Arkansas River At Lamar flow report
As of July 14, 2026, Arkansas River At Lamar is flowing at 10 cfs with a gage height of 5.36 ft. Source: USGS gauge #07133000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Arkansas River At Lamar at a glance
How Arkansas River At Lamar is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Arkansas River At Lamar is flowing at 10 cfs, with the water sitting 5.36 ft at the gage.
This is USGS gauge #07133000 in Colorado. Over the past 10 days the average has been 19 cfs, peaking at 45 cfs.
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
Over the next 5 days, Arkansas River At Lamar is expected to rise from today's 10 cfs, toward roughly 21 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 4-123 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
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.
Arkansas River At Lamar
The river is regulated by several dams, including the John Martin Reservoir Dam upstream, which can affect the flow rate. Seasonally, the river experiences higher flows during spring and early summer due to snowmelt runoff. The river also provides irrigation for agriculture in the area. Interestingly, the Arkansas River was named by early French explorers who thought the native Quapaw tribe they encountered were Arkansawyers. Overall, the Arkansas River at Lamar, CO streamgauge provides important data for monitoring water resources and managing usage in the region.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Arkansas River At Lamar's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Arkansas River At Lamar | 10 cfs |
| Big Sandy Creek Near Lamar | 41 cfs |
| Arkansas River Near Granada | 5 cfs |
| Arkansas River Below John Martin Reservoir | 16 cfs |
| Frontier Ditch Nr Coolidge | 12 cfs |
| Purgatoire River Near Las Animas | 2 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Arkansas River At Lamar. 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 |
|---|---|
| John Martin Dam | 0 in |
| Holly | 0 in |
| Kit Carson | 0 in |
| Cheraw .15 Nne | 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 Arkansas River At Lamar in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Arkansas River At Lamar crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Arkansas River At Lamar
Where does the streamflow data for Arkansas River At Lamar come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 07133000. 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 Arkansas River At Lamar 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 Arkansas River At Lamar report
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