ANIMAS RIVER

December 3, 2024

TOTAL DISCHARGE (CFS)

Total streamflow across the Animas River was last observed at 1,364 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 2,706 acre-ft of water today; about 130% of normal. River levels are high. Average streamflow for this time of year is 1,051 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2019-06-10 when daily discharge volume was observed at 40,738 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Animas River Below Aztec reporting a streamflow rate of 292 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Animas River, with a gauge stage of 5.91 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 9 different streamgauging stations along the Animas River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 9,629 ft, the Animas River At Howardsville.

The Animas River is a tributary of the San Juan River, located in Colorado and New Mexico in the United States. The river stretches for approximately 126 miles, with a drainage area of around 3,100 square miles. Historically, the river was used for mining and transportation purposes. Today, the Animas River is primarily used for recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and river rafting. However, the river has also been subject to contamination due to mining and agricultural runoff. Specific reservoirs and dams along the Animas River include the McPhee Reservoir and the Animas-La Plata project. These dams serve purposes such as irrigation and flood control. Despite the challenges facing the Animas River, efforts are being made to protect and restore this vital natural resource.

Last Updated 2024-12-03
Discharge Volume 2,706 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 1,364.4 cfs
-72.5 cfs (-5.05%)
Percent of Normal 129.84%
Maximum 40,738.0 cfs
2019-06-10
Seasonal Avg 1,051 cfs

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Animas River At Howardsville
USGS 09357500
23 cfs 0.73 ft -3.7
Animas River At Silverton
USGS 09358000
38 cfs 0.57 ft -8.54
Animas River Below Silverton
USGS 09359020
98 cfs 3.14 ft -14.39
Animas River Above Tacoma
USGS 09359500
160 cfs 3.04 ft -8.05
Animas River At Durango
USGS 09361500
236 cfs 2.4 ft 0
Animas River Blw Durango Pump Plant Nr Durango
USGS 09362520
262 cfs 3.29 ft 0
Animas River Near Cedar Hill
USGS 09363500
284 cfs 4.41 ft 4.03
Animas River Below Aztec
USGS 09364010
292 cfs 5.91 ft 0
Animas River At Farmington
USGS 09364500
267 cfs 4.64 ft 5.95
History of the River

Animas River (On-e-mas) (Río de las Ánimas, in Spanish) is a 126-mile-long (203 km) river in the western United States, a tributary of the San Juan River, part of the Colorado River System.
The Animas-La Plata Water Project was completed in 2015. The project pumps water over a low pass to fill a reservoir, Lake Nighthorse, in Ridges Basin to satisfy Southern Ute tribal water rights claims associated with the Colorado Ute Settlement Act amendments of 2000.

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