2025-12-20T00:00:00-07:00
...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR IN AND IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE FOOTHILLS, BETWEEN 5500 AND 9000 FEET, FOR BOULDER AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES ON FRIDAY... Strong west winds, sustained 45-55 mph with gusts upwards of 85- 105 mph, are expected in the foothills of Larimer, Boulder and Jefferson Counties beginning early Friday morning. Relative humidity values are expected to drop into the low teens, possibly upper single digits. While Red Flag conditions, critical fire weather, are expected across a larger area in northern Colorado, the most extreme conditions are expected to be along Highway 93 from Jefferson County into Boulder County and along US-36 north of Boulder to the Larimer County line and westward. There will be a high potential for fast moving wildfires, should any new starts occur. Winds toward I-25 and eastward will be slower to develop, and also speeds will be considerably lighter. That said, gusts of 25- 40 mph are still expected to combine with very low humidity and cured grasses to support critical fire weather conditions. Such conditions may be a longer duration than usual, with potential for low humidity to extend well into the evening hours. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 238, 240, 241, 242 and 243. * TIMING...From 10 AM this morning to midnight MST tonight. * WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible west of I-25, and gusts to 40 mph possible along and east of I- 25. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 12 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.
Summary
Total streamflow across the
Blackstone River
was last observed at
802
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
1,591
acre-ft of water today; about 19%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
4,306 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2023-12-19 when daily discharge volume was observed at
29,630 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Blackstone River At Northbridge
reporting a streamflow rate of 1,240 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Blackstone River, with a gauge stage of
3.5 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Blackstone River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 260 ft, the
Blackstone River At Northbridge.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-19 |
| Discharge Volume | 1,591 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
802.0 cfs
-22.0 cfs (-2.67%) |
| Percent of Normal | 18.63% |
| Maximum |
29,630.0 cfs
2023-12-19 |
| Seasonal Avg | 4,306 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Blackstone River At Northbridge
USGS 01110500 |
1240 cfs | 3.5 ft | 12.73 | |||||
|
Blackstone River At Woonsocket
USGS 01112500 |
390 cfs | 1.75 ft | 0 | |||||
|
Blackstone R At Roosevelt St At Pawtucket Ri
USGS 01113895 |
412 cfs | 1.07 ft | -5.07 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The Blackstone River is a river in the U.S. states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It flows approximately 48 mi (80 km) and drains a watershed of approximately 540 sq. mi (1,400 km²). Its long history of industrial use has left a legacy of pollution, and it was characterized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 1990 as "the most polluted river in the country with respect to toxic sediments."