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Centennial Streamgages in Washington State

By Washington Water Science Center

In 1887 the USGS began monitoring streamflow in the Yakima River at Kiona, WA. The streamgage is still in operation, providing real-time data to inform decision-making and serve the public. The Kiona gage is one of several centennial streamgages in Washington State, locations where USGS recorded data for at least 100 years.

Streamgages enable hydrologists to record stream water levels and streamflow without needing to constantly make direct measurements. The Nation’s water needs have evolved over the past 100+ years and so has much of the technology used to measure water. USGS streamgage monitoring data continues to benefit communities by providing information about flooding, drought, safety, and engineering design.

Long-term records of streamflow are especially prized.  Longer records contain information that allows scientists to conduct statistical analyses and examine trends through time. Additionally, streamgages record how often a river has flooded in the past and thus provide information about how frequently flooding might occur in the future. Centennial streamgages are designated as locations where the USGS has monitored rivers and streams for 100 years or more.

Centennial Streamgages in Washington State

USGS Site Name and Link to DataSite NumberYear Established
Wynoochee River Above Save Creek Near Aberdeen, WA120360001925
Quinaulat River At Quinault Lake, WA120395001911
Elwha River At Mcdonald Br Near Port Angeles, WA120455001897
Dungeness River Near Sequim, WA120480001923
NF Skokomish R Bl Staircase Rpds Nr Hoodsport, WA120565001914
Nisqually River At La Grande, WA120865001906
Puyallup River Near Electron, WA120920001909
Puyallup River At Puyallup, WA121015001914
Cedar River At Cedar Falls, WA121165001903
Cedar River Near Landsburg, WA121175001895
Skagit River At Newhalem, WA121780001908
Sauk River Ab White Chuck River Nr   Darrington, WA121860001910
Sauk River Near Sauk, WA121895001911
Baker River At Henry Thompson Br At Concrete, WA121934001910
Skagit River Near Concrete, WA121940001924
Colville River At Kettle Falls, WA124090001922
Spokane River At Spokane, WA124225001891
Columbia River At Grand Coulee, WA124365001913
Stehekin River At Stehekin, WA124510001910
Chelan River At Chelan, WA124525001903
Wenatchee River At Plain, WA124570001910
Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam, WA124728001917
Yakima River At Umtanum, WA124845001908
American River Near Nile, WA124885001909
Yakima River At Kiona, WA125105001887
Klickitat River Near Pitt, WA141130001912
White Salmon River Near Underwood, WA141235001912
Lewis River At Ariel, WA142205001909
Cowlitz River At Packwood, WA142265001911

 

Total: 29 centennial gages in Washington 

You may view centennial gage locations in the map widget.

Updated: January 2025

Explore historical photos of streamgaging in Washington State

USGS streamgage on small river in Washington State Historical Gagehouse in Washington State Measuring a flood from cableway Cableway measurement on Columbia River Columbia River Cableway New Columbia River Cableway Streamgage and cableway installation - before/after Weir streamgage Central Washington historical streamgage Water quality sampling from a bridge
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
A glimpse of USGS activities in Washington State in the early years of streamgaging.

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