Rio Chama near Chamita
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 2:00 PM MDT
- Flood stage
- 6.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 4.60 ftWed, Sep 23, 6:00 AM MDT
- Record crest
- 11.68 ft1994
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 11.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 8.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 6.00 ft |
| Action | 5.50 ft |
- 11.50 ftWater getting dangerously close to bottom of bridges on highway 285 and state route 74. Debris in river may get caught on bridge supports and send water over the roadway. Significant flooding to properties along the Rio Chama and Rio Ojo Caliente is occurring and private roads along the river are impassable.
- 8.00 ftProperties along the Rio Chama and southern reach of the Rio Ojo Caliente are flooded. Private roadways within several hundred yards of the river are impassable.
- 6.00 ftProperties in the flood plain along the Rio Chama and near the junction of the Rio Ojo Caliente will see water in their yards. Impacts can include bank erosion and damage to wells and septic tanks. These impacts will increase in severity at higher river levels.
- 5.50 ftBankfull stage. Properties immediately adjacent to the river upstream of the bridge on SR-74 and especially near the junction with the Rio Ojo Caliente may see water encroach onto low lying areas.
Crest history
16 crests on NOAA’s list since 1920.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 14, 1994 | 11.68 ft |
| 2 | May 22, 1920 | 10.45 ft |
| 3 | August 12, 1929 | 9.65 ft |
| 4 | August 29, 1969 | 9.56 ft |
| 5 | May 14, 1941 | 9.50 ft |
| 6 | September 18, 2013 | 9.14 ft |
| 7 | April 23, 1942 | 8.80 ft |
| 8 | August 9, 1967 | 7.95 ft |
| 9 | September 29, 1998 | 7.29 ft |
| 10 | June 18, 1984 | 7.29 ft |
| 11 | June 13, 1991 | 6.89 ft |
| 12 | May 11, 2005 | 6.86 ft |
| 13 | May 22, 1995 | 6.74 ft |
| 14 | July 21, 2009 | 6.66 ft |
| 15 | July 29, 2000 | 6.59 ft |
| 16 | April 25, 2008 | 6.33 ft |
Most recent crests
- September 18, 2013: 9.14 ft
- July 21, 2009: 6.66 ft
- April 25, 2008: 6.33 ft
- May 11, 2005: 6.86 ft
- July 29, 2000: 6.59 ft
- September 29, 1998: 7.29 ft
- May 22, 1995: 6.74 ft
- August 14, 1994: 11.68 ft
- June 13, 1991: 6.89 ft
- June 18, 1984: 7.29 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
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 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 12 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.