Major Flood
15 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
Loading...
Streamflow
Loading...
Last Reading
Loading...
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
9 ft
What Floods at Each Level
10 ft
Portions of state road 570 from above Pilar up to the Taos Junction bridge are inundated by one to two feet of water. Water levels have not been this high in the Pilar region since at least 1921. Rafting takeout points below the Taos Junction bridge along state road 570 may no longer be accessable.
9 ft
A few low spots along state road 570 above Pilar along the Rio Grande will have up to six inches of ponded water on the roadway. Some of the day use recreation areas above Pilar between state road 570 and the Rio Grande will begin to flood.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
Loading chart data...
Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| May 16, 1941 | 9.41 ft | 9,630 cfs |
| Jun 21, 1949 | 9.23 ft | 9,730 cfs |
| Jun 6, 1948 | 9.18 ft | 9,730 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Rio Grande
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 below Taos?
The Rio Grande below Taos gauge is maintained by USGS (site 08276500) 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 below Taos?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rio Grande below Taos is 10 feet. Action stage begins at 9 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 below Taos 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 below Taos gauge located?
The gauge is located in Taos County, New Mexico at coordinates 36.3200°N, 105.7544°W. USGS site number: 08276500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Rio Grande
On This River
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.