Skykomish River at Gold Bar
Washington · Paddling & whitewater
Measured at USGS 12134500 — SKYKOMISH RIVER NEAR GOLD BAR, WA · NWS forecast point GLBW1
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:30 PM UTC
Too low for most boats — rocky and technical
At 551 CFS, this gauge is running 38% of normal for late July — below the 1,450 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 97 years of record (1929–2026).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Gold Bar
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge GLBW1, issued by WFO SEW. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced verbatim.
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Major flood 19.0 ft
- 19.0 ft the Skykomish River will cause major flooding from near Index downstream through Sultan to the Snoqualmie. Flood waters will inundate portions of downtown Sultan...most roads and the Tualco Valley area near Monroe. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Skykomish River Basin. A stage of 19 feet on the Skykomish River corresponds to a Phase 4 in the Snohomish County flood program.
- 21.0 ft the Skykomish River will cause major flooding from near Index downstream through Sultan to the Snoqualmie River confluence. Deep and swift flood waters will inundate roads...residential areas...and farm land. Extensive bank erosion is likely. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Skykomish River Basin. A stage of 21 feet on the Skykomish River corresponds to a Phase 4 in the Snohomish County flood program.
- 22.0 ft the Skykomish River will cause severe...near record flooding from Index downstream to Monroe. The river will flood many homes...cover much of the farmland...close most roads and overtop most dikes. Flooding will occur all along the river including headwaters...tributaries...and other streams within and near the Skykomish River Basin. A stage of 22 feet on the Skykomish River corresponds to a Phase 4 in the Snohomish County flood program.
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Moderate flood 17.0 ft
- 17.0 ft the Skykomish River will cause flooding from near Index downstream through Sultan to the Snoqualmie. Flood waters will cover numerous roads...including Ben Howard Rd...Index-Galena Rd and Tualco Loop Rd. Flooding in the town of Sultan will begin. A stage of 17 feet on the Skykomish River corresponds to a Phase 3 in the Snohomish County flood program.
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Minor flood 15.0 ft
- 15.0 ft the Skykomish River will cause minor flooding of low pasture lands and low lying roads...including Index-Galena Rd and Tualco Loop Rd. A stage of 15 feet on the Skykomish River corresponds to a Phase 2 in the Snohomish County flood program.
- 16.0 ft the Skykomish River will cause minor flooding of low pasture lands and some roads along the river...including Ben Howard road...Index-Galena Rd and Tualco Loop Rd. A stage of 16 feet on the Skykomish River corresponds to a Phase 3 in the Snohomish County flood program.
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Action 12.2 ft
- Right now 4.56 ft
NWS forecast: 4.56 ft by Jul 29, 6:00 AM UTC.
12 months of flow at Gold Bar
Daily values from USGS gauge 12134500. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Gold Bar
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 24.51 ft | 129,000 CFS | Nov 6, 2006 |
| 24.03 ft | 114,215 CFS | Dec 11, 2025 |
| 22.49 ft | 102,000 CFS | Nov 24, 1990 |
| 22.23 ft | 101,838 CFS | Nov 17, 2015 |
| 21.34 ft | 90,100 CFS | Dec 26, 1980 |
| 21.28 ft | 88,700 CFS | Dec 21, 1933 |
| 21.01 ft | 86,800 CFS | Nov 10, 1990 |
| 20.73 ft | 86,500 CFS | Oct 20, 2003 |
| 20.70 ft | 83,300 CFS | Feb 26, 1932 |
| 20.32 ft | 73,503 CFS | Dec 9, 2025 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Skykomish River at Gold Bar
This gauge measures Skykomish River at Gold Bar, Washington — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters on this stretch check before committing to a shuttle.
Boulder Drop; Washington's flagship Class IV day trip.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 1,450 CFS for late July, from 97 years of record.
Because the National Weather Service also operates a forecast point here, the page carries the official flood-category ladder and the NWS's own stage-by-stage impact statements.
Skykomish River at Gold Bar — common questions
What is the current flow on Skykomish River at Gold Bar?
As of the last reading on this page, Skykomish River at Gold Bar was running 551 CFS at a gage height of 4.56 ft, or 38% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 12134500, which reports every 15 to 60 minutes.
Is that high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for late July at this gauge is 1,450 CFS, calculated from 97 years of record (1929–2026). Comparing today's reading against that median is the only way a raw CFS number tells you anything — 200 CFS is a drought on one river and a flood on another.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from this gauge every 15 to 60 minutes. This page bakes in the most recent reading when it is rebuilt, then refreshes live from USGS when you open it. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by USGS.
What is a runnable level on this stretch?
riverlvl deliberately does not publish a runnable range. American Whitewater and the local paddling community maintain the correlations for this reach, and they are the authority. This page gives you the raw inputs — current CFS, gage height, the seasonal median, and the 12-month hydrograph — so you can apply whatever range you trust.
How fast can this gauge come up?
This is a free-flowing gauge, so it rises with rain in the basin. The 12-month chart on this page shows the shape of the past year's rises, which is the best available guide to how flashy this particular reach is.
Where does this data come from?
The flow and gage height come from USGS gauge 12134500, public-domain data from the U.S. Geological Survey. The flood categories, impact statements and forecast come from the National Weather Service's National Water Prediction Service, gauge GLBW1.