2025-12-20T00:00:00-07:00
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY... Strong northwest winds will spread across the northeast plains after sunrise today, with gusts 45 to 65 mph creating critical fire weather conditions despite somewhat marginal humidity values near 20%. Early Friday, westerly downslope winds will bring strong gusts to the Front Range mountains and foothills, with potential for these to spread into wind-favored portions of the adjacent lower elevations. Peak gusts of 70-90 mph are increasing in likelihood for the windiest locations (considerably lower for areas along and east of I-25). With a warmer and drier air mass in place, humidity values in the teens look to extend into much of the foothills, and certainly across the lower elevations. Such conditions may be a longer duration than usual, with potential for low humidity to extend into the evening hours prior to the arrival of a front. The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Friday morning through Friday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 215, 216, 241, 243, 245, 246 and 247. * TIMING...From Friday morning through late Friday evening. * WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 80 mph in and near the foothills. West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph for areas roughly along and east of I-25. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 to 15%. * 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
Buffalo River
was last observed at
1,036
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
2,055
acre-ft of water today; about 96%
of normal.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
1,075 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2025-04-06 when daily discharge volume was observed at
143,570 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Buffalo River Below Lobelville
reporting a streamflow rate of 450 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Buffalo River Nr Woodville
with a gauge stage of 3.86 ft.
This river is monitored from 8 different streamgauging stations along the Buffalo River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,131 ft, the
Buffalo River Near Boxley.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-17 |
| Discharge Volume | 2,055 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
1,036.3 cfs
-27.3 cfs (-2.57%) |
| Percent of Normal | 96.42% |
| Maximum |
143,570.0 cfs
2025-04-06 |
| Seasonal Avg | cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Buffalo River Near Boxley
USGS 07055646 |
18 cfs | 1.87 ft | -3.35 | |||||
|
Buffalo River Near Hawley
USGS 05061000 |
24 cfs | 3.49 ft | 2.95 | |||||
|
Buffalo River Near Dilworth
USGS 05062000 |
84 cfs | 3.75 ft | 38.2 | |||||
|
Buffalo River Near St. Joe
USGS 07056000 |
106 cfs | 3.24 ft | -2.68 | |||||
|
Buffalo River Near Flat Woods
USGS 03604000 |
279 cfs | 2.44 ft | -2.79 | |||||
|
Buffalo River Near Harriet
USGS 07056700 |
129 cfs | 3.38 ft | -1.49 | |||||
|
Buffalo River Below Lobelville
USGS 03604400 |
450 cfs | 3.7 ft | -2.37 | |||||
|
Buffalo River Nr Woodville
USGS 07295000 |
45 cfs | 3.86 ft | -5.54 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
It was designated as America's first national river in 1972. The river was once used as a major transportation route for timber and agricultural products in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The hydrology of the river is fed by many springs and tributaries, and it eventually flows into the White River. There are two reservoirs located along the Buffalo River: the Buffalo National River Reservoir and the Bull Shoals Lake Reservoir. The Buffalo National River Reservoir was created by the construction of the Buffalo Point Dam and serves as a popular recreational area for activities such as kayaking, fishing, and camping. The Bull Shoals Lake Reservoir is a much larger reservoir and is primarily used for flood control and electricity generation. The Buffalo River also supports a variety of agriculture, including cattle farming and timber harvesting.