The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) is hosting a hybrid Wilderness First Responder recertification course in Albuquerque, December 5 - 6:
Information/Registration page: Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Recertification - NOLS
Lobatos gauge suddenly rising!
In addition to the Del Norte gauge peaking at 10,900 cfs late yesterday morning, the Conejos River (tributary of the Rio Grande that enters just above the Lobatos gauge, also peaked yesterday at 3,850 cfs. And already, the Lobatos gauge is now reporting 931 cfs and rising!
Del Norte Gauge (Rio Grande), CO: https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools/Stations/RIODELCO?params=DISCHRG
Conejos River Gauge near Mogote, CO: https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools/Stations/CONMOGCO?params=DISCHRG
Lobatos Gauge (Rio Grande), CO: https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools/Stations/RIOLOBCO?params=DISCHRG
Graph of the flows reported by the Lobatos gauge in CO. Current flow is 931 cfs and rising: RIOLOBCO
Rio Chama gauges, above Abiquiu Dam, report big flows
Rio Chama is rising above Abiquiu Reservoir - La Puente gauge exceeded 10,000 cfs.
Mama Chama (La Puente gauge): 9,360 cfs
Wilderness Section (El Vado gauge): 1,900 cfs
Day Section (above Abiquiu Reservoir gauge): 5,950 cfs
Abiquiu Wave (below Abiquiu Dam gauge): 194 cfs
Gauge Pages:
La Puente Gauge: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-08284100/#period=P7D&dataTypeId=continuous-00060-0&showMedian=true&showFieldMeasurements=true
Above Abiquiu Reservoir Gauge: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-08286500/#period=P7D&dataTypeId=continuous-00060-0&showMedian=true&showFieldMeasurements=true
Below Abiquiu Dam Gauge: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-08287000/#period=P7D&dataTypeId=continuous-00060-0&showMedian=true&showFieldMeasurements=true
Graph of Rio Chama reported flows near La Puente, NM. Reported flow exceeded 10,000 cfs: Rio Chama Near LA Puente, NM - USGS Water Data for the Nation
Watchout in southern Colorado: flood waters rising!
Watch out if you are in southwestern/southern Colorado: word of evacuations, roads getting washed out/closed - swiftwater rescue operations underway.
Pecos River (near Pecos, NM) reportedly is rising!
Gauge is now reporting 177 cfs and rising:
Pecos River’s gauge near Pecos, NM is reporting a rise again: currently 177 cfs (Pecos River Near Pecos, NM - USGS Water Data for the Nation).
Rio Grande has reported flow of 10,900 cfs near Del Norte (CO)!
The Del Norte gauge is now reporting a flow of 10,900 cfs and rising!
https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools/Stations/RIODELCO?params=DISCHRG
Graph of reported flow near Del Norte, CO, for the Rio Grande: https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools/Stations/RIODELCO?params=DISCHRG
Flows for 10/22/2026!
Here are flows for 10/22/26! Looks like southwestern/southern CO and the western part of NM is getting tons of water! The Del Norte gauge on the Rio Grande is reporting over 4,800 cfs, and rising! And the La Puente gauge on the Rio Chama (Mama Chama section) has reported flow of 2,360 cfs! The Piedra is also reporting flows (near Arboles) over 4,000 cfs, while the Animas at Durango has a reported flow over 5,700 cfs, and the San Juan has a reported flow over 6,000 cfs in Pagosa Springs, and a reported flow over 12,000 cfs at Farmington. The TJB gauge on the Rio Grande (Orilla Verde, Racecourse) is reporting 238 cfs.
Will the Mama Chama run this weekend?
Will the Mama Chama be "in" this weekend??
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-08284100/#period=P7D&dataTypeId=continuous-00060-0&showMedian=true&showFieldMeasurements=true
Del Norte Gauge is over 3,000 cfs!
Wow: Del Norte is reporting 3,040 cfs!
https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools/Stations/RIODELCO?params=DISCHRG
Stuck in the Kingman Mud on NYE
by Jamie Philips
To close a tumultuous 2025 with restorative time by the river, I decided spontaneously to paddle my beloved Anacostia around 11 am on New Year’s Eve, south from Bladensburg as I usually do. In my last-minute decision to get out there, I paid little mind to the tides – a critical variable for much of the river’s enjoyment. I hadn’t totally decided my destination or paddle duration before launching, figuring Spirit would guide me and I’d turn back around the time I was halfway out of gas or daylight.