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
Watauga River
was last observed at
608
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
1,206
acre-ft of water today; about 41%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
1,475 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2020-02-06 when daily discharge volume was observed at
12,870 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Watauga River At Elizabethton
reporting a streamflow rate of 444 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Watauga River, with a gauge stage of
3.12 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Watauga River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 2,613 ft, the
Watauga River Near Sugar Grove.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-19 |
| Discharge Volume | 1,206 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
608.0 cfs
+161.7 cfs (+36.23%) |
| Percent of Normal | 41.21% |
| Maximum |
12,870.0 cfs
2020-02-06 |
| Seasonal Avg | 1,475 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Watauga River Near Sugar Grove
USGS 03479000 |
164 cfs | 2.05 ft | 159.08 | |||||
|
Watauga River At Elizabethton
USGS 03486000 |
444 cfs | 3.12 ft | 15.93 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The Watauga River () is a large stream of western North Carolina and East Tennessee. It is 78.5 miles (126.3 km) long with its headwaters on the slopes of Grandfather Mountain and Peak Mountain in Watauga County, North Carolina.