) · about normal for this date
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31.23 ft | 1951-02-10 |
| 2 | 30.60 ft | 1917-12-30 |
| 3 | 30.40 ft | 1932-02-27 |
| 4 | 30.20 ft | 1935-01-25 |
| 5 | 28.60 ft | 1945-10-26 |
| 6 | 28.15 ft | 1921-12-12 |
| 7 | 27.23 ft | 1955-11-04 |
| 8 | 26.38 ft | 1961-01-16 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 16.00 ft
the river begins spilling over its banks into low pasture lands flooding some roadways that are not protected by levees including Marine Drive and Ferndale Road.
- 17.00 ft
the Nooksack River will overtop levees along Bertrand Creek and near Marine Drive, causing shallow flooding of low pasture lands along the river and additional roadways within the floodplain including Slater Road.
- 18.00 ft
the river begins overtopping its banks within the City of Ferndale flooding low-lying areas within the City and low pasture lands along the river from near Ferndale downstream to the mouth.
- 20.00 ft
the river will flood additional areas within the City of Ferndale including low-lying residential areas and roads including Washington Street, Portal Way and Second Avenue.
- 20.50 ft
the Nooksack River will overflow levees and banks along the east bank of the river from Hovander Park downstream to Marietta, causing widespread flooding from near Ferndale downstream to the mouth...with swift waters in residential areas and over farm lands and roads. Erosion may damage some river banks.
- 22.00 ft
the Nooksack River will overflow levees and banks along the east bank of the river from Hovander Park downstream to Marietta, causing widespread flooding from near Ferndale downstream to the mouth...with swift waters in residential areas and over farmlands and roads. Erosion may damage some river banks. Flooding within the City of Ferndale affects Main Street in the vicinity of the Whatcom Transportation Authority Station.
- 23.00 ft
the Nooksack River will cause major near record flooding from near Ferndale downstream to the mouth, overtopping levees on both sides of the river and flooding roadways on the Lummi Peninsula including Hexton Way. Deep and swift flood waters will inundate residential areas...farm lands...and roads. In addition...flood waters could overflow and flood the Sumas drainage. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Nooksack River Basin.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Trout stocking on the Nooksack River
WDFW stocked the Nooksack River 1 time in 2026, 492 fish in total. Chum at Emergent fry.
| Species | Fish | When |
|---|---|---|
| Chum | 492 | March 2026 |
WDFW lists a week or a month rather than a date, and counts fish as an estimate. Full Washington stocking schedule →
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nooksack River flooding at Ferndale?
No. The Nooksack River at Ferndale is at 3.65 ft, 11.35 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Ferndale?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 15 ft, minor flooding 18 ft, moderate flooding 20.5 ft and major flooding 23 ft.
What is the highest the Nooksack River has been at Ferndale?
The highest crest on record is 31.23 ft, on 1951-02-10.
Is the Nooksack River high or low right now at Ferndale?
At 3.65 ft it is higher than 2% of readings over the last 122 days.
How warm is the water at Ferndale, Nooksack River?
The water temperature at Ferndale, Nooksack River is 51 °F (10.7 °C), measured 6:30 pm by USGS, which is about average for this date over the past ten years. It has held steady over the last 24 hours.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge NKSW1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 12213100). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.