Animas River Below Aztec flow report
As of July 14, 2026, Animas River Below Aztec is flowing at 5 cfs with a gage height of 4.33 ft, receding 6% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #09364010, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Animas River Below Aztec at a glance
How Animas River Below Aztec is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Animas River Below Aztec is flowing at 5 cfs, with the water sitting 4.33 ft at the gage. Flow is down 6% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #09364010 in New Mexico. Over the past 10 days the average has been 21 cfs, peaking at 58 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the New Mexico flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Animas River Below Aztec is expected to rise from today's 5 cfs, toward roughly 8 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 3-22 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.
Animas River Below Aztec
The river's main source is the snowmelt and rainfall from the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado, and it passes through New Mexico before emptying into the San Juan River. The Animas River is affected by seasonal trends, with higher flows occurring in the spring due to snowmelt, and lower flows in the summer and fall. There are several dams and reservoirs on the river, including the Navajo Dam which creates the Navajo Reservoir. In 2015, the Animas River gained national attention when a spill from a nearby abandoned mine released toxic wastewater into the river, causing environmental damage and prompting cleanup efforts.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Animas River Below Aztec's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Animas River Below Aztec | 5 cfs |
| La Plata River At La Plata | 0 cfs |
| Animas River At Farmington | 15 cfs |
| San Juan River At Farmington | 935 cfs |
| La Plata River Near Farmington | 0 cfs |
| La Plata River At Colorado-New Mexico State Line | 2 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Animas River Below Aztec. 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 |
|---|---|
| Ars | 1 in |
| Ignacio 6ese | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Bayfield 5.2 N | 0 in |
| Bayfield 7n | 0 in |
| Bayfield 6.2 N | 0 in |
| Mancos 3.8 Wnw | 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 Animas River Below Aztec in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Animas River Below Aztec crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Animas River Below Aztec
Where does the streamflow data for Animas River Below Aztec come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 09364010. 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 Animas River Below Aztec 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 Animas River Below Aztec report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
- Flow alerts — get pinged the moment this river hits your range
- Save favorites — every river, lake & snowpack in one place
- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app