Rivers in New Mexico
Pecos River 2 miles E of Carlsbad below Dark Canyon
Below flood stage
0.86ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 7:45 AM MDT
- Flood stage
- 14.00 ft
- Record crest
- 22.00 ft1966
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 20.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 17.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 14.00 ft |
| Action | 12.00 ft |
- 20.00 ftthe river reaches major flood stage. Area rangeland, farmland, and a few homes along the west bank are threatened.
- 17.00 ftthe river reaches moderate flood stage, flooding a considerable amount of farmland along the west bank.
- 14.00 ftthe river reaches minor flood stage, and begins flooding area farmland, mainly downstream.
- 12.00 ftthe river reaches bankfull. No significant threats are known at stages between 12 and 14 feet.
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 August 28, 2026.
Crest history
11 crests on NOAA’s list since 1966.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 23, 1966 | 22.00 ft |
| 2 | April 4, 2004 | 20.66 ft |
| 3 | September 22, 2014 | 18.53 ft |
| 4 | June 24, 1986 | 17.35 ft |
| 5 | September 13, 2013 | 15.42 ft |
| 6 | June 29, 2021 | 15.24 ft |
| 7 | August 10, 1984 | 15.22 ft |
| 8 | September 26, 1980 | 14.60 ft |
| 9 | October 23, 1974 | 13.10 ft |
| 10 | September 26, 1978 | 12.28 ft |
| 11 | September 23, 1974 | 11.19 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 29, 2021: 15.24 ft
- September 22, 2014: 18.53 ft
- September 13, 2013: 15.42 ft
- April 4, 2004: 20.66 ft
- June 24, 1986: 17.35 ft
- August 10, 1984: 15.22 ft
- September 26, 1980: 14.60 ft
- September 26, 1978: 12.28 ft
- October 23, 1974: 13.10 ft
- September 23, 1974: 11.19 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamPecos River at Avalon Reservoir
- DownstreamPecos River 3 miles ESE of Malaga at Malaga
- Dark Canyon at Carlsbad
- Pecos River 3 miles NNW of Carlsbad North at Carlsbad North
- Pecos River at Avalon Reservoir Dam
- Pecos River 9 miles NW of Carlsbad at Carlsbad
- Dark Canyon 8 miles N of Whites City at Whites City
- Rocky Arroyo 7 miles S of Lakewood at Lakewood
- Pecos River at Brantley Reservoir
What this means
Forecasts by the West Gulf River Forecast Center. 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 12 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.