Pecos River 3 miles ESE of Malaga

1. 42.00 ftthe river reaches major flood stage, flooding area roads and rangeland. A residence at Pierce Canyon Crossing 2 miles downstream on the east bank may be threatened.
2. 35.00 ftthe river reaches moderate flood stage. Some secondary roads flood. Otherwise, no significant damage is expected.
3. 30.00 ftthe river reaches minor flood stage, and floods low lying areas. Pierce Canyon Crossing 2 miles downstream of the gage is completely inundated.
4. 10.00 ftthis is the estimated stage where Pierce Canyon Crossing 2 miles downstream becomes impassable.

Chance of flooding, October to December

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

Most recent crests

• September 19, 2014: 22.13 ft
• June 24, 1986: 31.41 ft
• August 11, 1984: 23.94 ft
• September 26, 1980: 25.71 ft
• September 26, 1978: 25.39 ft
• October 21, 1969: 24.34 ft
• August 23, 1966: 42.10 ft
• May 31, 1965: 18.55 ft
• October 6, 1954: 28.31 ft
• September 1, 1919: 29.40 ft

• UpstreamPecos River 2 miles E of Carlsbad at Carlsbad below Dark Canyon
• DownstreamPecos River 6 miles ESE of Malaga at Malaga at Pierce Canyon Crossing
• Black River 1 mile NE of Malaga at Malaga
• Black River 5 miles W of Malaga at Malaga
• Pecos River 10 miles S of Malaga at Malaga
• Delaware River (NM) 11 miles NW of Red Bluff at Red Bluff
• Blue Spring 5 miles E of Whites City at Whites City
• Dark Canyon at Carlsbad

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.