Navajo River

Total streamflow across the Navajo River was last observed at 170 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 337 acre-ft of water today; about 66% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 256 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 River Bl Oso Diversion Dam Nr Chromo reporting a streamflow rate of 87.10 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Navajo R At Banded Peak Ranch with a gauge stage of 3.02 ft. 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.