Purgatoire River At Trinidad flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Purgatoire River At Trinidad is flowing at 40 cfs with a gage height of 1.42 ft. Source: USGS gauge #07124500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Purgatoire River At Trinidad at a glance
How Purgatoire River At Trinidad is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Purgatoire River At Trinidad is flowing at 40 cfs, with the water sitting 1.42 ft at the gage.
This is USGS gauge #07124500 in Colorado. Over the past 10 days the average has been 38 cfs, peaking at 46 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Purgatoire River At Trinidad is expected to hold near today's 40 cfs, toward roughly 44 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 22-86 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Colorado flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Purgatoire River At Trinidad
The river's flow is influenced by snowmelt and precipitation, with peak flows occurring in the spring and early summer. The river's main tributaries include the Apishapa, Timpas, and Picketwire creeks, and it is impounded by the North Lake dam. The Purgatoire River has historical significance, as it was a major route for Spanish explorers and later served as a trail for Native Americans, fur trappers, and early settlers. Additionally, the river's name originates from the Spanish word for "purgatory," reflecting the harsh and rugged terrain it passes through.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Purgatoire River At Trinidad's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Purgatoire River At Trinidad | 40 cfs |
| Purgatoire River Below Trinidad Lake | 38 cfs |
| Purgatoire River At Madrid | 2 cfs |
| Luning Arroyo Near Model | 0 cfs |
| Van Bremer Arroyo Near Model | 0 cfs |
| Cucharas River At Boyd Ranch | 3 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Purgatoire River At Trinidad. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Trinidad 0.7 N | 0 in |
| Aguilar 7.2 Wsw | 0 in |
| Apishapa Rvr | 1 in |
| Apishapa | 1 in |
| Apishapa | — |
| Whiskey Ck | 0 in |
River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Purgatoire River At Trinidad in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Purgatoire River At Trinidad crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Purgatoire River At Trinidad
Where does the streamflow data for Purgatoire River At Trinidad come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 07124500. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Purgatoire River At Trinidad rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Purgatoire River At Trinidad report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
- Flow alerts — get pinged the moment this river hits your range
- Save favorites — every river, lake & snowpack in one place
- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app