Yakima River to crest above 11 feet this week

The Yakima River is expected to rise to 11 feet near the Tri-Cities early Tuesday morning.

Heavy rain from a series of continuing storms and some snow melt in the Cascade Mountains are filling the river. Monday morning it was at 9 feet and 9 inches deep and rising at the Kiona gauge near Benton City, the closest U.S. Geological Survey gauge to the Tri-Cities.

The water level could drop some through March 10 and 11, but the river is expected to crest again Saturday morning at about 11.4 feet. It will remain high at least until Monday morning, the weather service predicts.

Flood stage is 13 feet, but at 11 feet pastures may flood and extra precautions may be needed close to the river.

Several rainy days are forecast for the Tri-Cities this week. The chance of rain Tuesday will be 30 percent, increasing to 80 percent March 9, according to the weather service.

Rain also is possible later in the week.

This story was originally published March 7, 2016 at 12:32 PM with the headline "Yakima River to crest above 11 feet this week."