Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam flow report
As of July 15, 2026, Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam is flowing at 881 cfs with a gage height of 4.27 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #08361000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam at a glance
How Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam is flowing at 881 cfs, with the water sitting 4.27 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #08361000 in New Mexico. Over the past 10 days the average has been 993 cfs, peaking at 1,290 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, Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam is expected to recede from today's 843 cfs, toward roughly 733 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 444-1208 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.
Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam
The main constituents of the river are snowmelt and rainwater. The river is also fed by several tributaries, including the Pecos and the Canadian River. The water flow is affected by seasonal trends, with the highest flows occurring in the spring and the lowest flows in the fall. The Elephant Butte Dam is a major dam that controls the water levels in the river. Interesting facts about the hydrology of the Rio Grande include its importance in supporting wildlife, agriculture and human settlements along its banks.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam | 881 cfs |
| Rio Grande At Narrows In Elephant Butte Res. | 0 cfs |
| Rio Grande Floodway At San Marcial | 0 cfs |
| Rio Grande Conveyance Channel At San Marcial | 11 cfs |
| Salt Creek Near Tularosa | 0 cfs |
| Mimbres River At Mimbres | 1,040 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam. 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 |
|---|---|
| Lookout Mountain | 0 in |
| Mcknight Cabin | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Mcknight Cabin | 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 Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam
Where does the streamflow data for Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 08361000. 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 Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam 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 Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam report
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