Arkansas River At Portland flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Arkansas River At Portland is flowing at 131 cfs with a gage height of 0.82 ft, rising 16% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #07097000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Arkansas River At Portland at a glance
How Arkansas River At Portland is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Arkansas River At Portland is flowing at 131 cfs, with the water sitting 0.82 ft at the gage. Flow is up 16% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #07097000 in Colorado. Over the past 10 days the average has been 106 cfs, peaking at 131 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Arkansas River At Portland is expected to rise from today's 131 cfs, toward roughly 159 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 91-279 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.
Arkansas River At Portland
The river is primarily fed by snowmelt and precipitation from the surrounding mountains, and its flow is regulated by several dams, including the Pueblo Dam downstream. During the summer months, flow typically decreases due to lower precipitation and increased water usage for agriculture. Interestingly, the Arkansas River is known for its whitewater rafting opportunities, with the Royal Gorge being a popular destination. Additionally, the river is significant in the history of the American West, as it was a major trade route and used by pioneers and explorers.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Arkansas River At Portland's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Arkansas River At Portland | 131 cfs |
| Beaver Creek Above Highway 115 Near Penrose | 0 cfs |
| Turkey Creek Nr Stone City | 0 cfs |
| Teller Reservoir Spillway Near Stone City | 0 cfs |
| Turkey Creek Ab Teller Res Near Stone City | 0 cfs |
| Beaver Cr Abv Upper Beaver Cemetery Nr Penrose | 5 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Arkansas River At Portland. 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 |
|---|---|
| Pueblo West 6.0 W | 0 in |
| Canon City | 0 in |
| Pueblo West 3.8 Wsw | 0 in |
| Pueblo West 4.9 Sw | 5 in |
| Cripple Creek | 36 in |
| Guffey 9se | 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 Portland 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 Portland crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Arkansas River At Portland
Where does the streamflow data for Arkansas River At Portland come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 07097000. 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 Portland 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 Portland report
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