Rivers in Colorado
Elk River near Milner
Below flood stage
1.54ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 12:30 AM MDT
- Flood stage
- 7.50 ft
- Forecast crest
- 1.59 ftTue, Sep 22, 2:00 AM MDT
- Record crest
- 10.40 ft1917
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 9.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 8.50 ft |
| Minor flood | 7.50 ft |
| Action | 7.00 ft |
- 12.00 ftMajor flooding is occurring. Water is flowing over the County Road 42 bridge and County Road 42 is impassable. Water has reached the base of the US40 bridge.
- 9.00 ftMajor flooding is occurring. Water is nearing the base of the 42 Road bridge. Backwater flooding is possible where the East and West Forks of the Elk River pass under US40. Severe bank erosion and scouring is significantly altering the river channel.
- 8.30 ftModerate flooding is occurring. Water is nearing the base of the private ranch bridge near County Road 42. Water has reached the foundations of several homes along the Elk River above and below US40.
- 8.00 ftWater is nearing ranch buildings between County Road 44 and the Elk River.
- 7.90 ftBackwater flooding is possible due to debris blocking the East Fork Elk River Culverts under US 40.
- 7.70 ftWater is approaching homes on the southside of US40 near the confluence of the East Fork Elk River and the Yampa River.
- 7.50 ftLower portions of 42 road near the Elk River bridge are starting to flood.
- 7.00 ftLow land flooding is occurring along the reach of the Elk River. Water has reached the foundations of some ranch buildings and homes near the County Road 42 Bridge.
- 6.00 ftThe Elk River has reached bankfull. Some minor low-land flooding is likely.
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
48 crests on NOAA’s list since 1904.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 19, 1917 | 10.40 ft |
| 2 | May 29, 1906 | 10.05 ft |
| 3 | June 5, 1905 | 9.90 ft |
| 4 | May 24, 1904 | 9.75 ft |
| 5 | June 21, 2019 | 8.08 ft |
| 6 | June 8, 2010 | 7.95 ft |
| 7 | May 16, 2023 | 7.78 ft |
| 8 | May 22, 2008 | 7.77 ft |
| 9 | May 30, 2014 | 7.65 ft |
| 10 | May 21, 2009 | 7.39 ft |
| 11 | May 24, 2005 | 7.26 ft |
| 12 | May 23, 2006 | 7.21 ft |
| 13 | June 3, 1997 | 7.18 ft |
| 14 | May 19, 2022 | 7.15 ft |
| 15 | June 6, 2024 | 7.14 ft |
| 16 | June 1, 2003 | 7.04 ft |
| 17 | June 11, 2016 | 7.02 ft |
| 18 | June 11, 2017 | 6.95 ft |
| 19 | June 2, 2020 | 6.84 ft |
| 20 | May 17, 1996 | 6.83 ft |
| 21 | May 30, 2000 | 6.74 ft |
| 22 | June 15, 1995 | 6.67 ft |
| 23 | May 31, 1999 | 6.57 ft |
| 24 | May 21, 1993 | 6.51 ft |
| 25 | May 17, 2013 | 6.36 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 15, 2026: 4.54 ft
- May 13, 2025: 5.49 ft
- June 6, 2024: 7.14 ft
- May 16, 2023: 7.78 ft
- May 19, 2022: 7.15 ft
- May 23, 2021: 5.14 ft
- June 2, 2020: 6.84 ft
- June 21, 2019: 8.08 ft
- May 11, 2018: 5.88 ft
- June 11, 2017: 6.95 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. Gauge reading may be affected by ice. Forecast flows are unadjusted for ice.
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.