Purgatoire River near Las Animas, CO
River level and flood forecast · Bent County
Normal2.6 ftas of Mon 1:15 PM
The river is 6.4 ft below flood stage (9 ft).
Flow: 20 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Sat, Oct 3, 12:39 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 15 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 12 ft |
| Flood stage | 9 ft |
| Action stage | 8 ft |
| Record crest (May 30, 2021) | 14.45 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 22 ftMajor Flood. Water threatens Highway 101 near the Highway 101 Bridge 2 miles southeast of Las Animas.
- 20 ftMajor Flood. Water nears the base of the Highway 101 Bridge 2 miles southeast of Las Animas. Major agricultural flooding.
- 15 ftMajor Flood. Major agricultural flooding occurs along the river.
- 12 ftModerate Flood. Moderate agricultural flooding occurs in low lying areas along the river.
- 9 ftMinor Flood. Minor agricultural flooding occurs into low lying areas along the river.
- 8 ftAction Stage. Minor overbank flow occurs into low spots in the main river channel.
- 7 ftThe river is bankfull.
Highest crests on record
- 14.45 ft — May 30, 2021
- 12 ft — May 3, 1999
- 11.35 ft — July 22, 2023
- 10.52 ft — August 19, 2004
- 10.35 ft — July 6, 2023
Recent crests: 11.35 ft (July 22, 2023) · 10.35 ft (July 6, 2023) · 14.45 ft (May 30, 2021) · 10.26 ft (May 22, 2015) · 9.57 ft (June 9, 2014)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (LAPC2); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.