ARIZONA FLOW REPORT

Last Updated: December 24, 2025

In Arizona, river enthusiasts and water resource managers face a varied flow landscape, with most rivers and streams currently experiencing below-normal streamflow conditions. The iconic Colorado River at Lees Ferry is flowing at 8,740 cubic feet per second (cfs), which is nearly 31% below its expected flow for this season, indicating a significant flow drought that could affect water supply and recreation. The river's gage height here stands at 8.29 feet. Downstream, near the Grand Canyon and above Diamond Creek, the Colorado River's flow remains low, with declines in the last 24 hours of up to 1.35 cfs, suggesting a continued trend of reduced water availability. The Verde River, on the other hand, shows a brighter spot at certain locations, such as near Scottsdale, where the flow is 21.59% above normal at 393 cfs, while below Bartlett Dam, the flow has decreased sharply by 35.14 cfs in the past day, illustrating the sudden variability river users may encounter.

Focusing on the Salt River, a critical water source for the Phoenix metropolitan area and popular for whitewater activities, we observe a remarkably low flow near Roosevelt at 127 cfs, which is 47.88% below normal, and an elevation of gage height to 5.94 feet, indicating potentially challenging conditions for water activities and riparian ecosystems. Similarly, the Gila Gravity Main Canal at Imperial Dam, essential for irrigation, is one of the few locations reporting streamflow slightly above normal at 1.31%, although the nearby Yuma Main Canal has seen a dramatic 24-hour decrease of 32.86 cfs. Such fluctuations could impact agricultural activities. For the smaller Virgin River at Littlefield and the Little Colorado River above its mouth near Desert View, their flows remain lower than average, which might affect local habitats and any smaller-scale recreational pursuits. These trends underscore the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptive water management in the state, particularly in the face of climate variability and the growing demands on Arizona's precious water resources.