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Hydrograph River at a Glance Download
North Fork Big Thompson River (CO) at Drake Stage (ft)Flow (cfs)Observed: 2.5 ft at 4:15PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 2.5 ft at 4:30PM Mar 28, 2024Highest Observation: 2.51 ft at 4:45PM Mar 28, 2024Colorado Division of Water ResourcesDKKC2(plotting HGIRG) Graph Created (5:30PM Mar 28, 2024)ObservedLatest observed value: 2.51 ft at 4:45 PM MDT 28-Mar-2024. Flood Stage is 5.5 ft
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Tabular Data (UTC)
Tabular Data (MDT)
XML Data
RSS Files
Datum: NGVD29
Metadata
NOTE: Stage data may not be available during winter months.

NOTE: Graphical forecasts are not available for the North Fork Big Thompson River (CO) at Drake. During times of high water, forecast crest information can be found in the text products.

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Downstream Gauge Downstream Gauge - at Cedar Cove
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 7
Moderate Flood Stage: 6
Flood Stage: 5.5
Action Stage: 4.5
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

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

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

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

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.

For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov.

Zoom Level:15
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Gauge LocationGauge Map Marker
Disclaimer
Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.
Flood Impacts & Photos Collapse
If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
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.
6 Moderate flooding occurs with roads, homes, businesses and the Drake RV campground impacted.
5.5 Water overtops the road a mile east of Glen Haven and begins to affect some residences in Glen Haven.
4.5 Water overflows banks in the lowest areas adjacent to the river.
About This Location Collapse

Latitude: 40.433600° N, Longitude: 105.345800° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD27

River Stage
Reference Frame
Gauge Height Flood Stage Uses
NWS stage 0 ft 5.5 ft Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps
Vertical Datum Elevation
(gauge height = 0)
Elevation
(gauge height = flood stage)
Elevation information source
NAVD88 Not Available Not Available Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29 6195 6200.5 Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL Not Available Not Available Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other Not Available Not Available  
Additional Information Collapse
Observations provided by the Colorado Division of Water Resources in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Northern Water

How low could the river get?
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Hydrologic Resources Additional Resources
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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.
NWS Information
National Weather Service
Denver/Boulder Weather Forecast Office
325 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80305-3328
(303) 494-4221
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:28 PM
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