National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

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Weather Forecast Office Denver/Boulder, CO

Missouri Basin River Forecast Center

Hydrograph

River at a Glance

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About this graph

Tabular Data (UTC)

Tabular Data (MST)

Datum: NGVD29

Metadata

NOTE: Gauge reading affected by reservoir operations.

NOTE: Gauge reading may be affected by ice during freezing weather from November to April.

NOTE: Forecasts for the Clear Creek (CO) near Lawson are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.

Return to Area Map

Downstream Gauge

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	9.5
Moderate Flood Stage:	8.5
Flood Stage:	7.5
Action Stage:	7
Low Stage (in feet):	-9999

Historic Crests
(1) 7.11 ft on 06/18/1995
(2) 7.11 ft on 07/08/2011
(3) 7.04 ft on 05/31/2003
(4) 6.76 ft on 06/22/1997
(5) 6.59 ft on 06/12/2015
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 6.05 ft on 06/12/2017
(2) 6.27 ft on 06/11/2016
(3) 6.59 ft on 06/12/2015
(4) 6.37 ft on 06/03/2014
(5) 6.10 ft on 06/11/2013
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 2.34 ft on 02/10/1981
(2) 2.34 ft on 02/18/1978

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

Show FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers

Zoom Level:11

	Gauge Location	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

If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
10.9	Major life threatening flooding occurs with extensive damage to Interstate 70 between Lawson and Idaho Springs. This level represents a flood that has a 0.2-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click here.
9.6	There is widespread major flooding of secondary roads, bridges, homes and businesses. This level represents a flood that has a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click here.
9.1	There is flooding and damage to U.S. Highway 6 in Clear Creek Canyon. This level represents a flood that has a 2-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click here.
8.5	There is moderate flooding in Idaho Springs. Homes begin to flood in Lawson.
7.8	This level represents a flood that has a 10-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click here.
7.5	Homes and businesses begin to flood in Idaho Springs.
7	Water overflows into low lying areas along the creek between Lawson and Idaho springs.
Photos (1) Looking Upstream (2) Looking Downstream

About This Location

Latitude: 39.765800° N, Longitude: 105.625600° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD27

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	7.5 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	8080	Not Available	Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL	Not Available	Not Available	Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other	Not Available	Not Available

Current/Historical Observations:

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data and Site Info for Lawson

Additional Information

River stage observations provided by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the City of Westminster

Resources

Hydrologic Resources

Additional Resources

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.

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: 4-Mar-2019 11:28 PM

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