Rivers in Colorado

Bear Creek (CO) at Morrison

Jefferson County, ColoradoNWS MRRC2Boulder office

Below flood stage
5.38ftStage

Observed Tue, Sep 22, 6:45 PM MDT

Flood stage
9.00 ft
Record crest
11.50 ft1933

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood10.50 ft
Moderate flood10.00 ft
Minor flood9.00 ft
Action8.00 ft
  1. 20.30 ftThis level represents a flood that has a 0.2-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click <a href="inundation/faq_google.php">here</a>.
  2. 13.70 ftThis level represents a flood that has a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click <a href="inundation/faq_google.php">here</a>.
  3. 11.50 ftThis is a major, life threatening flood with severe damage to roads in Bear Creek Canyon. Stage and flow are near the maximum record flood occurring in 1933. This level represents a flood that has a 2-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click <a href="inundation/faq_google.php">here</a>.
  4. 10.50 ftThis is a major, life threatening flood with extensive inundation of homes and businesses.
  5. 10.00 ftNumerous homes flood in Morrison.
  6. 9.50 ftHomes begin to flood in eastern Morrison
  7. 9.00 ftWater begins to rise over Highway 8 in eastern Morrison between Market Street and Mount Vernon Avenue. The municipal storage garage near Morrison Road is flooded.
  8. 8.60 ftThe creek begins to overflow its banks into yards in eastern Morrison. This level represents a flood that has a 10-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click <a href="inundation/faq_google.php">here</a>.
  9. 8.00 ftWater is up near the sidewalk along the creek near Highway 8 on the eastern edge of Morrison.

Flood outlook

Chance of flooding, September to November

CategoryChance
Minor floodingUnder 5%
Moderate floodingUnder 5%
Major floodingUnder 5%

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 23, 2026.

Crest history

88 crests on NOAA’s list since 1933.

#DateStage
1July 7, 193311.50 ft
2September 2, 193810.60 ft
3August 9, 19349.85 ft
4July 22, 19839.70 ft
5September 13, 20139.05 ft
6June 21, 19418.80 ft
7May 7, 19698.70 ft
8August 10, 19558.50 ft
9April 19, 19428.50 ft
10August 21, 19578.40 ft
11May 6, 19738.30 ft
12June 6, 19498.20 ft
13July 12, 19358.00 ft
14July 25, 19658.00 ft
15May 10, 20157.99 ft
16June 18, 19957.90 ft
17May 25, 19997.90 ft
18May 7, 19987.85 ft
19August 12, 19367.75 ft
20April 30, 19807.75 ft
21July 12, 20077.70 ft
22August 25, 19407.60 ft
23August 5, 19707.60 ft
24August 26, 19847.60 ft
25May 15, 19447.50 ft

Most recent crests

  • May 23, 2021: 7.32 ft
  • May 4, 2020: 6.45 ft
  • June 23, 2019: 6.88 ft
  • May 3, 2018: 6.57 ft
  • July 26, 2017: 6.79 ft
  • May 7, 2016: 7.19 ft
  • May 10, 2015: 7.99 ft
  • May 30, 2014: 7.00 ft
  • September 13, 2013: 9.05 ft
  • July 8, 2012: 6.52 ft

Nearby

Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.

What this means

Forecasts by the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. Gauge reading affected by reservoir operations. Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.

Sources

Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service.