Major Flood
15 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
12 ft
Minor Flood
10 ft
Action Stage
8 ft
What Floods at Each Level
15 ft
Homes along the Rio Grande banks at Embudo are subject to serious flooding as the river is approaching the all time record stage of 15.9 feet set in 1903. Lowland flooding is also occurring along the Rio Grande both above and below the Embudo gauging site. Sections of state route 570 from Pilar to the Taos Junction Bridge are inundated and impassable.
12 ft
Properties along the west bank of the river just upstream of the gage are beginning to flood. Aguas Caliente Rd Bridge is flooded, cutting off homes on west bank of river in Pilar. Water covers parts of State Road 570 above Pilar, and day use recreational sites along the river above Pilar are flooded.
10 ft
Access to riverside picnic facilities above Pilar but below the Taos Junction Bridge may be affected due to flooding. Water is about to flow over the Aguas Caliente Rd Bridge in Pilar. This could impact locals living on west side of Rio Grande. No significant damages are expected until the river rises to 12 feet or higher.
8 ft
Minor overbank flows are occurring above the Embudo gaging site. Access to riverside picnic facilities above Pilar and below the Taos Junction Bridge along State Route 570 will be limited if further rises occur. Water may be extremely close to underside of bridge over Rio Grande on Aguas Caliente Rd in Pilar. Other localized effects due to the high water levels will begin to be felt at a stage of 10 feet but no significant flooding is expected until the river rises to 12 feet.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 1903 | 15.9 ft | 16,200 cfs |
| Jun 15, 1921 | 14.02 ft | 14,400 cfs |
| May 15, 1941 | 13.95 ft | 12,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
EMBN5
River
Rio Grande
County
Rio Arriba, NM
Coordinates
36.2056°N, 105.9639°W
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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 Grande at Embudo?
The Rio Grande at Embudo gauge is maintained by USGS (site 08279500) 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 Grande at Embudo?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rio Grande at Embudo is 10 feet. Action stage begins at 8 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 12 feet, and major flooding at 15 feet.
How do I get alerts when Rio Grande rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Rio Grande at Embudo 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 Grande at Embudo gauge located?
The gauge is located in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico at coordinates 36.2056°N, 105.9639°W. USGS site number: 08279500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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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.