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: Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.

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

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Upstream Gauge

Downstream Gauge

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	6
Moderate Flood Stage:	5
Flood Stage:	4
Action Stage:	3.7
Low Stage (in feet):	-9999

Historic Crests
(1) 4.31 ft on 06/06/1921
(2) 4.27 ft on 06/02/2003
(3) 4.07 ft on 05/07/1969
(4) 4.01 ft on 07/24/1965
(5) 4.00 ft on 06/21/1947
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 3.34 ft on 06/19/2017 (P)
(2) 3.31 ft on 06/14/2016 (P)
(3) 3.42 ft on 06/14/2015
(4) 3.51 ft on 05/31/2014
(5) 3.99 ft on 09/12/2013
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.

Show FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers

Zoom Level:14

	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
11	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.
8.8	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.
7.7	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
6	This is a life threatening flood in Boulder Canyon. There is major flooding of homes and severe damage to Highway 119. There is also extensive flooding of streets near the creek in the city of Boulder.
5.5	Roads in Boulder Canyon are threatened. Considerable flooding occurs in downtown Boulder.
5	There is moderate flooding of roads, homes and businesses in Boulder Canyon.
4.8	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.
4.5	This would be the highest flow at Orodell since records began in 1907. A number of private bridges crossing the creek in Boulder Canyon flood. The library on Canyon Avenue in the city of Boulder is affected. County Road 73 is overtopped.
4	Debris in the creek could block flow at private bridges. 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.
3.7	Water flows into the lowest areas adjacent to the creek.
3.4	Typically a tubing ban is enacted on Boulder Creek when the flow is around 700-800 cfs.
Photos (1) Looking Upstream (2) Looking Downstream

About This Location

Latitude: 40.006400° N, Longitude: 105.330800° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD27

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	4 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	5826 ft	5833 ft	Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL	Not Available	Not Available	Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other	Not Available	Not Available

Additional Information

Observations provided by the Colorado Division of Water Resources
Observations also available from the Mile High Flood District

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: 2-Nov-2020 7:28 PM

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