Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs, CO
USGS gauge 09085000 · drainage 1,453 sq mi · observed Oct 16, 7:45 PM MDT · 35 min old
Last 7 days Live gauge
Source: USGS Water Data API (continuous values), observed to Oct 16, 7:45 PM MDT. Shaded band: 25th to 75th percentile of USGS daily statistics for each date; dashed: median. Flow in cfs.
Rate of rise and fall Live gauge
| Window | Flow then | Change to latest | Gage height then | Gage height change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 h | 561 cfs | ▬ +0.00 cfs (+0.0%) | 1.88 ft | +0.00 ft |
| 3 h | 561 cfs | ▬ +0.00 cfs (+0.0%) | 1.88 ft | +0.00 ft |
| 6 h | 572 cfs | ▼ -11 cfs (-1.9%) | 1.90 ft | -0.02 ft |
| 12 h | 567 cfs | ▼ -6.0 cfs (-1.1%) | 1.89 ft | -0.01 ft |
| 24 h | 637 cfs | ▼ -76 cfs (-11.9%) | 2.01 ft | -0.13 ft |
Last 7 days
| Measure | Flow | Time | Relative to latest reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest reading | 723 cfs | Oct 15, 3:15 AM MDT | 40 h earlier |
| Lowest reading | 410 cfs | Oct 10, 6:30 AM MDT | 157 h earlier |
Source: computed from USGS continuous readings (Water Data API) to Oct 16, 7:45 PM MDT. Each row compares the latest reading with the reading closest to that many hours earlier; the arrow is steady (▬) when the change is within 1%.
Daily mean flow Live gauge
| Date (gauge-local) | Mean flow | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 16, 2026 | 573 cfs | |
| Oct 15, 2026 | 676 cfs | |
| Oct 14, 2026 | 592 cfs | |
| Oct 13, 2026 | 512 cfs | |
| Oct 12, 2026 | 462 cfs | |
| Oct 11, 2026 | 457 cfs | |
| Oct 10, 2026 | 423 cfs | |
| Oct 9, 2026 | 421 cfs | |
| Oct 8, 2026 | – | Partial day |
Source: USGS Water Data API (continuous values); each mean uses readings on that gauge-local date, shown only with at least 80% of expected readings.
The same 50 days in earlier years Historical record
━ 2026 ╌ 2025 ╌ 2024 ╌ 2023
| Year | Mean flow | Highest day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 448 cfs | 714 cfs |
| 2025 | 526 cfs | 827 cfs |
| 2024 | 664 cfs | 931 cfs |
| 2023 | 664 cfs | 979 cfs |
Source: USGS daily mean flows (Water Data API). Each line is the 50 days from Aug 27 to Oct 15, shifted to the same calendar dates in earlier years; gaps are days without a published value. Recent days are provisional.
Compared with this gauge’s record Historical record
| Measure | Value | When or rank |
|---|---|---|
| Peak daily flow, last 7 days | 671 cfs | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Last time daily flow was this high or higher | 714 cfs | Aug 30, 2026 (2 months earlier) |
| Last day above the 90th percentile for its date, before this peak | Mar 29, 2026 | 7 months earlier |
| Days above the 75th percentile for their date | 0 of 30 | last 30 days |
| October 1 to 15, mean flow | 460 cfs | rank 110 highest of 120 years |
| Peak daily mean compared with annual instantaneous peaks of record | Below the lowest of 118 | lowest annual peak 2,110 cfs |
Source: USGS daily mean flows (Water Data API), 1906 to 2026 (43,561 days), data through Oct 15, 2026, computed 2026-10-17; method record-v1. Percentiles are USGS daily statistics. Recent days are provisional.
