Rio Chama below El Vado Dam
Future / Actual / Minor
OWP 2.0 WWA Modal Title
01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC through 01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC
Sender
Sent
- Upstream gauge unavailableWarning: no valid ratings curve available. Transformations to and from FEET/CFS/KCFS will not happen.
Traces and Thresholds Click to turn on/off display
Observed (OBS) 04/04/2025 1:45 PM MDTRecord: 12 ftLow Threshold: 0 ftCATEGORY STAGE 
Major Flooding 12 ft Moderate Flooding 9 ft Minor Flooding 6.8 ft Action 6.2 ft Reliability of the Forecast:
NOTE: Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 12 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
National Water Model Hydrograph
Official NWS streamflow forecasts are produced by NWS hydrologic forecasters for river gauge locations using hydrologic models which are calibrated to that location. This process considers additional guidance and information, including local expertise and experience, to produce the best forecast possible. The NWM output provides supplemental guidance to NWS forecasters and should not be considered an official NWS river forecast.
Flood Impacts
- 12 - Cooper's El Vado Ranch and the Chama River RV Park and storage are getting flooded. The cabins nearest to the river will have water above the threshold of the doors.
- 9 - Flood waters are beginning to encroach on the Chama River RV Park and Storage campground near Cooper's El Vado Ranch.
- 6.8 - Low lying, mostly wild land along the riverbank begins to flood. Bank stability could be threatened and erosion is possible.
Gauge Info
| Coordinates | 36.5803, -106.725 |
| RFC | WGRFC |
| State | NM |
| WFO | ABQ |
| County | Rio Arriba |
| Data Provider(s) | |
| US Geological Survey | USGS--Water Resources of the United States |
| USGS | 08285500 |
Gauge Location
Recent Crests
| 1. | 6.67 ft | on 05-09-2009 |
| 2. | 5.96 ft | on 05-20-2005 |
| 3. | 6.39 ft | on 05-23-1995 |
| 4. | 5.88 ft | on 05-18-1994 |
| 5. | 7.08 ft | on 05-07-1985 |
Recent Crests
| 1. | 6.67 ft | on 05-09-2009 | |
| 2. | 5.96 ft | on 05-20-2005 | |
| 3. | 6.39 ft | on 05-23-1995 | |
| 4. | 5.88 ft | on 05-18-1994 | |
| 5. | 7.08 ft | on 05-07-1985 | |
| 6. | 6.82 ft | on 05-20-1973 | |
| 7. | 6.89 ft | on 05-17-1941 | |
| 8. | 12.00 ft | on 05-22-1920 | 1 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 12.00 ft | on 05-22-1920 | 1 |
| 2. | 7.08 ft | on 05-07-1985 | |
| 3. | 6.89 ft | on 05-17-1941 | |
| 4. | 6.82 ft | on 05-20-1973 | |
| 5. | 6.67 ft | on 05-09-2009 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 12.00 ft | on 05-22-1920 | 1 |
| 2. | 7.08 ft | on 05-07-1985 | |
| 3. | 6.89 ft | on 05-17-1941 | |
| 4. | 6.82 ft | on 05-20-1973 | |
| 5. | 6.67 ft | on 05-09-2009 | |
| 6. | 6.39 ft | on 05-23-1995 | |
| 7. | 5.96 ft | on 05-20-2005 | |
| 8. | 5.88 ft | on 05-18-1994 |
Low Water Records
Low Water Records
Gauge Photos
No Images Found
Unique Local Info
Gage is 1.5 mile downstream from El Vado Dam.
Collaborative Agencies
The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.