Purgatoire River at Madrid
Observed Thu, Sep 24, 1:45 PM MDT
- Flood stage
- 7.00 ft
- Record crest
- 12.80 ft1976
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 11.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 9.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 7.00 ft |
| Action | 6.00 ft |
- 26.50 ftFlood waters rise into low spots along Highway 12 between Madrid and Cokedale.
- 17.50 ftFlood waters reach the base of the County Road 18.3 Bridge.
- 15.00 ftFlood waters rise over County Road 18.3 near the bridge.
- 9.00 ftWater begins to inundate farm properties and dwellings near Madrid.
- 8.50 ftWater reaches fence line in agricultural lands near County Road 18.3 Bridge.
- 7.00 ftMinor agricultural flooding occurs. Water overtops the tallest banks along the river channel.
- 5.00 ftThe river is bankfull. Water spills over the lowest banks near the County Road 18.3 Bridge.
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 24, 2026.
Crest history
16 crests on NOAA’s list since 1975.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 20, 1976 | 12.80 ft |
| 2 | August 10, 1981 | 10.94 ft |
| 3 | July 10, 1978 | 9.00 ft |
| 4 | August 14, 1979 | 8.36 ft |
| 5 | July 12, 1975 | 8.00 ft |
| 6 | July 31, 1992 | 7.51 ft |
| 7 | July 17, 1993 | 7.37 ft |
| 8 | August 29, 2008 | 7.17 ft |
| 9 | May 9, 2017 | 7.13 ft |
| 10 | August 5, 2004 | 7.12 ft |
| 11 | August 5, 1997 | 6.91 ft |
| 12 | May 8, 2013 | 6.82 ft |
| 13 | August 13, 2015 | 6.82 ft |
| 14 | August 26, 2014 | 6.71 ft |
| 15 | September 3, 2003 | 6.61 ft |
| 16 | July 25, 2009 | 6.47 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 9, 2017: 7.13 ft
- August 13, 2015: 6.82 ft
- August 26, 2014: 6.71 ft
- May 8, 2013: 6.82 ft
- July 25, 2009: 6.47 ft
- August 29, 2008: 7.17 ft
- August 5, 2004: 7.12 ft
- September 3, 2003: 6.61 ft
- August 5, 1997: 6.91 ft
- July 17, 1993: 7.37 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. Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.
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.