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
Carmel River
was last observed at
16
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
31
acre-ft of water today; about 48%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
33 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2023-03-11 when daily discharge volume was observed at
6,270 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Carmel R A Robles Del Rio Ca
reporting a streamflow rate of 15.6 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Carmel R Nr Carmel Ca
with a gauge stage of 2.42 ft.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Carmel River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 272 ft, the
Carmel R A Robles Del Rio Ca.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-19 |
| Discharge Volume | 31 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
15.6 cfs
+0.8 cfs (+5.41%) |
| Percent of Normal | 47.71% |
| Maximum |
6,270.0 cfs
2023-03-11 |
| Seasonal Avg | cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Carmel R A Robles Del Rio Ca
USGS 11143200 |
16 cfs | 2.21 ft | 5.41 | |||||
|
Carmel R Nr Carmel Ca
USGS 11143250 |
13 cfs | 2.42 ft | -7.19 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The river has a rich history dating back thousands of years, as it was used by the Esselen and Rumsen tribes for fishing and gathering. The river's hydrology has been significantly altered by the construction of several dams and reservoirs, including the San Clemente and Los Padres Dams. These reservoirs provide water for agricultural and municipal use, and also serve as recreational areas for fishing, boating, and hiking. The Carmel River is a vital resource for the surrounding communities, and efforts have been made to protect and restore its natural flow and ecosystem.