North Fork Big Thompson River (CO) at Drake
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
- Upstream gauge unavailableWarning: no valid ratings curve available. Transformations to and from FEET/CFS/KCFS will not happen.No secondary data available. Transformations for Flow data and a secondary Y axis cannot be made at this time.
Traces and Thresholds Click to turn on/off display
Observed (OBS) 06/29/2025 7:30 PM MDTCATEGORY STAGE 
Major Flooding 7 ft Moderate Flooding 6 ft Minor Flooding 5.5 ft Action 4.5 ft Reliability of the Forecast:
NOTE: Graphical forecasts are not available during times of high water, forecast crest information can be found in the local WFO web page.
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
- 8 - This is a major, life threatening flood. There is extensive inundation of houses and businesses with severe damage to County Road 43 from Glen Haven through Drake.
- 7 - Major flooding occurs along the river with County Road 43 likely damaged.
- 6.5 - Water is up to the base of the bridges at Glen Haven and Drake. High water isolates houses.
Gauge Info
| Coordinates | 40.4336, -105.346 |
| RFC | MBRFC |
| State | CO |
| WFO | BOU |
| County | Larimer |
| Data Provider(s) | |
| CO Division of Water Resources | Colorado Division of Water Resources |
Gauge Location
Recent Crests
| 1. | 4.48 ft | on 07-04-2021 |
| 2. | 3.19 ft | on 06-02-2020 |
| 3. | 3.49 ft | on 06-30-2019 |
| 4. | 3.12 ft | on 06-17-2018 |
| 5. | 3.76 ft | on 05-24-2017 |
Recent Crests
| 1. | 4.48 ft | on 07-04-2021 |
| 2. | 3.19 ft | on 06-02-2020 |
| 3. | 3.49 ft | on 06-30-2019 |
| 4. | 3.12 ft | on 06-17-2018 |
| 5. | 3.76 ft | on 05-24-2017 |
| 6. | 11.55 ft | on 09-12-2013 |
| 7. | 9.31 ft | on 07-31-1976 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 11.55 ft | on 09-12-2013 |
| 2. | 9.31 ft | on 07-31-1976 |
| 3. | 4.48 ft | on 07-04-2021 |
| 4. | 3.76 ft | on 05-24-2017 |
| 5. | 3.49 ft | on 06-30-2019 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 11.55 ft | on 09-12-2013 |
| 2. | 9.31 ft | on 07-31-1976 |
| 3. | 4.48 ft | on 07-04-2021 |
| 4. | 3.76 ft | on 05-24-2017 |
| 5. | 3.49 ft | on 06-30-2019 |
| 6. | 3.19 ft | on 06-02-2020 |
| 7. | 3.12 ft | on 06-17-2018 |
Vertical Datum Table
| type | NGVD29 |
|---|---|
| major Flooding | 6202.00 ft |
| moderate Flooding | 6201.00 ft |
| minor Flooding | 6200.50 ft |
| action | 6199.50 ft |
| Latest Value | 6196.17 ft |
| Gauge Zero | 6195.00 ft |
Gauge Photos
No Images Found
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.
Resources
Hydrologic Resource Links
- River Forecast Centers
- Text Products
- Past Precipitation
- Forecast Precipitation
- NE/NC Colorado Graphical Forecasts
- Precipitation & Temperature Outlooks
- CoCoRaHS Precipitation Observation Maps
- HPRCC Climate Maps
- Cooperative Observer Monthly Precipitation
- Drought Monitor - Colorado
- CCC NIDIS Weekly Drought Summary
- Seasonal Drought Outlook
- Colorado Snow Maps & Graphs
- U.S. Snowfall Analysis Map
- National Snow Cover Analyses
- Probabilistic Winter Precipitation Guidance
- Turn Around Don't Drown
Additional Resource Links
- NWS Precipitation and River Forecasting
- Area Hydrographs
- Colorado DWR Real-time Streamflow
- CWCB Drought, Flood & Water Supply
- Denver Water Reservoir Levels
- Fort Collins Stormwater Warning System
- NRCS SNOTEL & Snow Course
- MHFD ALERT Rainfall & Streamflow
- USBR Central CO Lakes & Reservoirs
- USGS Current Colorado Streamflow
- USGS WaterWatch Colorado
- Inundation Mapping Locations