Dolores River Near Gateway flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Dolores River Near Gateway is flowing at 9 cfs with a gage height of 5.47 ft. Source: USGS gauge #09179450, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Dolores River Near Gateway at a glance
How Dolores River Near Gateway is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Dolores River Near Gateway is flowing at 9 cfs, with the water sitting 5.47 ft at the gage.
This is USGS gauge #09179450 in Colorado. Over the past 10 days the average has been 13 cfs, peaking at 20 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Dolores River Near Gateway is expected to hold near today's 9 cfs, toward roughly 9 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 2-37 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.
Dolores River Near Gateway
The river's flow is influenced by snowmelt, precipitation, and human water use, including irrigation and dam releases. The McPhee Dam, located upstream, can affect the river's flow and temperature. In the spring and early summer, the river typically experiences high flow due to snowmelt, while in the fall and winter, flow can be very low. The Dolores River is known for its scenic beauty and popular recreational activities such as rafting, kayaking, and fishing. Despite its importance, the river faces challenges such as drought, climate change, and water management issues.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Dolores River Near Gateway's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Dolores River Near Gateway | 9 cfs |
| Dolores River Near Cisco | 8 cfs |
| Colorado River Near Cisco | 1,790 cfs |
| Dolores River Near Bedrock | 1 cfs |
| Dolores River At Bedrock | 2 cfs |
| San Miguel River At Uravan | 3 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Dolores River Near Gateway. 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 |
|---|---|
| Glade Park | 0 in |
| Lasal Mountain | 0 in |
| Lasal Mountain | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Gold Basin | 0 in |
| Lasal Mountain-Lower | 0 in |
| Lasal Mountain-Lower | 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 Dolores River Near Gateway in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Dolores River Near Gateway crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Dolores River Near Gateway
Where does the streamflow data for Dolores River Near Gateway come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 09179450. 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 Dolores River Near Gateway 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 Dolores River Near Gateway report
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