Cimarron River (NM) above Cimarron, NM

The last 7 days and the forecast

NWS forecast issued Sun, Dec 31, 5 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.

Flood stages

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

• 12.5 ftRecord breaking flooding is occurring along the Cimarron River from the Cimarron Canyon region through southern sections of Cimarron and along Philmont Boy Scout Ranch property. Much of U.S. Highway 64 is flooded and the canyon section is inaccessible. All travelers are urged to avoid the region until flood waters subside.
• 10 ftThe Cimarron River is in flood, approaching levels of the great flood of 1965. Water and debris cover U.S. Highway 64 in the Cimarron Canyon along several sections and camprgounds are in danger of being inundated. Further downstream from Cimarron to the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch, the state highway 21 bridge over the Cimarron River just south of Cimarron is in danger of being overtopped or the approaches to the bridge are already flooded. Philmont Ranch property is also flooding.
• 5 ftThe Cimarron River from near Ute Park to just west of Cimarron is out of its banks and minor flooding is occuring along this reach. Further upstream in Cimarron Canyon, water may be flowing across U.S. Highway 64 and flooding campgrounds in the canyon. Further river rises in the canyon could render the highway impassable. Further downriver from Cimarron to the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch, additional flow contributed by Rayado Creek and Ponil Creek could flood campsites on the Philmont Scout Ranch.

Highest crests on record

1. 12.42 ft — June 17, 1965
2. 9.52 ft — September 7, 2019
3. 8.15 ft — August 16, 2018
4. 6.62 ft — June 17, 2019
5. 6.44 ft — July 23, 2019

Recent crests: 9.52 ft (September 7, 2019) · 6.28 ft (August 7, 2019) · 6.28 ft (August 7, 2019) · 6.38 ft (July 28, 2019) · 6.44 ft (July 23, 2019)

Up and down the river, and nearby

• Vermejo River above Dawson, NM
• Costilla Creek at Costilla Reservoir, NM
• Canadian River near Taylor Springs, NM
• Rio Pueblo De Taos below Taos, NM
• Rio Grande near Cerro, NM
• Mora River at La Cueva, NM
• Costilla Creek at Costilla, NM
• Mora River near Golondrinas, NM