Fire Weather Watch
2025-12-20T00:00:00-07:00

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY... Strong northwest winds will spread across the northeast plains after sunrise today, with gusts 45 to 65 mph creating critical fire weather conditions despite somewhat marginal humidity values near 20%. Early Friday, westerly downslope winds will bring strong gusts to the Front Range mountains and foothills, with potential for these to spread into wind-favored portions of the adjacent lower elevations. Peak gusts of 70-90 mph are increasing in likelihood for the windiest locations (considerably lower for areas along and east of I-25). With a warmer and drier air mass in place, humidity values in the teens look to extend into much of the foothills, and certainly across the lower elevations. Such conditions may be a longer duration than usual, with potential for low humidity to extend into the evening hours prior to the arrival of a front. The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Friday morning through Friday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 215, 216, 241, 243, 245, 246 and 247. * TIMING...From Friday morning through late Friday evening. * WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 80 mph in and near the foothills. West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph for areas roughly along and east of I-25. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 to 15%. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.


Verde River River Levels

Last Updated: December 18, 2025

The Verde River is a tributary of the Salt River in the US state of Arizona.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Verde River was last observed at 1,641 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 3,255 acre-ft of water today; about 124% of normal. River levels are high. Average streamflow for this time of year is 1,320 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2023-03-23 when daily discharge volume was observed at 197,750 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Verde River Blw Bartlett Dam reporting a streamflow rate of 580 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Verde R Blw Tangle Creek with a gauge stage of 7.4 ft. This river is monitored from 6 different streamgauging stations along the Verde River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 4,116 ft, the Verde River Near Paulden.

River Details

Last Updated 2025-12-18
Discharge Volume 3,255 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 1,640.9 cfs
+136.3 cfs (+9.06%)
Percent of Normal 124.34%
Maximum 197,750.0 cfs
2023-03-23
Seasonal Avg 1,320 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Verde River Near Paulden
USGS 09503700
20 cfs 2.77 ft 1.54
Verde River Near Clarkdale
USGS 09504000
69 cfs 1.76 ft 0
Verde River Near Camp Verde
USGS 09506000
202 cfs 4.52 ft -0.98
Verde R Blw Tangle Creek
USGS 09508500
314 cfs 7.4 ft 6.8
Verde River Blw Bartlett Dam
USGS 09510000
580 cfs 3.6 ft 9.02
Verde River Near Scottsdale
USGS 09511300
456 cfs 2.1 ft 18.13
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Verde River (Yavapai: Haka'he:la) is a major tributary of the Salt River in the U.S. state of Arizona. It is about 170 miles (270 km) long and carries a mean flow of 602 cubic feet per second (17.0 m3/s) at its mouth. It is one of the largest perennial streams in Arizona.