Elwha River at McDonald Bridge, near Port Angeles, WA

Olympic Peninsula · USGS gauge 12045500 · Updated Oct 24, 3:19 AM PDT · USGS data, provisional

Too low196 cfs● steady (+0% in 24 h)

Reading time: Oct 24, 3:00 AM PDT · Provisional data

Flow is far below normal for the date. Expect shallow riffles and slower water; some stretches may be hard to float and fish can be stressed by low flows. Check local reports for the specific stretch.

Vs. normal for this date
1st percentile
Typical range (25th–75th)
462–1,310 cfs
Median for this date
762 cfs
7-day low / high
188 / 238 cfs

Plain-language explanation

Elwha River at McDonald Bridge, near Port Angeles is flowing at 196 cubic feet per second (cfs) as of Oct 24, 3:00 AM PDT. That is among the lowest flows on record for this time of year: lower than about 99% of the daily flows this gauge has recorded for this date (give or take 7 days) over 114 years of record (1897–2026).

The middle half of those historical flows runs from 462 to 1,310 cfs, with a median of 762 cfs; the lowest 10% of days are at or below 329 cfs and the highest 10% at or above 2,308 cfs.

Over the last 24 hours the flow has been steady (+0.0%). In the last 7 days it ranged from 188 to 238 cfs.

Why this status: Flow is at or below the seasonal 10th percentile and in the lower 40% of all days on record.

7-day trend

180197213229246Sun 10/18Mon 10/19Tue 10/20Wed 10/21Thu 10/22Fri 10/23Sat 10/24

Hourly flow in cfs, Pacific time. The shaded band is the typical range (25th–75th percentile) for this date, shown when it falls within the chart.

Day (Pacific)Mean cfsPercentileStatus that day
Sun Oct 182132ndToo low
Mon Oct 192062ndToo low
Tue Oct 202021stToo low
Wed Oct 211991stToo low
Thu Oct 221971stToo low
Fri Oct 23196<1stToo low
Sat Oct 24 (so far)1961stToo low

Seasonal context

1002005001,0002,0005,00010,000JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Shaded band: 10th–90th percentile of daily flows through the year; dashed line: median. Log scale. Dot: today's flow. Based on 114 years of USGS daily data (1897–2026).

Placeholder · Sponsor placementThis slot is empty. Reserved for a clearly labelled sponsor.
Placeholder · Guide / shop listingThis slot is empty. Reserved for a local guide, outfitter or fly shop listing.

About this gauge

USGS site
USGS-12045500
USGS name
Elwha River At Mcdonald Br Near Port Angeles, Wa
Drainage area
269 sq mi
Location
48.0548, -123.5832
Record in this analysis
1897–2026

Typical uses

steelheadsalmon

Notes: Dams were removed in 2011-2014; the river is still adjusting. (Hand-written general note, not from USGS data.)

Data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Readings are provisional and subject to revision. Flowcast statuses are automated comparisons with each gauge's own history, not safety ratings or fishing reports. Check local conditions, weather, regulations and closures before you go. Rivers can change quickly.

More Olympic Peninsula rivers

Hoh River at US Highway 101, near Forks