Wenatchee River at Peshastin
Washington · Paddling & whitewater
Measured at USGS 12459000 — WENATCHEE RIVER AT PESHASTIN, WA · NWS forecast point PESW1
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:15 PM UTC
Too low for most boats — rocky and technical
At 814 CFS, this gauge is running 42% of normal for late July — below the 1,950 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 Peshastin
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge PESW1, issued by WFO OTX. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced verbatim.
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Major flood 15.0 ft
- 15.0 ft Major flooding is likely throughout the valley between Leavenworth and Wenatchee.
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Moderate flood 14.0 ft
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Minor flood 13.0 ft
- 13.0 ft Flooding is likely in low-lying areas, especially in the Cashmere area.
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Action 12.0 ft
- Right now 2.30 ft
NWS forecast: 2.33 ft by Jul 29, 6:00 AM UTC.
12 months of flow at Peshastin
Daily values from USGS gauge 12459000. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Peshastin
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 17.89 ft | 41,300 CFS | Nov 30, 1995 |
| 17.58 ft | 40,000 CFS | Nov 25, 1990 |
| 15.88 ft | 32,300 CFS | May 28, 1948 |
| 15.03 ft | 30,300 CFS | Nov 7, 2006 |
| 14.09 ft | 27,000 CFS | Dec 27, 1980 |
| 13.77 ft | 26,000 CFS | Jun 10, 1972 |
| 13.56 ft | 26,300 CFS | Jun 17, 1974 |
| 13.54 ft | 25,200 CFS | Dec 4, 1975 |
| 13.20 ft | 24,200 CFS | May 21, 1956 |
| 12.98 ft | 23,400 CFS | Jun 13, 1955 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Wenatchee River at Peshastin
This gauge measures Wenatchee River at Peshastin, Washington — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters on this stretch check before committing to a shuttle.
Largest commercial rafting volume in Washington.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 1,950 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.
Wenatchee River at Peshastin — common questions
What is the current flow on Wenatchee River at Peshastin?
As of the last reading on this page, Wenatchee River at Peshastin was running 814 CFS at a gage height of 2.30 ft, or 42% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 12459000, 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 1,950 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 12459000, 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 PESW1.