Largest annual peaks Historical record
Ten largest peaks of record
| Date | Peak flow | Gage height at peak |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 1957 | 19,000 cfs | 8.64 ft |
| Jun 14, 1918 | 17,600 cfs | 8.45 ft |
| Jun 14, 1921 | 17,600 cfs | 8.70 ft |
| Jun 14, 1914 | 14,200 cfs | 7.93 ft |
| Jun 6, 1958 | 13,900 cfs | 7.25 ft |
| Jun 22, 1938 | 13,400 cfs | 7.68 ft |
| Jun 11, 1952 | 13,000 cfs | 7.74 ft |
| Jul 13, 1995 | 13,000 cfs | 8.31 ft |
| Jun 6, 1912 | 12,800 cfs | 7.55 ft |
| Jun 14, 1924 | 12,500 cfs | 6.85 ft |
Five most recent annual peaks
| Date | Peak flow | Gage height at peak |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 3, 2025 | 3,360 cfs | 4.76 ft |
| Jun 9, 2024 | 7,640 cfs | 7.19 ft |
| Jun 22, 2023 | 5,660 cfs | 6.10 ft |
| Jun 12, 2022 | 5,230 cfs | 5.86 ft |
| Jun 5, 2021 | 3,750 cfs | 4.94 ft |
Source: USGS annual peak streamflow (Water Data API), 118 annual peaks, 1906 to 2025. A water year's peak is its highest instantaneous flow.
Historic crests Official NWS
| Date | Crest stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 13, 1921 | 8.70 ft | 17,600 cfs |
| Jun 30, 1957 | 8.64 ft | 19,000 cfs |
| Jun 13, 1918 | 8.45 ft | 17,600 cfs |
| Jul 12, 1995 | 8.31 ft | 13,000 cfs |
| Jun 24, 1983 | 8.06 ft | 12,100 cfs |
| Jun 19, 1909 | 8.00 ft | 11,600 cfs |
| Jun 13, 1914 | 7.93 ft | 13,900 cfs |
| Jun 13, 1906 | 7.85 ft | 12,300 cfs |
| Jun 10, 1952 | 7.74 ft | 13,000 cfs |
| Jun 21, 1938 | 7.68 ft | 13,400 cfs |
Source: National Weather Service forecast point GWSC2 (Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs), historic crests as published by the NWS; the NWS may have recorded them on an older gauge datum. The USGS annual peaks above are a separate record and can differ in date, flow and datum.
Gage height to flow rating Historical record
Line: current USGS rating, gage height (ft, horizontal) to flow (cfs, vertical). ● latest reading, 1.88 ft and 561 cfs.
Source: USGS rating table for the gauge (NWIS rating depot, expanded shifted rating, 795 rows, thinned to 101 points), fetched Oct 16, 8:13 PM MDT. Ratings are provisional and change with the channel.
Snow water equivalent at nearby SNOTEL stations Weather station
| Station | Distance | Elevation | Snow water now | Median for date | Of median | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bison Lake | 15 mi | 10,950 ft | 2.0 in | 0.1 in | 2000% | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Burro Mountain | 27 mi | 9,290 ft | 0.7 in | 0.0 in | – | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Mc Clure Pass | 29 mi | 8,760 ft | 0.2 in | 0.0 in | – | Oct 15, 2026 |
Source: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service SNOTEL stations within 37 miles of the gauge (AWDB web service), fetched Oct 16, 7:49 PM MDT. Provisional data; stations may not drain to this gauge.
Water temperature by month Historical record
Source: USGS daily mean water temperature (parameter 00010, Water Data API), 1980 to 2026, mean of all published daily values in each calendar month (days counted under each month; (few) means fewer than 150 daily values).
Water quality sensors Live gauge
| Measure | Latest value | Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Water temperature | 52.0 °F (11.1 °C) | Oct 16, 7:45 PM MDT |
| Dissolved oxygen | 9.0 mg/L | Oct 16, 7:45 PM MDT |
| Turbidity | 16 FNU | Oct 16, 7:45 PM MDT |
| pH | 8.6 pH units | Oct 16, 7:45 PM MDT |
| Specific conductance | 755 µS/cm | Oct 16, 7:45 PM MDT |
Source: USGS Water Data API (continuous values). Values as reported by the gauge, provisional.
Flood stages Official NWS
| Category | Gage height (ft) |
|---|---|
| Action | 9.0 ft |
| Minor | 9.3 ft |
| Moderate | 14.0 ft |
| Major | 17.0 ft |
Source: National Weather Service forecast point GWSC2 (Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs), fetched Oct 16, 8:18 PM MDT. Compare with the gage height above; thresholds belong to that forecast point.
