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Hydrograph River at a Glance Download
Rio Grande at Espanola Stage (ft)Flow (kcfs)USGS--Water Resources of the United StatesESPN5(plotting HGIRG) Graph Created (12:30PM Mar 28, 2024)Flood Stage is 9.5 ft
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Datum: Not Available
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NOTE: 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.

NOTE: We are looking for a volunteer to monitor this river gauge. If interested, contact the local NWS office.

NOTE: Forecasts for the Rio Grande at Espanola are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.

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Upstream Gauge - at Embudo Upstream Gauge Downstream Gauge Downstream Gauge - at Otowi
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 13
Moderate Flood Stage: 11.5
Flood Stage: 9.5
Action Stage: 8
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

Historic Crests
(1) 10.40 ft on 05/15/1941
(2) 9.60 ft on 04/24/1942
(3) 9.40 ft on 05/26/1905
(4) 9.00 ft on 05/23/1920
(5) 8.90 ft on 05/17/1944
(6) 8.80 ft on 06/08/1948
(7) 8.73 ft on 06/09/1979
(8) 8.70 ft on 05/09/1952
(9) 8.67 ft on 05/14/1985
(10) 8.61 ft on 05/30/1958
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 6.41 ft on 05/25/1992
(2) 7.49 ft on 05/01/1987
(3) 8.67 ft on 05/14/1985
(4) 8.73 ft on 06/09/1979
(5) 7.78 ft on 05/22/1973
(6) 8.61 ft on 05/30/1958
(7) 8.70 ft on 05/09/1952
(8) 7.90 ft on 06/20/1949
(9) 8.80 ft on 06/08/1948
(10) 8.10 ft on 05/13/1945
Show More Recent Crests

(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:16
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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
11.5 Flow in the Rio Grande below the confluence with the Rio Chama exceeds 20 thousand cubic feet per second and significant overbank flooding is occurring above and below Espanola. Earthen levees protecting the city and the water filtration plant are threatened by the unusually high water levels. Irrigation canals in the area will likely sustain significant flood damage.
9.5 Areas above and below Espanola will begin to flood. Most of the area affected by flooding is farmland or pasture land. The main sections of the city of Espanola are protected by levees to 11.5 feet or slightly higher.
About This Location Collapse

Latitude: 35.988056° N, Longitude: 106.075000° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage
Reference Frame
Gauge Height Flood Stage Uses
NWS stage 0 ft 9.5 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 Not Available Not Available 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
If interested in becoming the volunteer observer, please contact royce.fontenot@noaa.gov
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Hydrologic Resources Additional Resources
Collaborative Agencies Collapse
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
Albuquerque Weather Forecast Office
2341 Clark Carr Loop SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 243-0702
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:28 PM
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