Rio Chama near Chamita, NM

The last 7 days and the forecast

NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 7:12 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.

Flood stages

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

• 11.5 ftWater getting dangerously close to bottom of bridges on highway 285 and state route 74. Debris in river may get caught on bridge supports and send water over the roadway. Significant flooding to properties along the Rio Chama and Rio Ojo Caliente is occurring and private roads along the river are impassable.
• 8 ftProperties along the Rio Chama and southern reach of the Rio Ojo Caliente are flooded. Private roadways within several hundred yards of the river are impassable.
• 6 ftProperties in the flood plain along the Rio Chama and near the junction of the Rio Ojo Caliente will see water in their yards. Impacts can include bank erosion and damage to wells and septic tanks. These impacts will increase in severity at higher river levels.
• 5.5 ftBankfull stage. Properties immediately adjacent to the river upstream of the bridge on SR-74 and especially near the junction with the Rio Ojo Caliente may see water encroach onto low lying areas.

Highest crests on record

1. 11.68 ft — August 14, 1994
2. 10.45 ft — May 22, 1920
3. 9.65 ft — August 12, 1929
4. 9.56 ft — August 29, 1969
5. 9.5 ft — May 14, 1941

Recent crests: 9.14 ft (September 18, 2013) · 6.66 ft (July 21, 2009) · 6.33 ft (April 25, 2008) · 6.86 ft (May 11, 2005) · 6.59 ft (July 29, 2000)

Up and down the river, and nearby

• UpstreamRio Chama below Abiquiu, NM
• Rio Grande at Embudo, NM
• Rio Grande at Otowi, NM
• Embudo Creek below Dixon, NM
• Rio Ojo Caliente below La Madera, NM
• Rio Chama at Abiquiu Dam, NM
• Rio Grande below Taos, NM
• Santa Fe River (NM) at Nichols Dam, NM