North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia flow report
As of July 13, 2026, North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia is flowing at 70 cfs with a gage height of 0.54 ft, rising 216% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #09134100, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia at a glance
How North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia is flowing at 70 cfs, with the water sitting 0.54 ft at the gage. Flow is up 216% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #09134100 in Colorado. Over the past 10 days the average has been 25 cfs, peaking at 70 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia is expected to recede from today's 22 cfs, toward roughly 17 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 4-74 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
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.
North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia
The river's flow is primarily provided by snowmelt and precipitation in the surrounding mountains, with seasonal trends showing peak flows in late spring and early summer. There are several potential tributaries that contribute to the river's flow, including Muddy Creek and Anthracite Creek. One interesting fact about the North Fork Gunnison River is that it was once a popular destination for gold mining in the late 1800s. Today, the river is protected by several conservation measures, including the Paonia Reservoir, which helps regulate flow and provides additional water storage for the area. College students interested in water resources should study the North Fork Gunnison River as it provides an excellent example of how natural systems can be managed to meet human needs while maintaining ecological integrity.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia | 70 cfs |
| Terror Creek At Mouth Near Bowie | 2 cfs |
| Minnesota Creek Near Paonia | 4 cfs |
| Hubbard Creek At Highway 133 At Mouth Nr Bowie | 1 cfs |
| N.F. Gunnison R Blw Leroux Cr | 47 cfs |
| E Fork Terror Cr Blw Cottonwood Stomp Nr Bowie | 0 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia. 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 |
|---|---|
| Hotchkiss 5wnw | 0 in |
| Hotchkiss 4.7 W | 0 in |
| Cedaredge 3e | 0 in |
| Cedaredge 1e | 0 in |
| Cedaredge 1.3 E | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Overland Res. | 1 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 North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia
Where does the streamflow data for North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 09134100. 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 North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia 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 North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia report
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