Animas River At Silverton flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Animas River At Silverton is flowing at 38 cfs with a gage height of 0.08 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #09358000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Animas River At Silverton at a glance
How Animas River At Silverton is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Animas River At Silverton is flowing at 38 cfs, with the water sitting 0.08 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #09358000 in Colorado. Over the past 10 days the average has been 46 cfs, peaking at 54 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Animas River At Silverton is expected to hold near today's 39 cfs, toward roughly 41 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 18-92 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.
Animas River At Silverton
The river is fed by several tributaries and regulated by various dams, including the McPhee Dam downstream. Seasonal trends in flow are influenced by snowmelt and precipitation, with higher flows in the spring and summer months. The Animas River is known for its historical significance in the mining industry and its vibrant aquatic life, including the rare Colorado pikeminnow. However, the river has also experienced pollution from mining and other human activities, leading to concerns about water quality and environmental impacts.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Animas River At Silverton's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Animas River At Silverton | 38 cfs |
| Cement Creek At Silverton | 15 cfs |
| Mineral Creek At Silverton | 31 cfs |
| Animas River Below Silverton | 108 cfs |
| Animas River At Howardsville | 32 cfs |
| South Fork San Miguel River Near Ophir | 31 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Animas River At Silverton. 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 |
|---|---|
| Silverton 0.3 Wsw | 0 in |
| Molas Lake | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Mineral Creek | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Molas Lake | — |
| Mineral Creek | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Red Mountain Pass | 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 Animas River At Silverton in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Animas River At Silverton crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Animas River At Silverton
Where does the streamflow data for Animas River At Silverton come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 09358000. 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 Animas River At Silverton 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 Animas River At Silverton 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