Rivers in Colorado
Arkansas River at Lamar
Below flood stage
5.58ftStage
Observed Mon, Sep 21, 10:00 PM MDT
- Flood stage
- 11.00 ft
- Record crest
- 13.06 ft1996
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 15.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 13.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 11.00 ft |
| Action | 9.00 ft |
- 25.00 ftMajor flooding occurs in Lamar. Multiple homes and businesses are impacted. Water reaches the base of the Highway 287 Bridge.
- 19.00 ftFlood waters inundate the industrial park on the north side of Lamar. Multiple businesses are impacted. Flood waters threaten The Days Inn, The Cow Palace, Ranchers Supply Company and Opals Pub. Gravel and paving operations and North Gateway Park near the Highway 287 Bridge are inundated.
- 18.00 ftFlood waters threaten the All Rite Paving and Redi Mix operation on the northwest side of the Highway 287 Bridge.
- 17.00 ftFlood waters reach the parking areas near the Ace Tire operation on the northeast side of the Highway 287 Bridge.
- 15.00 ftMajor agricultural flooding occurs. Lowlands are completely inundated. Waters begin to threaten North Gateway Park southeast of the Highway 50 bridge.
- 13.00 ftModerate lowland agricultural flooding occurs near Lamar.
- 11.00 ftMinor lowland agricultural flooding occurs near Lamar.
- 10.00 ftThe river is bankfull. Minor overbank flow into lowlands along the river occurs near Lamar. Water flows into low lying meadows near County Road 13.
- 9.00 ftMinor overbank flow into low spots along the river occurs near Lamar.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 6% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 21, 2026.
Crest history
15 crests on NOAA’s list since 1987.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 27, 1996 | 13.06 ft |
| 2 | August 12, 1997 | 12.79 ft |
| 3 | July 31, 1998 | 12.47 ft |
| 4 | July 30, 2014 | 11.41 ft |
| 5 | July 22, 2023 | 11.13 ft |
| 6 | June 7, 1999 | 11.11 ft |
| 7 | June 4, 1995 | 11.09 ft |
| 8 | July 26, 2018 | 11.01 ft |
| 9 | July 27, 2009 | 11.01 ft |
| 10 | May 25, 1987 | 10.74 ft |
| 11 | June 8, 2001 | 10.63 ft |
| 12 | August 14, 1994 | 10.02 ft |
| 13 | August 29, 2002 | 9.29 ft |
| 14 | July 21, 1992 | 8.95 ft |
| 15 | September 15, 1988 | 8.82 ft |
Most recent crests
- July 22, 2023: 11.13 ft
- July 26, 2018: 11.01 ft
- July 30, 2014: 11.41 ft
- July 27, 2009: 11.01 ft
- August 29, 2002: 9.29 ft
- June 8, 2001: 10.63 ft
- June 7, 1999: 11.11 ft
- July 31, 1998: 12.47 ft
- August 12, 1997: 12.79 ft
- May 27, 1996: 13.06 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Arkansas-Red Basin RFC. 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.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.