Major Flood
10 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
7 ft
Action Stage
6.5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
9 ft
irrgation gates and controls along the river are inundated. Some homes nearest the river are threatened or already inundated by the floodwaters. Flooding can also be expected at the confluence of the Rio Chama and further down river toward Espanola along the Rio Chama.
7 ft
farm and pasture land is being inundated, and irrigation channels and gates may be severely damaged if high flows persist.
6.5 ft
bankfull stage. Minor inundation due to overbank flow possible. Nuisance flooding is possible in low lying areas downstream near the confluence of the Rio Ojo Caliente and the Rio Chama.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 25, 2025 | 10.32 ft | 4,590 cfs |
| Aug 13, 1994 | 8.27 ft | 3,640 cfs |
| Jul 7, 1998 | 7.7 ft | 3,990 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
LMDN5
River
Rio Ojo Caliente
County
Rio Arriba, NM
Coordinates
36.3497°N, 106.0442°W
Get Flood Alerts for Rio Ojo Caliente
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 Ojo Caliente below La Madera?
The Rio Ojo Caliente below La Madera gauge is maintained by USGS (site 08289000) 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 Ojo Caliente below La Madera?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rio Ojo Caliente below La Madera is 7 feet. Action stage begins at 6.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 9 feet, and major flooding at 10 feet.
How do I get alerts when Rio Ojo Caliente rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Rio Ojo Caliente below La Madera 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 Ojo Caliente below La Madera gauge located?
The gauge is located in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico at coordinates 36.3497°N, 106.0442°W. USGS site number: 08289000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
On This River
Downstream: Rio Chama near Chamita
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.