Cosumnes River Flood Stage Changes

Public Information Statement

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

Subject: Flood Stage Changes for Cosumnes River at Michigan Bar and McConnell

Date: September 1, 2026

The National Weather Service (NWS) Sacramento office is adjusting the flood stages for the Cosumnes River at Michigan Bar and McConnell effective October 1, 2026 (site IDs: MHBC1 and MCNC1).

River Flood Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service when a forecast point is expected to reach Minor Flood Stage. The current established flood stages for the Cosumnes River at Michigan Bar and McConnell are as follows:

Effective October 1, 2026, the new flood stages are as follows:

These adjusted stages are an improved representation of flood impacts realized at lower stages based on both observations and modeling.

NWS Sacramento, California-Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC), Sacramento County, Reclamation District 800, and California Department of Water Resources (CA DWR) support these changes. The Cosumnes River gauge at Michigan Bar is owned and operated by the US Geological Survey, and the gauge at McConnell by CA DWR. Without this critical data, NWS forecasts and warnings would not be possible.

The NWS welcomes public feedback regarding these service changes. If you have feedback or questions, please email the contact listed below. 

Contact:
Scott Rowe | Senior Service Hydrologist
National Weather Service - Sacramento, CA
scott.rowe@noaa.gov

Webpage Resources:
CNRFC forecast page for Michigan Bar - https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=MHBC1
CNRFC forecast page for McConnell - https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=MCNC1 
NWPS forecast page for Michigan Bar - https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/MHBC1
NWPS forecast page for McConnell - https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/MCNC1 
NWS Sacramento - https://www.weather.gov/sacramento
CNRFC - https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/