Total streamflow across the
South Platte River
was last observed at
939
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
1,863
acre-ft of water today; about 27%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
3,446 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2015-06-16 when daily discharge volume was observed at
90,736 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
South Platte River Near Kersey
reporting a streamflow rate of 757.00 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
South Platte River Below Union Ave
with a gauge stage of 11.05 ft.
This river is monitored from 17 different streamgauging stations along the South Platte River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 8,457 ft, the
South Platte River Near Lake George.
The South Platte River is a tributary of the Platte River and flows through Colorado and Nebraska. It is 435 miles long and has a rich history of being used for transportation, irrigation, and recreation. The river originates in the Rocky Mountains and runs through several reservoirs and dams, including Eleven Mile Canyon Reservoir and Chatfield Reservoir. These reservoirs are used for irrigation, hydroelectric power, and flood control. The South Platte River also provides recreational opportunities such as fishing, kayaking, and camping. In addition to its recreational uses, the river is an important source of water for agriculture, including crops such as corn, wheat, and alfalfa. Despite its many uses, the South Platte River faces threats of pollution and overuse, highlighting the importance of responsible management and conservation efforts.
Last Updated | 2024-12-21 |
Discharge Volume | 1,863 ACRE-FT |
Streamflow |
939.3 cfs
-2361.7 cfs (-71.54%) |
Percent of Normal | 27.26% |
Maximum |
90,736.0 cfs
2015-06-16 |
Seasonal Avg | 3,446 cfs |
Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Platte River Near Lake George
USGS 06696000 |
142 cfs | 1.25 ft | -1.41 | |||||
South Platte River Above Cheesman Lake
USGS 06700000 |
118 cfs | 5.06 ft | 1.72 | |||||
South Platte River Below Cheesman Lake
USGS 06701500 |
147 cfs | 1.16 ft | 0 | |||||
South Platte River At South Platte
USGS 06707500 |
292 cfs | 2.60 ft | -0.97 | |||||
South Platte River At Waterton
USGS 06708000 |
26 cfs | 0.61 ft | 0 | |||||
South Platte River Below Union Ave
USGS 06710247 |
46 cfs | 11.05 ft | -12.36 | |||||
South Platte River At Englewood
USGS 06711565 |
72 cfs | 1.48 ft | 3.74 | |||||
South Platte River At Denver
USGS 06714000 |
161 cfs | 3.03 ft | 5.52 | |||||
South Platte River At Henderson
USGS 06720500 |
288 cfs | 3.65 ft | 6.69 | |||||
South Platte River At Fort Lupton
USGS 06721000 |
316 cfs | 3.46 ft | -4.53 | |||||
South Platte River Near Kersey
USGS 06754000 |
757 cfs | 3.16 ft | 0.66 | |||||
South Platte River At Masters
USGS 06756995 |
229 cfs | 2.49 ft | -3.09 | |||||
South Platte River Near Weldona
USGS 06758500 |
397 cfs | 2.40 ft | 2.93 | |||||
South Platte River At Fort Morgan
USGS 06759500 |
402 cfs | 9.7 ft | 0 | |||||
South Platte River At Cooper Bridge
USGS 06759910 |
13 cfs | 1.43 ft | 0 | |||||
South Platte River Near Crook
USGS 06760500 |
155 cfs | 2.63 ft | 4.26 | |||||
South Platte River At Roscoe Nebr
USGS 06764880 |
103 cfs | 2.9 ft | -4.63 |
The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River. Flowing through the U.S. states of Colorado and Nebraska, it is itself a major river of the American Midwest and the American Southwest/Mountain West. Its drainage basin includes much of the eastern flank of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado; much of the populated region known as the Colorado Front Range and Eastern Plains; and a portion of southeastern Wyoming in the vicinity of the city of Cheyenne. It joins the North Platte River in western Nebraska to form the Platte, which then flows across Nebraska to the Missouri. The river serves as the principal source of water for eastern Colorado. In its valley along the foothills in Colorado, it has permitted agriculture in an area of the Colorado Piedmont and Great Plains that is otherwise arid.