RIO CHAMA BELOW EL VADO DAM, NM
USGS 08285500 · New Mexico · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading RIO CHAMA BELOW EL VADO DAM, NM…
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USGS 08285500 · New Mexico · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
During periods of high water, fish move towards the banks to find calmer water and lower velocitiesPennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Wading and boating should be avoided if waters are running high and muddy and the streambed is not visiblePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
If stream conditions are not favorable, consider fishing at a lakePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 8:30 PM MST · provisional USGS data
Highest for this date on record for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 9:30 PM MDT to Nov 5, 8:30 PM MST; ranging 1,480 to 4,110 ft³/s; latest 2,610 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 8:30 PM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 PM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM MST | 2,590 | 4.99 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM MST | 2,600 | 5 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM MST | 2,630 | 5.02 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM MST | 2,630 | 5.02 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM MST | 2,630 | 5.02 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM MST | 2,630 | 5.02 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM MST | 2,600 | 5 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM MST | 2,630 | 5.02 | 81–203 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM MST | 2,640 | 5.03 | 81–203 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM MST | 2,630 | 5.02 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM MST | 2,630 | 5.02 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM MST | 2,630 | 5.02 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM MST | 2,640 | 5.03 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM MST | 2,630 | 5.02 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM MST | 2,630 | 5.02 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM MST | 2,630 | 5.02 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM MST | 2,590 | 4.99 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM MST | 2,700 | 5.08 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM MST | 3,150 | 5.42 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM MST | 4,020 | 6.03 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM MST | 4,050 | 6.05 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM MST | 4,050 | 6.05 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM MST | 4,030 | 6.04 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM MST | 4,060 | 6.06 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM MST | 4,000 | 6.02 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM MST | 4,060 | 6.06 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM MST | 4,050 | 6.05 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM MST | 4,050 | 6.05 | 81–196 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM MST | 4,060 | 6.06 | 81–196 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM MST | 4,080 | 6.07 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM MST | 4,050 | 6.05 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM MST | 4,090 | 6.08 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM MST | 4,050 | 6.05 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM MST | 4,030 | 6.04 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM MST | 4,060 | 6.06 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM MST | 4,050 | 6.05 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM MST | 4,050 | 6.05 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM MST | 4,050 | 6.05 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM MST | 4,030 | 6.04 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM MST | 4,000 | 6.02 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM MST | 4,110 | 6.09 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 AM MST | 4,020 | 6.03 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM MST | 4,030 | 6.04 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM MST | 4,080 | 6.07 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM MST | 4,050 | 6.05 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM MST | 4,050 | 6.05 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM MST | 4,110 | 6.09 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM MST | 4,080 | 6.07 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM MST | 4,060 | 6.06 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM MST | 4,060 | 6.06 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM MST | 4,050 | 6.05 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM MST | 4,080 | 6.07 | 84–200 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM MST | 4,090 | 6.08 | 84–200 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM MST | 4,050 | 6.05 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM MST | 4,060 | 6.06 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM MST | 4,030 | 6.04 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM MST | 3,990 | 6.01 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM MST | 4,030 | 6.04 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM MST | 3,990 | 6.01 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM MST | 3,970 | 6 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM MST | 4,000 | 6.02 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM MST | 4,020 | 6.03 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM MST | 3,990 | 6.01 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM MST | 3,990 | 6.01 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM MST | 3,960 | 5.99 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 AM MST | 4,020 | 6.03 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM MST | 3,930 | 5.97 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 AM MST | 3,800 | 5.88 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM MST | 2,640 | 5.03 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM MST | 2,630 | 5.02 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 AM MST | 2,670 | 5.05 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 AM MST | 2,670 | 5.05 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 AM MST | 2,640 | 5.03 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 AM MST | 2,610 | 5.01 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 AM MST | 2,580 | 4.98 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 AM MST | 2,540 | 4.95 | 80–203 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 AM MST | 2,530 | 4.94 | 80–203 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM MST | 