2026-01-26T09:00:00-07:00
* WHAT...Very cold wind chills as low as 23 below. * WHERE...The Denver metro, including eastern Boulder County, and south into the Palmer Divide, including Castle Rock and Larkspur. * WHEN...Until 9 AM MST Monday. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken.
Summary
Total streamflow across the
Little Platte River
was last observed at
12
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
25
acre-ft of water today; about 100%
of normal.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
12 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2025-06-04 when daily discharge volume was observed at
1,960 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Little Platte River At Smithville
reporting a streamflow rate of 12.1 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Little Platte River, with a gauge stage of
12.19 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Little Platte River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 921 ft, the
Little Platte River Near Plattsburg.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2026-01-25 |
| Discharge Volume | 25 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
12.4 cfs
+0.24 cfs (+1.97%) |
| Percent of Normal | 100.0% |
| Maximum |
1,960.0 cfs
2025-06-04 |
| Seasonal Avg | cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Little Platte River Near Plattsburg
USGS 06821080 |
0 cfs | 7.54 ft | -34.78 | |||||
|
Little Platte River At Smithville
USGS 06821150 |
12 cfs | 12.19 ft | 3.42 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
It flows for approximately 65 miles through Platte County and Clay County. The river has a long history, having been used by Native Americans and early settlers for transportation and agriculture. Today, the Little Platte River is primarily used for irrigation and as a source of drinking water for nearby communities. The Smithville Lake and the Little Platte Park Lake Reservoirs are two major dams located on the river, providing flood control and recreational activities such as fishing and boating. The river also supports a variety of wildlife, including several species of fish, birds, and mammals.