Navajo River River Levels

Total streamflow across the Navajo River was last observed at 51 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 100 acre-ft of water today; about 82% of normal. Average streamflow for this time of year is 62 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2020-07-27 when daily discharge volume was observed at 1,923 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Navajo R At Banded Peak Ranch reporting a streamflow rate of 43.70 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Navajo River, with a gauge stage of 2.81 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Navajo River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 7,952 ft, the Navajo R At Banded Peak Ranch.

The river runs approximately 100 miles through southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Historically, the Navajo people utilized the river as a source of water for crops and livestock. Today, the river is primarily used for recreation, including fishing and camping. The river is dammed in several places, including the Navajo Dam, which was built in the 1960s for flood control and hydropower generation. The reservoir created by the dam, Navajo Lake, is a popular spot for boating and fishing. The river's hydrology is influenced by snowmelt, rainfall, and irrigation runoff, and it provides water for agricultural use in the region.