Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the reporting a streamflow rate of cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Cucharas River, with a gauge stage of ft at this location. This river is monitored from 1 different streamgauging stations along the Cucharas River, the highest being situated at an altitude of ft, the .

The Cucharas River is a 75-mile-long tributary of the Arkansas River in southern Colorado. It flows through the Cucharas Valley, an area inhabited by Native American tribes for centuries before the arrival of Europeans. The river was used for irrigation by early settlers, and several dams were built along its course in the 20th century to provide water for agriculture and municipal use. The largest of these dams is the Trinidad Dam, which creates the Trinidad Lake Reservoir. The Cucharas River also has recreational uses, including fishing and kayaking, and is home to several species of fish, including trout and bass. Despite its importance to the area's economy and ecology, the river faces threats from drought, pollution, and development pressure.