Freshwater DataStream

Station 26B080 Description

The Cowlitz River at Lexington streamflow gage is located in a levee gate vault. This location provides a reliable measurement of water elevation (“stage”) for the Cowlitz River. The levee gate system is a flood control structure that can separate the Cowlitz River and McCorkle Creek. This structure is operated by the Lexington Flood Control District and helps protect local homes and businesses from high flows in the river and creek. At times, the gate vault that houses the measurement equipment may be isolated from the Cowlitz River. When this happens, a banner will be posted to indicate that the stage value may not represent the water elevation in the river. This streamflow gage is located approximately 9.5 miles upstream of the confluence with the Columbia River. The watershed upstream of the gage is roughly 2300 square miles. The river tributaries begin on the slopes of Mount Rainer, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams. The tributaries include the Toutle River, Cispus River, and many smaller streams. The average annual precipitation in the watershed is 77 inches. Approximately 62 percent of the watershed is forested.