Major Flood
17 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
13 ft
Minor Flood
9 ft
Action Stage
8 ft
What Floods at Each Level
17 ft
Flooding along the Rio Grande from above Cochiti Lake to Espanola exceeds the flood of 1920 and may exceed any flood level since 1740. Portions of San Ildefonso and Santa Clara Pueblos are inundated as are parts of Espanola.
13 ft
Cultivated lands upriver through San Ildefonso and Santa Clara Pueblos are being inundated. Backwater flooding is occurring where creeks and arroyos join the Rio Grande. Debris in the fast flowing water could result in debris damming at nearby bridges causing local overflows. The flow in the river is approaching the flood flow of 1941 which was estimated at 22,500 cubic feet per second.
9 ft
Flooding of cultivated lands upstream of the Otowi gage will increase if water levels rise further. Fast flowing water could undermine the river banks.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 28, 1904 | 14.5 ft | 22,000 cfs |
| May 22, 1920 | 14.1 ft | 24,400 cfs |
| May 15, 1941 | 13.54 ft | 22,500 cfs |
About This Gauge
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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 Otowi?
The Rio Grande at Otowi gauge is maintained by USGS (site 08313000) 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 Otowi?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rio Grande at Otowi is 9 feet. Action stage begins at 8 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 13 feet, and major flooding at 17 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 Otowi 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 Otowi gauge located?
The gauge is located in Santa Fe County, New Mexico at coordinates 35.8744°N, 106.1425°W. USGS site number: 08313000. 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.