2025-12-20T00:00:00-07:00
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FRIDAY... Critical fire weather conditions over the northeast plains will gradually ease into this evening. Strong winds will redevelop in the foothills overnight, with high winds spreading slowly east across the nearby adjacent plains west of I-25 through the afternoon. Extremely high wind gusts of 85-100 mph combined with humidities dropping into the 10-20 percent range will create 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. Areas farther east into eastern Adams, Arapahoe, Elbert, and Lincoln counties have more uncertainty if those winds even develop, so those locations remain under a Fire Weather Watch. Such conditions may be a longer duration than usual, with potential for low humidity to extend well into the evening hours. The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 10 AM Friday to midnight MST Friday night. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 238, 239, 240, 241 and 243. * TIMING...From 10 AM Friday to midnight MST Friday night. * WINDS...West 20 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph or more immediately next to the foothills. Gusts closer to 40 mph along and east of I-25. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a fast moving wildfire.
Summary
Total streamflow across the
Nacimiento River
was last observed at
68
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
135
acre-ft of water today; about 104%
of normal.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
66 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2023-03-11 when daily discharge volume was observed at
14,150 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Nacimiento R Bl Nacimiento Dam Nr Bradley Ca
reporting a streamflow rate of 64.8 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Nacimiento R Bl Sapaque C Nr Bryson Ca
with a gauge stage of 7.89 ft.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Nacimiento River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 819 ft, the
Nacimiento R Bl Sapaque C Nr Bryson Ca.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-18 |
| Discharge Volume | 135 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
68.09 cfs
+1.67 cfs (+2.51%) |
| Percent of Normal | 103.66% |
| Maximum |
14,150.0 cfs
2023-03-11 |
| Seasonal Avg | cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nacimiento R Bl Sapaque C Nr Bryson Ca
USGS 11148900 |
3 cfs | 7.89 ft | 8.94 | |||||
|
Nacimiento R Bl Nacimiento Dam Nr Bradley Ca
USGS 11149400 |
65 cfs | 2.49 ft | 2.21 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The river has played an important role in the history of the area, serving as a water source for the Salinan and Chumash tribes. Today, the Nacimiento River is used for recreational and agricultural purposes. The river is impounded by two major reservoirs, Lake Nacimiento and Lake San Antonio, which provide water for irrigation, drinking, and power generation. The Nacimiento River watershed is also home to several smaller dams and reservoirs, including the Nacimiento Dam and the San Antonio Dam. Recreational activities on the river include boating, fishing, and camping, while agriculture in the area primarily consists of vineyards, orchards, and crop farming. The river's hydrology is affected by droughts and seasonal rainfall patterns.