Major Flood
12 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
9 ft
Minor Flood
6.8 ft
Action Stage
6.2 ft
What Floods at Each Level
12 ft
Cooper's El Vado Ranch and the Chama River RV Park and storage are getting flooded. The cabins nearest to the river will have water above the threshold of the doors.
9 ft
Flood waters are beginning to encroach on the Chama River RV Park and Storage campground near Cooper's El Vado Ranch.
6.8 ft
Low lying, mostly wild land along the riverbank begins to flood. Bank stability could be threatened and erosion is possible.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| May 21, 1920 | 12 ft | 9,000 cfs |
| May 6, 1985 | 7.08 ft | 6,610 cfs |
| May 16, 1941 | 6.89 ft | 6,010 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Rio Chama
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Rio Chama below El Vado Dam?
The Rio Chama below El Vado Dam gauge is maintained by USGS (site 08285500) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Rio Chama below El Vado Dam?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rio Chama below El Vado Dam is 6.8 feet. Action stage begins at 6.2 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 9 feet, and major flooding at 12 feet.
How do I get alerts when Rio Chama rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Rio Chama below El Vado Dam to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Rio Chama below El Vado Dam gauge located?
The gauge is located in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico at coordinates 36.5803°N, 106.7247°W. USGS site number: 08285500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Rio Chama
On This River
Downstream: Rio Chama above Abiquiu
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- 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.