Total streamflow across the
Huerfano River
was last observed at
97
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
192
acre-ft of water today; about 123%
of normal.
River levels are high.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
79 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2015-10-01 when daily discharge volume was observed at
1,703 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Huerfano River At Badito
reporting a streamflow rate of 60.70 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Huerfano River Near Boone
with a gauge stage of 4.23 ft.
This river is monitored from 4 different streamgauging stations along the Huerfano River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 8,202 ft, the
Huerfano R At Manzanares Xing.
The Huerfano River is a tributary of the Arkansas River, located in south-central Colorado. The river is approximately 70 miles long and has a drainage area of 1,470 square miles. Historically, the river was used by Native American tribes for hunting and fishing. In the early 20th century, the river was dammed to provide irrigation for agriculture. The Huerfano River Watershed Project was established in 1965 to address erosion and water quality issues. Specific reservoirs and dams on the river include Huerfano Lake, Huerfano Valley, and the Huerfano-Cucharas Project. The river supports recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and camping. It is also used for agriculture, providing irrigation for crops such as alfalfa, corn, and wheat.
Last Updated | 2025-01-14 |
Discharge Volume | 192 ACRE-FT |
Streamflow |
96.9 cfs
+11.4 cfs (+13.33%) |
Percent of Normal | 123.15% |
Maximum |
1,703.0 cfs
2015-10-01 |
Seasonal Avg | 79 cfs |
Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Huerfano R At Manzanares Xing
USGS 07111000 |
36 cfs | 3.85 ft | -2.95 | |||||
Huerfano River At Badito
USGS 07112500 |
61 cfs | 2.24 ft | 25.93 | |||||
Huerfano R Bl Huerf Valy Dam Nr Undercliffe
USGS 07116000 |
0 cfs | 0.00 ft | ||||||
Huerfano River Near Boone
USGS 07116500 |
7 cfs | 4.23 ft | 36.76 |
Huerfano River is a 113-mile-long (182 km) tributary of the Arkansas River that flows from a source on Blanca Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Colorado. It joins the Arkansas in Pueblo County just south of the town of Boone. One major tributary is the Cucharas River.
The Huerfano River was named after the nearby Huerfano Butte. Huerfano is derived from a Spanish name meaning "orphan", so named from the butte's remote location.