Stehekin WA Flood Stage Change 2026

To:
Subscribers, Emergency Management Officials, News Media, and Public Users

Subject:
Notification of Change in Flood Levels for Stehekin River at Stehekin

Date:
March 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in Spokane WA has adjusted the flood warning levels for the river forecast point on the Stehekin River at Stehekin, effective April 6, 2026. The flood warning level, or flood stage, is the river level at which a flood warning is issued by the National Weather Service to warn of expected flooding impacts.

The Stehekin River at Stehekin experienced significant flooding during a December 2025 atmospheric river event that has reshaped and rerouted the river through the community of Stehekin. Flood mitigation efforts are planned as a result of the flooding events that took place in December.. The Action Stage of this river is no longer representative of a state at which a “customer or partner needs to take mitigation action for preparedness” as that level has now decreased significantly. Equally as important, the Minor Flood stage at which “minimal or no property damage but some public threat” is no longer representative. Additionally, consideration for adding a Moderate Flood stage is under review.

The following new flood levels for the Stehekin River at Stehekin have been coordinated with the Chelan County Emergency Management, the Chelan County Natural Resource Department, and the Northern Cascade National Park Service, The Northwest River Forecast Center, and the US Army Corps Engineers.

The flood stage and corresponding discharge based on the latest rating curve:

	Current		Proposed
STHW1 Action Stage / Discharge	22 FT	5,060 CFS	19.5 FT	670 CFS
STHW1 Minor Flood Stage / Discharge	24 FT	11,600 CFS	20.5FT	2,150 CFS

If you would like more information about the National Weather Service hydrologic services in the Spokane area, please contact Joel Atwood, Senior Service Hydrologist or Charlotte Dewey, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at 509-244-0100.

Webpage Resources:
National Water Prediction Service page for Stehekin River: https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/STHW1
NWRFC forecast page for Stehekin River: https://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=STHW1