Rivers in Colorado
Cache La Poudre River (CO) above Fort Collins
Below flood stage
2.71ftStage
Observed Mon, Sep 28, 1:45 AM MDT
- Flood stage
- 7.50 ft
- Record crest
- 10.29 ft2013
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 10.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 9.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 7.50 ft |
| Action | 6.50 ft |
- 11.00 ftThis is a major-life threatening flood with numerous streets and highways damaged and homes and businesses inundated.
- 10.40 ftBuildings flood in and near the town of Laporte. Numerous bridges...streets and highways along the river in Laporte and Fort Collins are impacted by flooding. This level represents a flood that has a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click <a href="inundation/faq_google.php">here</a>.
- 10.00 ftNumerous bridges crossing the river in Laporte and Fort Collins may be inaccessible as river levels rise to the base of the bridges. Water approaches several neighborhoods and North College Avenue from Vine to Conifer Streets on the north side of Fort Collins.
- 9.50 ftLaporte school buildings near the river flood. Highway 14 may be inaccessible in Poudre Canyon.
- 9.00 ftRoads along the river in Poudre Canyon begin to flood. River water begins to impact buildings in Laporte.
- 8.50 ftThe river rises near the base of the bridge at College Avenue in Fort Collins.
- 7.80 ftThis level represents a flood that has a 10-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click <a href="inundation/faq_google.php">here</a>.
- 7.50 ftConsiderable overbank flow and localized flooding occurs downstream in and near Laporte and Fort Collins.
- 7.00 ftThe river may overflow onto low lying property including farmland near Harmony Road.
- 6.50 ftThe river flows over the Poudre River Trail and bike path in low spots.
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, 2026.
Crest history
68 crests on NOAA’s list since 1954.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 13, 2013 | 10.29 ft |
| 2 | May 31, 2014 | 8.08 ft |
| 3 | August 1, 1976 | 7.86 ft |
| 4 | June 21, 1983 | 7.72 ft |
| 5 | April 30, 1999 | 7.56 ft |
| 6 | June 18, 1995 | 7.03 ft |
| 7 | June 12, 2015 | 6.95 ft |
| 8 | June 12, 2010 | 6.94 ft |
| 9 | June 12, 2016 | 6.80 ft |
| 10 | July 1, 2011 | 6.72 ft |
| 11 | June 11, 2017 | 6.57 ft |
| 12 | June 2, 1991 | 6.52 ft |
| 13 | June 11, 1965 | 6.42 ft |
| 14 | May 25, 1984 | 6.27 ft |
| 15 | June 7, 1986 | 6.25 ft |
| 16 | June 1, 2020 | 6.16 ft |
| 17 | June 30, 1957 | 6.10 ft |
| 18 | May 23, 2021 | 6.07 ft |
| 19 | July 9, 1997 | 6.03 ft |
| 20 | June 9, 1985 | 6.00 ft |
| 21 | July 1, 2019 | 5.92 ft |
| 22 | June 1, 2003 | 5.86 ft |
| 23 | June 17, 1971 | 5.84 ft |
| 24 | June 16, 1978 | 5.78 ft |
| 25 | June 14, 1973 | 5.78 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 23, 2021: 6.07 ft
- June 1, 2020: 6.16 ft
- July 1, 2019: 5.92 ft
- May 27, 2018: 5.53 ft
- June 11, 2017: 6.57 ft
- June 12, 2016: 6.80 ft
- June 12, 2015: 6.95 ft
- May 31, 2014: 8.08 ft
- September 13, 2013: 10.29 ft
- June 6, 2012: 3.90 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamNorth Fork Cache La Poudre River at Seaman Reservoir
- DownstreamCache La Poudre River (CO) at Fort Collins
- Dry Creek (CO) at Fort Collins
- Spring Creek (CO) at Fort Collins
- Spring Creek (CO) at Fort Collins
- Fossil Creek (CO) at Fort Collins
- Fossil Creek (CO) at Fort Collins
- North Fork Cache La Poudre River at Halligan Reservoir
What this means
Forecasts by the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service.