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 Calumet River
was last observed at
456
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
904
acre-ft of water today; about 125%
of normal.
River levels are high.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
365 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2024-04-02 when daily discharge volume was observed at
2,206 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Little Calumet River At South Holland
reporting a streamflow rate of 338 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Little Calumet River, with a gauge stage of
8.14 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Little Calumet River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 617 ft, the
Little Calumet River At Porter.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-19 |
| Discharge Volume | 904 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
456.0 cfs
+357.3 cfs (+362.01%) |
| Percent of Normal | 124.83% |
| Maximum |
2,206.0 cfs
2024-04-02 |
| Seasonal Avg | cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Little Calumet River At Porter
USGS 04094000 |
118 cfs | 4.47 ft | 143.8 | |||||
|
Little Calumet River At South Holland
USGS 05536290 |
338 cfs | 8.14 ft | 571.97 | |||||
|
Little Calumet River At Munster
USGS 05536195 |
40 cfs | 6.14 ft | 179.17 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The river was originally used by Native Americans for transportation and fishing, and later by European settlers for logging and transportation. The river's hydrology has been altered by the construction of several reservoirs and dams, including the Thorn Creek Dam and the Oakwood Dunes Dam. These dams were built to control flooding and provide a source of drinking water for nearby communities. The Little Calumet River also has several recreational uses, including fishing, boating, and hiking, and is home to several species of fish and wildlife. The river is also used for agricultural purposes, including the irrigation of crops and grazing of livestock.