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 The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.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
Spoon River
was last observed at
192
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
381
acre-ft of water today; about 19%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
1,026 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2013-05-31 when daily discharge volume was observed at
40,400 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Spoon River At Seville
reporting a streamflow rate of 143 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Spoon River, with a gauge stage of
5.1 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Spoon River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 557 ft, the
Spoon River At London Mills.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-15 |
| Discharge Volume | 381 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
192.3 cfs
+78.5 cfs (+68.98%) |
| Percent of Normal | 18.74% |
| Maximum |
40,400.0 cfs
2013-05-31 |
| Seasonal Avg | cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Spoon River At London Mills
USGS 05569500 |
86 cfs | 2.08 ft | 68.88 | |||||
|
Spoon River At Seville
USGS 05570000 |
143 cfs | 5.1 ft | -2.05 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
Historically, the river played a significant role in transportation and commerce in the region, and the towns along its banks grew with the rise of the agricultural industry. The river is fed by several tributaries and is dammed in several places to form reservoirs, including the Canton Lake and the Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area. These reservoirs serve as water sources and offer recreational opportunities like boating and fishing. However, the river faces challenges from pollution and agricultural runoff, which threaten the health of its ecosystem. The Spoon River has been immortalized in literature by Edgar Lee Masters in his book "Spoon River Anthology" which depicts the lives of the people buried in the cemetery in the fictional town of Spoon River.