2025-12-20T00:00:00-07:00
...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR IN AND IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE FOOTHILLS, BETWEEN 5500 AND 9000 FEET, FOR BOULDER AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES ON FRIDAY... Strong west winds, sustained 45-55 mph with gusts upwards of 85- 105 mph, are expected in the foothills of Larimer, Boulder and Jefferson Counties beginning early Friday morning. Relative humidity values are expected to drop into the low teens, possibly upper single digits. While Red Flag conditions, critical fire weather, are expected across a larger area in northern Colorado, the most extreme conditions are expected to be along Highway 93 from Jefferson County into Boulder County and along US-36 north of Boulder to the Larimer County line and westward. There will be a high 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. Such conditions may be a longer duration than usual, with potential for low humidity to extend well into the evening hours. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 238, 240, 241, 242 and 243. * TIMING...From 10 AM this morning to midnight MST tonight. * WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible west of I-25, and gusts to 40 mph possible along and east of I- 25. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 12 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.
Summary
Total streamflow across the
Ware River
was last observed at
144
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
286
acre-ft of water today; about 13%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
1,110 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2019-01-25 when daily discharge volume was observed at
4,728 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Ware River At Gibbs Crossing
reporting a streamflow rate of 89.9 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Ware River At Intake Works Near Barre
with a gauge stage of 3.41 ft.
This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Ware River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 738 ft, the
Ware River Near Barre.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-19 |
| Discharge Volume | 286 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
144.2 cfs
+3.7 cfs (+2.63%) |
| Percent of Normal | 12.99% |
| Maximum |
4,727.5 cfs
2019-01-25 |
| Seasonal Avg | 1,110 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ware River Near Barre
USGS 01172500 |
21 cfs | 2.7 ft | 0 | |||||
|
Ware River At Intake Works Near Barre
USGS 01173000 |
34 cfs | 3.41 ft | -2.03 | |||||
|
Ware River At Gibbs Crossing
USGS 01173500 |
90 cfs | 2.2 ft | 5.15 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The Ware River is a 35.4-mile-long (57.0 km) river in central Massachusetts. It has two forks, the longer of which (the east branch) begins near Hubbardston, Massachusetts. The Ware River flows southwest through the middle of the state, joins the Quaboag River at Three Rivers, Massachusetts, to form the Chicopee River on its way to the Connecticut River.
The Brigham Pond Dam, forming a pond of the same name, first impounds the East Branch of the Ware River in Westminster. The area north of Hubbardston feeds tributaries of the Ware and Millers rivers, the Millers River running generally west, and the Ware River running generally southwest. The Ware River is part of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority drinking water system serving the greater Boston area.