Little Colorado River River Levels

Total streamflow across the Little Colorado River was last observed at 337 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 669 acre-ft of water today; about 30% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 1,126 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2023-03-24 when daily discharge volume was observed at 18,255 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Little Colorado River Near Joseph City reporting a streamflow rate of 2,700 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Little Colorado River Near Winslow with a gauge stage of 11.04 ft. This river is monitored from 8 different streamgauging stations along the Little Colorado River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 8,296 ft, the Little Colorado River At Greer.

Its length is approximately 338 miles and it has a drainage area of 22,500 square miles. The river was historically used by Native American tribes for irrigation and as a source of water. Today, it is utilized for recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping. The river's hydrology has been impacted by the construction of several reservoirs and dams, including the Glen Canyon Dam which created Lake Powell. These structures have had both positive and negative effects on the river's ecology and surrounding communities. The Little Colorado River is also used for agricultural purposes, with some farmers utilizing its water for irrigation.