River stage
Arcata, Mad River
- River level
- 5.59 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.09 ft
- Recent high
- 6.03 ft
- Recent low
- 5.62 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS ARCC1
- 30-day change
- -0.13 ft
- Average
- 5.76 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 32.70 ft
In brief
The Mad River at Arcata, CA read 5.59 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 9.41 ft below action stage. That is 0.13 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge ARCC1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 32.70 ft | 1964-12-22 |
| 2 | 28.43 ft | 1955-12-22 |
| 3 | 27.26 ft | 2024-01-13 |
| 4 | 25.46 ft | 1997-01-01 |
| 5 | 25.40 ft | 1972-03-02 |
| 6 | 24.90 ft | 1960-02-08 |
| 7 | 24.76 ft | 2025-12-21 |
| 8 | 24.60 ft | 1957-11-13 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 15.00 ft
Minor flooding begins on the Mad River Beach Road near Tyee City.
- 18.00 ft
Minor flooding of Mad River Beach Road near Tyee City.
- 21.00 ft
Flooding of Mad River Beach Road. Water may be flowing over roads to Tyee City. Flooding will be enhanced if the time of the crest is coincident with high tides and strong onshore winds.
- 22.00 ft
Significant flooding of portions of Mad River Beach Road. Water may flow across roads to Tyee City. Flood impacts will be aggravated by high tides and strong, onshore winds.
- 23.00 ft
Significant flooding of portions of Mad River Beach Road and adjacent farmlands is likely. May cause water to flow across roads to Tyee City. High tides and strong, onshore winds will aggravate flood impacts.
- 24.00 ft
Extensive flooding along Mad River Beach Road and adjacent farmlands. Some homes along the river could be threatened. Flooding of roads to Tyee City. High tides and strong onshore winds will enhance flood impacts.
- 26.00 ft
Severe flooding along Mad River Beach Road and extensive flooding of farmlands and other roads in the area. Flooding of residential areas around Tyee City is likely. Any low lying areas near the river could be flooded. Residents in these areas should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property.
- 28.00 ft
Severe flooding of all low lying areas near the river from Blue Lake downstream to the mouth. Residents in these areas should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property. This includes residential areas of Tyee City and the Arcata Bottoms, US Highway 101 near Janes Road, areas near Giuntoli Lane, and Mad River Beach Road.
- 30.00 ft
Extensive, severe flooding of all low lying areas near the river from Blue Lake downstream to the mouth. Residents in these areas should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property. Critical locations include residential areas of Blue Lake, Tyee City, and the Arcata Bottoms, as well as US Highway 101 near Janes Road and areas near Giuntoli Lane.
- 32.00 ft
Disastrous flooding of all areas near the river from Blue Lake to the mouth. The river is forecast to exceed record levels. All roads in the vicinity of the river are likely to be inundated and travel will be severely restricted. Residents should be prepared to take appropriate action to protect lives and property. This would include homes in Blue Lake, Tyee City and the Arcata Bottoms, as well as US Highway 101 between Arcata and Mckinleyville.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mad River flooding at Arcata?
No. The Mad River at Arcata is at 5.59 ft, 9.41 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Arcata?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 15 ft, minor flooding 22 ft, moderate flooding 24 ft and major flooding 28 ft.
What is the highest the Mad River has been at Arcata?
The highest crest on record is 32.7 ft, on 1964-12-22.
Is the Mad River high or low right now at Arcata?
At 5.59 ft it is higher than 0% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge ARCC1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 11481000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.