Rivers in Colorado
Arkansas River at Cañon City
Below flood stage
5.15ftStage
Observed Thu, Sep 24, 9:15 AM MDT
- Flood stage
- 10.00 ft
- Record crest
- 10.90 ft1995
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 14.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 12.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 10.00 ft |
| Action | 9.00 ft |
- 23.00 ftFlood waters roll over top of 1st Street Bridge
- 18.50 ftFlood waters reach base of 1st Street Bridge and inundate nearby homes and businesses
- 18.00 ftFlood waters inundate numerous homes and power plant in western Canon City
- 16.00 ftWater reaches base of 9th Street Bridge and flows into nearby oil distribution complex
- 15.50 ftWater rises into Royal Gorge Train Depot parking lot
- 15.00 ftFlood waters inundate homes and businesses near 4th Street Bridge
- 14.50 ftWater overtops levee along Riverside Drive flooding nearby homes and businesses
- 14.00 ftMajor Flood. Basements flood in homes near 9th Street Bridge
- 13.50 ftWater spills into Centennial Park near 4th Street Bridge
- 12.00 ftModerate Flood. Serious lowland and meadow flooding occurs
- 10.00 ftMinor flood. Minor overbank flow occurs into low lying areas along river. Water overtops screens at Canon City water supply intake
- 8.00 ftThe river is bankfull
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 23, 2024.
Crest history
20 crests on NOAA’s list since 1965.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 18, 1995 | 10.90 ft |
| 2 | June 18, 2019 | 10.56 ft |
| 3 | June 21, 2015 | 10.42 ft |
| 4 | June 27, 1983 | 10.08 ft |
| 5 | June 12, 1980 | 10.05 ft |
| 6 | June 10, 2024 | 10.02 ft |
| 7 | June 7, 2010 | 9.80 ft |
| 8 | June 21, 1997 | 9.78 ft |
| 9 | June 14, 1996 | 9.52 ft |
| 10 | May 26, 1984 | 9.48 ft |
| 11 | June 10, 1987 | 9.40 ft |
| 12 | June 20, 2008 | 9.39 ft |
| 13 | June 20, 2017 | 9.27 ft |
| 14 | June 2, 1994 | 9.20 ft |
| 15 | June 25, 1999 | 9.07 ft |
| 16 | July 2, 2011 | 9.00 ft |
| 17 | May 31, 2003 | 8.99 ft |
| 18 | July 8, 1998 | 8.95 ft |
| 19 | June 11, 1990 | 8.47 ft |
| 20 | July 24, 1965 | 8.28 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 10, 2024: 10.02 ft
- June 18, 2019: 10.56 ft
- June 20, 2017: 9.27 ft
- June 21, 2015: 10.42 ft
- July 2, 2011: 9.00 ft
- June 7, 2010: 9.80 ft
- June 20, 2008: 9.39 ft
- May 31, 2003: 8.99 ft
- June 25, 1999: 9.07 ft
- July 8, 1998: 8.95 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.