Flood impacts by stage Official NWS
| Stage | National Weather Service impact statement |
|---|---|
| 5.1 ft | Water is receding from the Veltus Park observation peninsula protruding into the Roaring Fork River on the left bank just above the gage site. |
| 9.0 ft | River reaches top of bank in Veltus Park and in Rivers Meadows Mobile Home Park. |
| 9.0 ft | River is at top of bank in Veltus Park and in Rivers Meadows Mobile Home Park. |
| 9.3 ft | Minor flooding of the River Meadows Mobile Home Park is occurring. The lower level of Veltus Park is flooding including the lower parking lot and the picnic pavilion. The river gage site is flooded. |
| 9.3 ft | Minor flooding of the River Meadows Mobile Home Park is occurring. The lower level of Veltus Park is flooding including the lower parking lot and the picnic pavilion. The river gage site is flooding. |
| 10.3 ft | Water is receding from the lower portion of the bike path on the right bank near the 8th Street bridge. Lower portions of lawns on left bank downstream from bridge flooded. Low lying portions of the River Meadows Mobile Home Park are flooded. |
| 10.3 ft | Lower portion of the bike path on the right bank near the 8th Street bridge begins to flood. Lower portions of lawns on left bank downstream from bridge flooded. Low lying portions of the River Meadows Mobile Home Park are flooded. |
| 14.1 ft | Water is at the foundation of the Glenwood Springs Baptist Church, located on the right bank just upstream of the West 8th Street bridge. Major flooding is occurring in the River Meadows Mobile Home Park. Gage site is likely destroyed. Waters are receding. |
| 14.1 ft | Water reaches the foundation of the Glenwood Springs Baptist Church, located on the right bank just upstream of the West 8th Street bridge. Major flooding is occurring in the River Meadows Mobile Home Park. Gage site is likely destroyed. |
| 16.0 ft | Water reaches building in back of Glenwood Springs Baptist Church lot. Major flood damage has occurred in River Meadows Mobile Home Park. |
| 16.0 ft | Water reaches building in back of Glenwood Springs Baptist Church lot. Major flood damage has occurred in River Meadows Mobile Home Park. Waters are receding. |
| 16.4 ft | Water reaches the bottom of the West 8th Street bridge. Water is approaching the foundations of homes along the left and right banks downstream from the bridge. |
| 16.4 ft | Water is receding from the bottom of the West 8th Street bridge. Water is receding from the foundations of homes along the left and right banks downstream from the bridge. |
| 16.9 ft | Water is receding from the foundation of the second house on left bank downstream of bridge. |
| 16.9 ft | Water reaches foundation of Farnum Holt Funeral Home on right bank downstream of West 8th Street bridge. |
| 18.4 ft | Water is receding from the foundation of second house on left bank downstream of bridge. |
| 18.4 ft | Water reaches foundation of second house on left bank downstream of bridge. |
| 21.1 ft | Water covers the road on the West 8th Street bridge. |
| 21.1 ft | River water is receding from the road surface on the West 8th Street bridge. |
| 22.2 ft | Water reaches the foundation of house on left bank closest to the downstream side of the bridge. |
| 22.2 ft | Water is receding from the foundation of house on left bank closest to the downstream side of the bridge. |
| 31.0 ft | Water reaches Automotive Shop on Right Bank across from the gage site. Devastating flooding is occurring. |
| 31.0 ft | Water is receding from the Automotive Shop on Right Bank across from the gage site. Devastating flooding has occurred. |
| 36.4 ft | Flood waters are receding from the Glenwood Springs Elementary School on right bank across from gage site. |
| 36.4 ft | Flooding starts at the Glenwood Springs Elementary School on right bank across from gage site. |
Source: National Weather Service forecast point GWSC2 (Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs). Statements are quoted from the NWS and describe that forecast point.
Sources and method
- Data: U.S. Geological Survey. Terms
- River forecasts and flood stages: National Weather Service. National Water Model guidance: NOAA. Terms
- Snow data: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Terms
USGS daily statistics, downloaded 2026-10-12
Percentile method: trailing 24 h mean vs USGS daily percentiles for calendar date 10-16.
Percentile is estimated from USGS published daily percentiles. Readings are provisional until USGS reviews them. Not endorsed by USGS, NOAA or the National Weather Service. Not for navigation or safety-of-life decisions; the absence of an alert is not a statement that conditions are safe.