River stage
Cowlitz River
- River level
- Normal
- Status
- Below flood stage
Latest readings 2026-10-13 | NWS · USGS
- Gauges reporting
- 7 of 7
- Above flood stage
- 0
- Above action stage
- 0
- Overall
- Below flood stage
- Publisher
- NWS · USGS
In brief
On Oct 13, 2026, 7 of 7 gauges on the Cowlitz River reported, and none was above flood stage.
Source: National Weather Service and USGS gauges
Cowlitz River levels, gauge by gauge
The Cowlitz River is measured at 7 gauges. Flood stages are set per gauge, so the same river is "high" at one town and normal at the next.
| Location | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Castle Rock | 33.68 ft | normal, steady |
| Kelso | 9.90 ft | normal, steady |
| Kosmos | — | reports flow only (491.00 cfs) |
| Lexington | 14.53 ft | no flood stage set |
| Mayfield Dam | — | reports flow only (3.66 kcfs) |
| Packwood | 0.84 ft | normal, falling |
| Randle | 3.69 ft | normal, steady |
Recent levels on the Cowlitz River
The gauge with the fullest recent record on this river is Castle Rock, WA, with 122 days of readings.
Other rivers nearby
- Nisqually River 3 gauges
- East Fork Lewis River 1 gauge
- Elk Creek (WA) 1 gauge
- Puyallup River 3 gauges
- Columbia River 19 gauges
- Naselle River 1 gauge
- Satsop River 1 gauge
- Cedar River (WA) 2 gauges
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cowlitz River flooding right now?
No. Every one of the 7 reporting gauges on the Cowlitz River is below flood stage as of 2026-10-13.
How high is the Cowlitz River?
The river is measured at several points and each reads a different height. Castle Rock is at 33.68 ft; Kelso is at 9.90 ft; Kosmos is at —; Packwood is at 0.84 ft.
Where is the Cowlitz River measured?
The National Weather Service and USGS operate 7 gauges on the Cowlitz River in Washington.
What does flood stage mean?
Flood stage is the height at which a river begins to cause problems at that specific location. It is set per gauge, so the same river can be above flood stage in one town and normal a few miles downstream. Action stage is the lower level at which forecasters start watching closely.
River stages and flood categories from the NOAA National Weather Service; daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.