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River Conditions

Weather info, water temperature, river levels and more

The Columbia River provides year-round recreational opportunities. River conditions vary by season and can change without notice. This page provides data about the current conditions near Priest Rapids and Wanapum Dams. 

Weather Info

Priest Rapids DamWanapum Dam
TimeStamp04 / 16 / 2024 16:45:0104 / 16 / 2024 16:45:01
Headwater Elevation482.8568.7
Tailwater Elevation405.7485.7
Current Air Temperature5453
High Temp. Today5656
Low Temp. Today4545
High Temp. Yesterday6664
Low Temp. Yesterday5148
Current Wind Speed1947
Wind DirectionWNWNW
Today's High Wind Gust3268
Yesterday's High Wind Gust3871
Current Water Temperature4748

Flow Volumes & Water Quality

Hourly Columbia River flows and water-quality data, measured at both Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams.

Boat Launch Water Levels

A number of our recreation areas have public access boat launches. Below is the current water level at each launch. River level data updates every hour. Remember to be safe while on the water and beware that river levels can change suddenly without warning. For more information about our recreation areas visit grantpud.org/visit-us.

Apricot Orchard

Apricot Orchard Water Level

Frenchman Coulee

Vantage Boat Launch

Buckshot

Huntzinger Boat Launch

Wanapum Lower

Crescent Bar

Priest Rapids Rec. Area Boat Launch

Wanapum Upper

Fish Counts

We provide accurate counts of adult fish that migrate past Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams. Video cameras record passage 24-7 during migration season from April 15 to Nov. 15. These counts help us manage the river environment to ensure salmon and other migratory fish survive and thrive.
These are the folks who do our fish counts every year from April through November. They can identify most any fish in the river from the shape of its head, body and tail. The counters used to count in real time, 24-7, through viewing windows in a small rooms called "count houses." Today, the runs are video recorded at each dam, and the counters work off the videos. From left, Vicki Solheim, Arline Harvold-Terry, Carol Frady, Supervisor Dave Duvall, John Smoots, Debbra Long, Denise Wisdom and Val Parker.

More about recreation.

Recreation
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