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SwedenPurgatoire River near Las Animas water level
River gauge, Purgatoire River, Colorado, United States
Right now
Below flood stage
Water level
- Flow
- 19.2 cfs
History
What this means
Water levels are unremarkable at Purgatoire River near Las Animas, where the gauge shows 2.61 ft.
It is 6.39 ft below the flood stage of 9.00 ft.
It is on the way up, by 0.18 ft over the past 24 hours. There is still 6.39 ft of room before flood stage. The 30-day range is 2.43 ft – 2.64 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns.
Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Highest on record
- 14.45 ftMay 30, 2021
Paddling and fishing conditions
Most paddlers and anglers will find the river in good shape at this stage.
For reference, flood stage is 9.00 ft.
What happens at each level
- 22.00 ft
- Major Flood. Water threatens Highway 101 near the Highway 101 Bridge 2 miles southeast of Las Animas.
- 20.00 ft
- Major Flood. Water nears the base of the Highway 101 Bridge 2 miles southeast of Las Animas. Major agricultural flooding.
- 15.00 ft
- Major Flood. Major agricultural flooding occurs along the river.
- 12.00 ft
- Moderate Flood. Moderate agricultural flooding occurs in low lying areas along the river.
- 9.00 ft
- Minor Flood. Minor agricultural flooding occurs into low lying areas along the river.
- 8.00 ft
- Action Stage. Minor overbank flow occurs into low spots in the main river channel.
- 7.00 ft
- The river is bankfull.
- 2.61 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
Chance of at least minor flooding in October to December: 18 %.
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14.45 ft | May 30, 2021 |
| 2 | 12.00 ft | May 3, 1999 |
| 3 | 11.35 ft | July 22, 2023 |
| 4 | 10.52 ft | August 19, 2004 |
| 5 | 10.35 ft | July 6, 2023 |
| 6 | 10.26 ft | May 22, 2015 |
| 7 | 10.21 ft | August 31, 1996 |
| 8 | 10.20 ft | May 31, 1995 |
| 9 | 9.64 ft | August 12, 1997 |
| 10 | 9.57 ft | June 9, 2014 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Other gauges on the Purgatoire River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purgatoire River at MadridRiver gauge, Purgatoire River | 2.81 ft | Below flood stage | +0.01 ft | 101 mi |
| Purgatoire River below Trinidad LakeRiver gauge, Purgatoire River | 4.01 ft | Below flood stage | ±0 | 96 mi |
| Purgatoire River near ThatcherRiver gauge, Purgatoire River | 6.1 cfs | Low | −0.6 cfs | 60 mi |
| Purgatoire River at Rock Crossing near TimpasRiver gauge, Purgatoire River | 8.7 cfs | Low | −3.0 cfs | 36 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River at Las AnimasRiver gauge, Arkansas River | 4.7 cfs | Very low | ±0 | 3.4 mi |
| John Martin Reservoir at CaddoaReservoir, John Martin Reservoir | 3,805.60 ft | No reference yet | −0.01 ft | 15 mi |
| Arkansas River below John Martin ReservoirRiver gauge, Arkansas River | 23.9 cfs | Low | −56.6 cfs | 15 mi |
| Timpas Creek at Mouth near SwinkRiver gauge, Timpas Creek | 26.2 cfs | Very low | −9.2 cfs | 25 mi |
| Arkansas River at LamarRiver gauge, Arkansas River | 5.78 ft | Below flood stage | +0.05 ft | 32 mi |
Questions and answers
What is flood stage for the Purgatoire River near Las Animas?
The official flood stage is 9.00 ft. The level is currently 6.39 ft below it.
Is gage height the same as water depth?
No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.
What is the water level of Purgatoire River near Las Animas today?
On Oct 20, 2026, 02:15 AM MDT, the water level was 2.61 ft. Up 0.18 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is Purgatoire River near Las Animas rising or falling?
Up 0.18 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is the level of Purgatoire River near Las Animas normal?
Below flood stage. Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge.
What is the highest water level ever recorded at Purgatoire River near Las Animas?
The highest level on record is 14.45 ft on May 30, 2021.
How often is this data updated?
The U.S. Geological Survey publishes a new reading every 15 minutes. This page refreshes within minutes of each update.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:07128500(Agency page)- Coordinates
38.03422, -103.20142(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NGVD29
- Update interval
- every 15 minutes
- Licence
- Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision
Published series
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | 2.61 ft | 2026-10-20 08:15 | Provisional |
| Flow | 19.2 cfs | 2026-10-20 08:15 | Provisional |
Download
Embed this gauge
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Purgatoire River near Las Animas (usgs:07128500). Accessed October 20, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/colorado/purgatoire-river-near-las-animas
How we check values
Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.
Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer