Rivers in Colorado
La Plata River at Hesperus
Below flood stage
3.51ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 5:30 PM MDT
- Flood stage
- 5.50 ft
- Forecast crest
- 3.93 ftThu, Sep 24, 6:00 AM MDT
- Record crest
- 5.84 ft2005
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 7.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 6.20 ft |
| Minor flood | 5.50 ft |
| Action | 5.00 ft |
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | -99900% |
| Major flooding | -99900% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 22, 2026.
Crest history
38 crests on NOAA’s list since 1925.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 21, 2005 | 5.84 ft |
| 2 | October 6, 2006 | 5.42 ft |
| 3 | September 6, 1970 | 5.13 ft |
| 4 | October 14, 2025 | 5.13 ft |
| 5 | May 21, 2008 | 4.83 ft |
| 6 | May 23, 2003 | 4.81 ft |
| 7 | May 10, 2004 | 4.79 ft |
| 8 | May 12, 2009 | 4.79 ft |
| 9 | June 6, 2016 | 4.67 ft |
| 10 | June 6, 2017 | 4.66 ft |
| 11 | June 10, 2015 | 4.65 ft |
| 12 | May 22, 2010 | 4.64 ft |
| 13 | June 28, 1927 | 4.50 ft |
| 14 | September 11, 2013 | 4.38 ft |
| 15 | March 31, 2012 | 4.36 ft |
| 16 | April 22, 2014 | 4.31 ft |
| 17 | October 19, 1972 | 4.31 ft |
| 18 | May 20, 2006 | 4.30 ft |
| 19 | June 15, 1975 | 4.30 ft |
| 20 | May 27, 1979 | 4.30 ft |
| 21 | June 1, 1997 | 4.27 ft |
| 22 | September 11, 2002 | 4.14 ft |
| 23 | June 11, 1980 | 4.13 ft |
| 24 | June 3, 1952 | 4.10 ft |
| 25 | June 3, 2025 | 4.09 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 15, 2026: 4.00 ft
- October 14, 2025: 5.13 ft
- June 3, 2025: 4.09 ft
- May 10, 2018: 3.92 ft
- June 6, 2017: 4.66 ft
- June 6, 2016: 4.67 ft
- June 10, 2015: 4.65 ft
- April 22, 2014: 4.31 ft
- September 11, 2013: 4.38 ft
- March 31, 2012: 4.36 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.