Rivers in New Mexico

Cimarron River (NM) at Springer

Colfax County, New MexicoNWS SPGN5USGS 07211000Albuquerque office

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood20.00 ft
Moderate flood18.00 ft
Minor flood14.00 ft
Action10.00 ft
  1. 20.00 ftMajor flooding is occurring along the Cimarron River in the Springer area. The state highway 21 bridge in Springer is under water and should be considered impassable. Homes and businesses along the river are being inundated, especially in the area from south of Colbert Avenue between Second and Fourth streets in Springer.
  2. 18.00 ftSignificant flooding is occurring along the Cimarron River in the Springer area. Flood waters have overtopped or could soon overtop the state highway 21 bridge in Springer. Homes and businesses along the river are being flooded, especially in the area south of Colbert Avenue between Second and Fourth streets.
  3. 14.00 ftThe Cimarron River is overtopping its natural banks with adjacent pasture and farm land being flooded. Water is approaching the bottom of the state highway 21 bridge in Springer. Further river rises could result in debris against the bridge allowing water to flow over the bridge road surface or the approaches to the bridge.

Flood outlook

Chance of flooding, October to December

CategoryChance
Minor floodingUnder 5%
Moderate floodingUnder 5%
Major floodingUnder 5%

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

Crest history

10 crests on NOAA’s list since 1904.

#DateStage
1September 29, 190422.04 ft
2June 18, 196519.96 ft
3June 6, 195810.55 ft
4April 23, 194210.11 ft
5April 30, 19999.26 ft
6July 28, 19719.20 ft
7May 20, 19798.35 ft
8August 12, 19907.92 ft
9May 30, 19957.28 ft
10June 3, 19377.28 ft

Most recent crests

  • April 30, 1999: 9.26 ft
  • May 30, 1995: 7.28 ft
  • August 12, 1990: 7.92 ft
  • May 20, 1979: 8.35 ft
  • July 28, 1971: 9.20 ft
  • June 18, 1965: 19.96 ft
  • June 6, 1958: 10.55 ft
  • April 23, 1942: 10.11 ft
  • June 3, 1937: 7.28 ft
  • September 29, 1904: 22.04 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. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 18 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.