Dark Canyon at Carlsbad

1. 22.00 ftthe canyon reaches major flood stage, and begins flooding residences and businesses in the vicinity of Canal Street and Dark Canyon Draw in Carlsbad begins. U.S. Highway 285 (Canal Street) is likely to flood, and numerous other city streets will be inundated.
2. 18.00 ftthe canyon reaches moderate flood stage. A few residences and businesses nearest to the bank near the U.S. Highway 285 bridge (Canal Street) in Carlsbad begin to flood.
3. 15.00 ftthe canyon reaches minor flood stage, with banks near capacity near the U.S. Highway 285 bridge in Carlsbad. Water is likely to reach the railroad bridge just downstream from the highway bridge. Water should remain under the highway bridge, but numerous city and outlying roads will flood, primarily upstream. Individuals near the Canal Street bridge should be alert to rising water under the bridge.
4. 9.00 ftthe canyon reaches bankfull, and banks will begin to overflow about 1 mile upstream from the U.S. Highway 285 bridge around San Jose Blvd and Fiesta Drive in Carlsbad. Several secondary roads and a few city streets will likely flood and become impassable.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.

Most recent crests

• June 29, 2021: 19.26 ft
• September 22, 2014: 15.02 ft
• September 22, 2014: 21.62 ft
• September 12, 2013: 17.85 ft
• April 4, 2004: 20.45 ft
• June 24, 1986: 12.53 ft
• August 10, 1984: 10.56 ft
• September 26, 1980: 12.10 ft
• September 25, 1978: 9.82 ft
• October 23, 1974: 10.80 ft

• UpstreamDark Canyon 8 miles N of Whites City at Whites City
• DownstreamPecos River 2 miles E of Carlsbad at Carlsbad below Dark Canyon
• Pecos River at Avalon Reservoir
• 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
• Rocky Arroyo 7 miles S of Lakewood at Lakewood
• Pecos River at Brantley Reservoir

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.

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.