Total streamflow across the
Roaring Fork River
was last observed at
783
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
1,552
acre-ft of water today; about 116%
of normal.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
674 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2011-07-01 when daily discharge volume was observed at
15,517 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Roaring Fork River At Glenwood Springs
reporting a streamflow rate of 454 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Roaring Fork River Near Emma
with a gauge stage of 5.07 ft.
This river is monitored from 5 different streamgauging stations along the Roaring Fork River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 10,528 ft, the
Roaring Fork River Ab Lost Man C.
The Roaring Fork River is a tributary of the Colorado River that flows through central Colorado. The river is approximately 70 miles long and begins at Independence Pass, a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains. The Roaring Fork River is known for its whitewater rafting and fly fishing opportunities. The river's hydrology is influenced by the melting snowpack from the surrounding mountains, and its flow can vary greatly depending on the season. The river is also used for agricultural purposes, with irrigation ditches diverting water for farming in the surrounding valleys. Several reservoirs and dams have been built along the river, including Ruedi Reservoir and the Grizzly Reservoir Dam. These structures help control the river's flow and provide water for downstream communities. Despite human intervention, the Roaring Fork River remains a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and a vital resource for the surrounding communities.
Last Updated | 2024-12-21 |
Discharge Volume | 1,552 ACRE-FT |
Streamflow |
782.6 cfs
-11.0 cfs (-1.39%) |
Percent of Normal | 116.1% |
Maximum |
15,516.7 cfs
2011-07-01 |
Seasonal Avg | 674 cfs |
Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roaring Fork River Ab Lost Man C
USGS 09072550 |
0 cfs | 1.44 ft | None | |||||
Roaring Fork River Ab Difficult C Nr Aspen
USGS 09073300 |
8 cfs | 0.96 ft | -26.82 | |||||
Roaring Fork River Near Aspen
USGS 09073400 |
18 cfs | 0.6 ft | 0 | |||||
Roaring Fork River Near Emma
USGS 09081000 |
311 cfs | 5.07 ft | 0 | |||||
Roaring Fork River At Glenwood Springs
USGS 09085000 |
454 cfs | 1.67 ft | -2.37 |
Roaring Fork River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 70 miles (110 km) long, in west central Colorado in the United States. The river drains a populated and economically vital area of the Colorado Western Slope called the Roaring Fork Valley or Roaring Fork Watershed, which includes the resort city of Aspen and the resorts of Aspen/Snowmass.
It rises in the Sawatch Range in eastern Pitkin County, on the west side of Independence Pass on the continental divide. It flows northwest past Aspen, Woody Creek, and Snowmass. It receives the Fryingpan River at Basalt. 1.5 miles (2 km) below Carbondale, it receives the Crystal River from the south. It joins the Colorado in Glenwood Springs. The entire area that drains into the Roaring Fork River is known as the Roaring Fork Watershed. This area is 1,451 square miles (3,760 km2) and about the same size as the state of Rhode Island. The river flows through canyons along most of its route and is a popular destination for recreation whitewater rafting. The river supplies water through the Sawatch Range to the Twin Lakes Reservoir via the Twin Lakes Tunnel. Roaring Fork Conservancy is the watershed conservation organization for the Roaring Fork River and its tributaries.
The Roaring Fork is a swift, deep, powerful river with very clear water. It is navigable by small craft throughout most of its length to its confluence with the Colorado. The mean annual flow is 1,206 cu ft/s (34.2 m3/s).