John Day River expected to reach flood stage at Service Creek

By on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

GRANT / WHEELER COUNTY – A Hydrologic Outlook has been issued for our region from the National Weather Service. Rises are expected on river and streams—especially this Thursday into the weekend. The agency reports that temperatures in the 60s and 70s will increase snow melt of the mid and high elevation snowpack. This will be followed by mountain rain Wednesday night through Friday.

The primary concern is the John Day River at Service Creek, which is forecast to reach minor flood stage Thursday morning through Friday afternoon.

Find the full NWS outlook below:

(Hydrologic Outlook from the National Weather Service)

Hydrologic Outlook

ORZ049-050-502-503-505>509-WAZ029-030-521>523-272000-

Hydrologic Outlook

National Weather Service Pendleton OR

207 PM PDT Mon Mar 24 2025

…RISES EXPECTED ON RIVERS AND STREAMS THURSDAY INTO THIS WEEKEND…

Temperatures in the 60s and 70s through Wednesday will increase snow

melt of the mid and high elevation snow pack. This will be followed

by mountain rain Wednesday night through Friday. Saturated mountain

soils will allow for efficient runoff and will increase water levels

on mountain rivers, creeks and streams.

The primary concern is the John Day River at Service Creek which is

forecast to reach minor flood stage Thursday morning through Friday

afternoon, peaking early Friday morning. The Grande Ronde River at

Troy and the Naches River at Cliffdell and Naches are expected to

reach action stage Wednesday afternoon through at least Friday

morning but have a low probability of reaching minor flood stage.

Several other rivers are forecast to approach but not quite reach

action stage. Smaller creeks and streams may also have significant

rises but at this time they do not appear to reach levels that would

cause flooding.

People with activities near creeks and streams should exercise

caution as flows will be swift and very cold water can quickly lead

to hypothermia if someone were to fall into the water.

Those with interests along rivers, creeks and streams should

continue to monitor forecasts as there is some uncertainty in the

expected water levels. Stay tuned to for the latest forecast updates

along with any flood warnings or advisories that may be issued.