Rio Chama near Chamita
Future / Actual / Minor
OWP 2.0 WWA Modal Title
01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC through 01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC
Sender
Sent
- Warning: no valid ratings curve available. Transformations to and from FEET/CFS/KCFS will not happen.
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Observed (OBS) 06/16/2025 8:00 AM MDTOfficial Forecast (FCST) 06/16/2025 6:25 AM MDTRecord: 11.7 ftLow Threshold: 0 ftCATEGORY STAGE 
Major Flooding 11.5 ft Moderate Flooding 8 ft Minor Flooding 6 ft Action 5.5 ft Reliability of the Forecast:
NOTE: Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
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.
National Water Model Hydrograph
Official NWS streamflow forecasts are produced by NWS hydrologic forecasters for river gauge locations using hydrologic models which are calibrated to that location. This process considers additional guidance and information, including local expertise and experience, to produce the best forecast possible. The NWM output provides supplemental guidance to NWS forecasters and should not be considered an official NWS river forecast.
Flood Impacts
- 11.5 - Water 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 - Properties 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 - Properties 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.
Gauge Info
| Coordinates | 36.0736, -106.112 |
| RFC | WGRFC |
| State | NM |
| WFO | ABQ |
| County | Rio Arriba |
| Data Provider(s) | |
| US Geological Survey | USGS--Water Resources of the United States |
| USGS | 08290000 |
Gauge Location
Recent Crests
| 1. | 9.14 ft | on 09-18-2013 |
| 2. | 6.66 ft | on 07-21-2009 |
| 3. | 6.33 ft | on 04-25-2008 |
| 4. | 6.86 ft | on 05-11-2005 |
| 5. | 6.59 ft | on 07-29-2000 |
Recent Crests
| 1. | 9.14 ft | on 09-18-2013 |
| 2. | 6.66 ft | on 07-21-2009 |
| 3. | 6.33 ft | on 04-25-2008 |
| 4. | 6.86 ft | on 05-11-2005 |
| 5. | 6.59 ft | on 07-29-2000 |
| 6. | 7.29 ft | on 09-29-1998 |
| 7. | 6.74 ft | on 05-22-1995 |
| 8. | 11.68 ft | on 08-14-1994 |
| 9. | 6.89 ft | on 06-13-1991 |
| 10. | 7.29 ft | on 06-18-1984 |
| 11. | 9.56 ft | on 08-29-1969 |
| 12. | 7.95 ft | on 08-09-1967 |
| 13. | 8.80 ft | on 04-23-1942 |
| 14. | 9.50 ft | on 05-14-1941 |
| 15. | 9.65 ft | on 08-12-1929 |
| 16. | 10.45 ft | on 05-22-1920 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 11.68 ft | on 08-14-1994 |
| 2. | 10.45 ft | on 05-22-1920 |
| 3. | 9.65 ft | on 08-12-1929 |
| 4. | 9.56 ft | on 08-29-1969 |
| 5. | 9.50 ft | on 05-14-1941 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 11.68 ft | on 08-14-1994 |
| 2. | 10.45 ft | on 05-22-1920 |
| 3. | 9.65 ft | on 08-12-1929 |
| 4. | 9.56 ft | on 08-29-1969 |
| 5. | 9.50 ft | on 05-14-1941 |
| 6. | 9.14 ft | on 09-18-2013 |
| 7. | 8.80 ft | on 04-23-1942 |
| 8. | 7.95 ft | on 08-09-1967 |
| 9. | 7.29 ft | on 09-29-1998 |
| 10. | 7.29 ft | on 06-18-1984 |
| 11. | 6.89 ft | on 06-13-1991 |
| 12. | 6.86 ft | on 05-11-2005 |
| 13. | 6.74 ft | on 05-22-1995 |
| 14. | 6.66 ft | on 07-21-2009 |
| 15. | 6.59 ft | on 07-29-2000 |
| 16. | 6.33 ft | on 04-25-2008 |
Low Water Records
Low Water Records
Vertical Datum Table
| type | NGVD29 |
|---|---|
| major Flooding | 5665.11 ft |
| moderate Flooding | 5661.61 ft |
| minor Flooding | 5659.61 ft |
| action | 5659.11 ft |
| Latest Value | 5657.48 ft |
| Gauge Zero | 5653.61 ft |
Collaborative Agencies
The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.