Columbia River at Nicholson
Water level and flow at gauge 08NA002, British Columbia. The flow is well below normal for October (73% of the median). In the last 24 hours it has been steady.
Latest reading Oct 25, 9 AM local standard time (about an hour ago) · data checked · we check every 30 minutes
Compared with a normal October
Normal for October (middle half of 121 years of monthly averages): 48.4 m³/s1,709 cfs – 65.2 m³/s2,303 cfs, median 55.4 m³/s1,956 cfs. Right now it is at 73% of the median.
July 1, 2002 · approved records 1990–2025 (HYDAT). Right now the flow is 5% of that record.
31% higher than on October 25, 2025 (30.8 m³/s1,088 cfs)
approved daily mean (HYDAT)
Last 30 days
Hourly readings · shaded: normal range for this month
This year compared with past years
Daily flow
Normal range: monthly averages of 107 years (lighter band: 10th–90th percentile). Past years: approved daily means from HYDAT, the Water Survey of Canada archive (the latest year published is 2025). 2026: daily means of the provisional real-time readings collected by Canada River Levels since October 22, 2026.
Weather near this gauge
Periods of light snow ending this morning then a mix of sun and cloud. Wind becoming southeast 20 km/h gusting to 40 near noon. High 7. UV index 1 or low.
Partly cloudy. Fog patches developing overnight. Wind southeast 20 km/h gusting to 40 becoming light this evening. Low minus 3.
A mix of sun and cloud. Fog patches dissipating in the morning. High 7. UV index 1 or low.
Cloudy. Low zero.
Forecast for Golden (6 km away) from Environment and Climate Change Canada, issued . Full official forecast ↗ · we check for new forecasts every 2 hours.
Nearby gauges
| Kicking Horse RiverGolden · 8 km | 3.21 m10.54 ft | Very low |
| Blaeberry RiverAbove Willowbank Creek · 27 km | 0.88 m2.89 ft | Very low |
| Columbia RiverDonald · 32 km | 0.90 m2.95 ft | Very low |
| Beaver RiverAbove Cupola Creek · 48 km | 1.78 m5.84 ft | Very low |
| Spillimacheen RiverSpillimacheen · 52 km | 0.38 m1.26 ft | Very low |
| Bow RiverLake Louise · 54 km | 1.12 m3.66 ft | Very low |
About this gauge
Station: 08NA002 · Columbia River at Nicholson
Location: 51.2436, -116.9129 · British Columbia
Water levels are measured from a local reference point at each gauge, not from sea level, so they cannot be compared between gauges.
Official sources
For flood warnings, advisories and approved data, always use these official services:
Questions
What is the water level of the Columbia River at Nicholson today?
The latest reading (Oct 25, 9 AM, local standard time) is 0.52 m (1.71 ft) with a flow of 40.2 m³/s (1,420 cfs).
Is the Columbia River at Nicholson high right now?
The flow is well below normal for October (73% of the median).
Is the Columbia River rising or falling?
In the last 24 hours it has been steady.
What is the highest flow ever recorded on the Columbia River at Nicholson?
748 m³/s (26,415 cfs) on July 1, 2002, the highest instantaneous flow in the approved records of the Water Survey of Canada (1990–2025). Events after 2025 are not yet in the approved archive.
How does the Columbia River at Nicholson compare with a year ago?
The flow is 31% higher than on October 25, 2025 (30.8 m³/s (1,088 cfs), approved daily mean (HYDAT)).
Where does this data come from?
Gauge 08NA002 of the Water Survey of Canada (Environment and Climate Change Canada). Real-time data are provisional and may be revised. We check for new readings every 30 minutes. Canada River Levels is not an official source.