Yakima River rising fast at Tri-Cities. Flooding has begun in low-lying areas

The Yakima River was running high and fast in the Tri-Cities Friday afternoon, with water already starting to flood at the West Richland Golf Course.

Rain and snow melt from streams in the East Cascade Mountains are filling the river.

The Yakima River was within an inch of the “action” level of 11 feet at the Kiona Gauge, just upriver from the Tri-Cities, Friday afternoon, which was sooner than expected.

The National Weather Service expected the river to rise to 13 feet, or minor flooding stage, Saturday night and crest at 13.9 feet Sunday night. Moderate flooding stage starts at 14.5 feet.

Precautions were recommended as the river hit the action level of 11 feet.

Residents near the river at Benton City and West Richland should secure any belongings near the water and consider moving animals out of low-lying pastures when the river reaches the action stage. People should use caution along its banks.

Early Friday afternoon the walking path under the Van Giesen Street bridge in West Richland was flooded and had been closed. Although flooding had started at the Richland Golf Course, the west end remained above water early Friday afternoon.

Benton Fire District 2 is coordinating with Benton City and Benton County Emergency Services to prepare for flooding issues, said Assistant Chief Todd Dormaier.

The boat launch on the Yakima River near the First Street bridge was expected to be closed later Friday, he said.

As the water rises, some roads may close in low-lying areas. Residents are urged to turn around if water covers the roadway.

The Yakima River is forecast to recede to below the action level by midmorning Wednesday.

This is the second time the Yakima River is expected to flood in the Tri-Cities area in recent months, but the river should not be as high as it was in mid December.

Then the river reached 16 feet deep at the Kiona gauge near Benton City, which is the major flood stage.

The Yakima River had not been that high near the Tri-Cities since the February 1996 flood, when the river reached nearly 21 feet at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Kiona gauge, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.

Last weekend rivers and streams in Columbia and Walla Walla counties flooded.

Ski Bluewood closed due to heavy flooding in Dayton and along Highway 12 Saturday, and then additional damage was found on the road to access the mountain.

The road was repaired just in time to reopen on Friday, March 20. The ski area plans to be open March 20-22 and March 27-29 and then end the season.

Scott Hunt contributed to this report.

This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 4:32 PM.