Blue River Near Dillon flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Blue River Near Dillon is flowing at 47 cfs with a gage height of 4.54 ft. Source: USGS gauge #09046600, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Blue River Near Dillon at a glance
How Blue River Near Dillon is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Blue River Near Dillon is flowing at 47 cfs, with the water sitting 4.54 ft at the gage.
This is USGS gauge #09046600 in Colorado. Over the past 10 days the average has been 50 cfs, peaking at 52 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Blue River Near Dillon is expected to hold near today's 47 cfs, toward roughly 51 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 26-103 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.
Blue River Near Dillon
The river is primarily fed by snowmelt and rainfall, with additional contributions from Dillon Reservoir. The river has several tributaries, including Tenmile Creek and Snake River, and is regulated by several dams, including the Dillon Dam. The river experiences seasonal flow variations, with the highest flows occurring in the spring and early summer due to snowmelt. The river is known for its trout fishing opportunities and is a popular recreational destination. Interestingly, the river was named for its blue color, which is caused by the reflection of the sky and trees in its waters.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Blue River Near Dillon's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Blue River Near Dillon | 47 cfs |
| Tenmile Creek Bl North Tenmile C | 28 cfs |
| Blue River Below Dillon | 54 cfs |
| Keystone Gulch Near Dillon | 2 cfs |
| Straight Cr Blw Laskey Gulch Nr Dillon | 6 cfs |
| Snake River Near Montezuma | 24 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Blue River Near Dillon. 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 |
|---|---|
| Frisco 0.5 N | 0 in |
| Dillon 2.3 Se | 0 in |
| Dillon | 0 in |
| Silverthorne 2.1 Wsw | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Silverthorne 1.0 Nne | 3 in |
| Copper Mountain | 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 Blue River Near Dillon in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Blue River Near Dillon crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Blue River Near Dillon
Where does the streamflow data for Blue River Near Dillon come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 09046600. 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 Blue River Near Dillon 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 Blue River Near Dillon report
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