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
Little Cahaba River
was last observed at
15
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
29
acre-ft of water today; about 32%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
46 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2025-04-07 when daily discharge volume was observed at
1,929 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Little Cahaba River Below Leeds
reporting a streamflow rate of 14.6 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Little Cahaba River, with a gauge stage of
1.26 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Little Cahaba River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 616 ft, the
Little Cahaba River Below Leeds.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-19 |
| Discharge Volume | 29 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
14.6 cfs
-100.5 cfs (-87.32%) |
| Percent of Normal | 31.77% |
| Maximum |
1,929.0 cfs
2025-04-07 |
| Seasonal Avg | cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Little Cahaba River Below Leeds
USGS 02423397 |
15 cfs | 1.26 ft | 10.61 | |||||
|
Little Cahaba River Nr Jefferson Park
USGS 02423400 |
14 cfs | 0.26 ft | -9.8 | |||||
|
Little Cahaba River At Cah Bea Rd Nr Cahaba Hts Al
USGS 02423414 |
9 cfs | 0.55 ft | -90.07 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
It flows for 70 miles through Jefferson, Shelby, Bibb, and Hale counties. The river has a rich history and was once used for transportation, trade, and energy production. Today, the river is primarily used for recreational purposes such as fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. The Little Cahaba River watershed is home to several reservoirs and dams, including the Cahaba Lakes, Lake Purdy, and the Lake Purdy Dam, which provide drinking water to Birmingham and the surrounding areas. Agriculture, specifically cattle farming and timber harvesting, is another significant use of the land surrounding the river. The Little Cahaba River is a vital component of the Cahaba River system and a valuable resource for the people of central Alabama.