2,550 | 4.96 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 PM MST | 2,520 | 4.93 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 PM MST | 2,530 | 4.94 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 PM MST | 2,520 | 4.93 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 PM MST | 2,530 | 4.94 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM MST | 2,540 | 4.95 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM MST | 2,630 | 5.02 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM MST | 2,750 | 5.12 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM MST | 2,500 | 4.92 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 PM MST | 2,100 | 4.58 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 PM MST | 2,500 | 4.92 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM MST | 2,480 | 4.9 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 AM MST | 2,500 | 4.92 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 AM MST | 2,500 | 4.92 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 AM MST | 1,590 | 4.11 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 AM MST | 1,500 | 4.02 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 AM MST | 1,500 | 4.02 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 AM MST | 1,500 | 4.02 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 AM MST | 1,500 | 4.02 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 AM MST | 1,490 | 4.01 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 AM MST | 1,490 | 4.01 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 AM MST | 1,490 | 4.01 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM MST | 1,500 | 4.02 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 70–198 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 AM MDT | 1,480 | 4 | 70–198 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 PM MDT | 1,490 | 4.01 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 PM MDT | 1,490 | 4.01 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 PM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 PM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 PM MDT | 1,490 | 4.01 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 PM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 PM MDT | 1,490 | 4.01 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 PM MDT | 1,490 | 4.01 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 PM MDT | 1,480 | 4 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 PM MDT | 1,490 | 4.01 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 PM MDT | 1,490 | 4.01 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 PM MDT | 1,490 | 4.01 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 AM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 AM MDT | 1,490 | 4.01 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 AM MDT | 1,510 | 4.03 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 AM MDT | 1,510 | 4.03 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 AM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 AM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 AM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 AM MDT | 1,490 | 4.01 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 AM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 AM MDT | 1,510 | 4.03 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 AM MDT | 1,510 | 4.03 | 78–193 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 AM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 78–193 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 PM MDT | 1,490 | 4.01 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 PM MDT | 1,490 | 4.01 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 PM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 PM MDT | 1,490 | 4.01 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 PM MDT | 1,510 | 4.03 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 PM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 PM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 PM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 PM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 PM MDT | 1,500 | 4.02 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 PM MDT | 1,510 | 4.03 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 PM MDT | 1,510 | 4.03 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 AM MDT | 1,540 | 4.06 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 AM MDT | 1,740 | 4.26 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 AM MDT | 1,770 | 4.28 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 AM MDT | 1,770 | 4.28 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 AM MDT | 1,760 | 4.27 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM MDT | 1,760 | 4.27 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM MDT | 1,760 | 4.27 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM MDT | 1,760 | 4.27 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 AM MDT | 1,780 | 4.29 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 AM MDT | 1,760 | 4.27 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 AM MDT | 1,780 | 4.29 | 82–202 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 AM MDT | 1,770 | 4.28 | 82–202 |
| Oct 29, 11:30 PM MDT | 1,740 | 4.26 | 79–208 |
| Oct 29, 10:30 PM MDT | 1,770 | 4.28 | 79–208 |
| Oct 29, 9:30 PM MDT | 1,780 | 4.29 | 79–208 |
Map of USGS gauge 08285500 and the river around it
Where RIO CHAMA BELOW EL VADO DAM, NM sits, with 4 other gauges on the same river and our water's map point.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a New Mexico rule: 68°F.
Normal for Nov 5: 81–203 ft³/s (middle half of 56 years of record). Now: 2,610 ft³/s, highest for this date on record.
Highest for this date on record for this date. 2,610 ft³/s is above the highest daily mean recorded on this date of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 56 years of record (1971–2026): 10th 57, 25th 81, median 119, 75th 203, 90th 360 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 20 ft³/s, highest 952 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (+0% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
This gauge is on our page for Rio Chama, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Flow above the record for this date. Higher than any daily mean USGS has recorded on this date at this gauge. Expect much higher, faster water than usual for the season.
hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) Statistics documentation (percentiles of daily mean discharge) (U.S. Geological Survey)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
NWS observation not current. NWS has no current observation at this gauge, so no flood category is shown.
Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:00 PM MST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.