Rivers in Colorado
Purgatoire River near Las Animas
Below flood stage
3.10ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 1:15 AM MDT
- Flood stage
- 9.00 ft
- Record crest
- 14.45 ft2021
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 15.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 12.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 9.00 ft |
| Action | 8.00 ft |
- 22.00 ftMajor Flood. Water threatens Highway 101 near the Highway 101 Bridge 2 miles southeast of Las Animas.
- 20.00 ftMajor Flood. Water nears the base of the Highway 101 Bridge 2 miles southeast of Las Animas. Major agricultural flooding.
- 15.00 ftMajor Flood. Major agricultural flooding occurs along the river.
- 12.00 ftModerate Flood. Moderate agricultural flooding occurs in low lying areas along the river.
- 9.00 ftMinor Flood. Minor agricultural flooding occurs into low lying areas along the river.
- 8.00 ftAction Stage. Minor overbank flow occurs into low spots in the main river channel.
- 7.00 ftThe river is bankfull.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 19% |
| Moderate flooding | 8% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 21, 2026.
Crest history
17 crests on NOAA’s list since 1983.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 30, 2021 | 14.45 ft |
| 2 | May 3, 1999 | 12.00 ft |
| 3 | July 22, 2023 | 11.35 ft |
| 4 | August 19, 2004 | 10.52 ft |
| 5 | July 6, 2023 | 10.35 ft |
| 6 | May 22, 2015 | 10.26 ft |
| 7 | August 31, 1996 | 10.21 ft |
| 8 | May 31, 1995 | 10.20 ft |
| 9 | August 12, 1997 | 9.64 ft |
| 10 | June 9, 2014 | 9.57 ft |
| 11 | August 10, 2013 | 9.54 ft |
| 12 | July 9, 1992 | 9.43 ft |
| 13 | April 12, 2012 | 9.40 ft |
| 14 | June 7, 1983 | 9.26 ft |
| 15 | April 7, 2005 | 9.15 ft |
| 16 | August 19, 2008 | 8.97 ft |
| 17 | July 21, 1990 | 8.93 ft |
Most recent crests
- July 22, 2023: 11.35 ft
- July 6, 2023: 10.35 ft
- May 30, 2021: 14.45 ft
- May 22, 2015: 10.26 ft
- June 9, 2014: 9.57 ft
- August 10, 2013: 9.54 ft
- April 12, 2012: 9.40 ft
- August 19, 2008: 8.97 ft
- April 7, 2005: 9.15 ft
- August 19, 2004: 10.52 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.