Rivers in Colorado
Dolores River near Rico
Below flood stage
1.67ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 12:45 AM MDT
- Flood stage
- 5.80 ft
- Forecast crest
- 1.90 ftFri, Sep 25, 6:00 PM MDT
- Record crest
- 6.15 ft1952
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 9.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 7.30 ft |
| Minor flood | 5.80 ft |
| Action | 5.50 ft |
- 11.00 ftMajor flood destruction of homes and property along the Dolores River. River erosion may cause land slides and river debris may damage bridges.
- 9.50 ftMajor flooding is occurring. Sections of CO 145 are likely washed out.
- 8.50 ftModerate flooding is occurring damaging buildings and property. Portions of CO 145 are impassable due to water.
- 7.30 ftModerate flooding is occurring along the Dolores River between the towns of Rico and Dolores. Water is running over portions of CO 145.
- 7.00 ftThe Dolores River nears sections of CO 145. Water is nearing homes and property. River banks are eroding and very unstable.
- 5.80 ftMinor flooding is occurring along the Dolores River between the towns of Rico and Dolores. River banks are eroding and becoming unstable. Agricultural land near and along the Dolores River is flooding.
- 5.50 ftSome minor flooding of low-lying agricultural land along the Dolores River between Rico and Dolores is likely.
- 5.40 ftRiver reaches bankfull in sections. Water begins to pool in low lying fields and agricultural land near and along the Dolores River.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| 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
74 crests on NOAA’s list since 1952.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 10, 1952 | 6.15 ft |
| 2 | June 5, 1957 | 6.07 ft |
| 3 | May 24, 1984 | 5.95 ft |
| 4 | September 6, 1970 | 5.88 ft |
| 5 | June 17, 1995 | 5.87 ft |
| 6 | June 8, 1985 | 5.80 ft |
| 7 | May 23, 2005 | 5.73 ft |
| 8 | June 11, 1973 | 5.69 ft |
| 9 | May 27, 1958 | 5.60 ft |
| 10 | October 7, 2006 | 5.57 ft |
| 11 | June 10, 1980 | 5.57 ft |
| 12 | June 13, 2019 | 5.51 ft |
| 13 | June 5, 1975 | 5.43 ft |
| 14 | June 6, 1986 | 5.42 ft |
| 15 | June 19, 1983 | 5.40 ft |
| 16 | May 21, 2008 | 5.39 ft |
| 17 | June 13, 1979 | 5.36 ft |
| 18 | May 28, 1953 | 5.30 ft |
| 19 | May 13, 2009 | 5.26 ft |
| 20 | June 16, 1993 | 5.23 ft |
| 21 | June 10, 2015 | 5.20 ft |
| 22 | August 25, 1982 | 5.19 ft |
| 23 | June 6, 2011 | 5.19 ft |
| 24 | June 9, 1987 | 5.18 ft |
| 25 | May 21, 1965 | 5.17 ft |
Most recent crests
- March 26, 2026: 3.18 ft
- October 14, 2025: 4.00 ft
- June 3, 2025: 3.87 ft
- June 4, 2024: 3.97 ft
- May 25, 2023: 4.76 ft
- May 11, 2022: 4.07 ft
- June 4, 2021: 3.46 ft
- May 18, 2020: 3.75 ft
- June 13, 2019: 5.51 ft
- May 10, 2018: 3.31 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.
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.