RIVER GAUGE · PURGATOIRE RIVER
Purgatoire River at Madrid
Las Animas County, Colorado
Water level2.57 ft
Flow5 cfs
Last readingSep 16, 2026, 4:45 PM UTC (last recorded)
Action6 ft
Minor flood7 ft
Moderate flood9 ft
Major flood11 ft
The past week
Loading chart…
What floods at each level
- 26.5 ft
Flood waters rise into low spots along Highway 12 between Madrid and Cokedale.
- 17.5 ft
Flood waters reach the base of the County Road 18.3 Bridge.
- 15 ft
Flood waters rise over County Road 18.3 near the bridge.
- 9 ft
Water begins to inundate farm properties and dwellings near Madrid.
- 8.5 ft
Water reaches fence line in agricultural lands near County Road 18.3 Bridge.
- 7 ft
Minor agricultural flooding occurs. Water overtops the tallest banks along the river channel.
- 5 ft
The river is bankfull. Water spills over the lowest banks near the County Road 18.3 Bridge.
Highest crests on record
| Date | Level | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 19, 1976 | 12.8 ft | 14,300 cfs |
| Aug 9, 1981 | 10.94 ft | 11,600 cfs |
| Jul 9, 1978 | 9 ft | 7,100 cfs |
More on Purgatoire River
DownstreamPurgatoire River below Trinidad Lake
Get an alert when Purgatoire River rises
Save this gauge in the free StormCast app and pick the level that matters to you. Your phone goes off when the water gets there.
