SAN JUAN RIVER AT PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO
USGS 09342500 · Colorado · reports discharge (live), gauge height
USGS 09342500 · Colorado · 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, 9:00 PM MST · provisional USGS data
Highest for this date on record for Nov 5 Falling · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 159 readings from Oct 29, 10:00 PM MDT to Nov 5, 9:00 PM MST; ranging 785 to 11,100 ft³/s; latest 1,330 ft³/s; 1 gap in the record; 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, 9:00 PM MST | 1,330 | 7.06 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 PM MST | 1,410 | 7.16 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 PM MST | 1,380 | 7.12 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 PM MST | 1,450 | 7.2 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM MST | 1,400 | 7.15 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM MST | 1,420 | 7.17 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST | 1,460 | 7.22 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM MST | 1,470 | 7.23 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM MST | 1,510 | 7.28 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM MST | 1,550 | 7.32 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM MST | 1,520 | 7.29 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM MST | 1,590 | 7.37 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM MST | 1,540 | 7.31 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM MST | 1,770 | 7.59 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM MST | 1,630 | 7.42 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM MST | 1,750 | 7.56 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM MST | 1,800 | 7.62 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM MST | 1,780 | 7.6 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM MST | 1,810 | 7.63 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM MST | 1,860 | 7.69 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM MST | 1,800 | 7.62 | 59–143 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM MST | 1,920 | 7.76 | 59–143 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM MST | 1,960 | 7.81 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM MST | 1,950 | 7.79 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM MST | 2,040 | 7.9 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM MST | 1,930 | 7.77 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM MST | 2,090 | 7.96 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM MST | 2,060 | 7.92 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM MST | 2,080 | 7.94 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM MST | 2,190 | 8.07 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM MST | 2,200 | 8.08 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM MST | 2,290 | 8.18 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM MST | 2,270 | 8.16 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM MST | 2,270 | 8.16 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM MST | 2,260 | 8.15 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM MST | 2,320 | 8.22 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM MST | 2,420 | 8.33 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM MST | 2,500 | 8.41 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM MST | 2,620 | 8.55 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM MST | 2,590 | 8.52 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM MST | 2,610 | 8.54 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM MST | 2,730 | 8.67 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM MST | 2,760 | 8.7 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM MST | 2,760 | 8.7 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM MST | 2,890 | 8.84 | 60–141 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM MST | 2,880 | 8.83 | 60–141 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM MST | 3,030 | 8.99 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM MST | 3,050 | 9.02 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM MST | 3,100 | 9.07 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM MST | 3,090 | 9.06 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM MST | 3,130 | 9.1 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM MST | 3,270 | 9.25 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM MST | 3,260 | 9.24 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM MST | 3,150 | 9.12 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM MST | 3,320 | 9.3 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM MST | 3,300 | 9.28 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM MST | 3,400 | 9.39 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM MST | 3,490 | 9.48 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM MST | 3,530 | 9.52 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM MST | 3,710 | 9.71 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM MST | 3,700 | 9.7 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM MST | 3,840 | 9.85 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM MST | 3,950 | 9.96 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM MST | 4,010 | 10 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM MST | 4,120 | 10.1 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM MST | 4,230 | 10.3 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM MST | 4,310 | 10.3 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM MST | 4,390 | 10.4 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM MST | 4,630 | 10.7 | 60–147 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM MST | 4,710 | 10.7 | 60–147 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM MST | 4,810 | 10.8 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM MST | 4,930 | 11 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM MST | 5,140 | 11.2 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM MST | 5,200 | 11.2 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM MST | 5,680 | 11.7 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM MST | 5,720 | 11.7 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM MST | 5,820 | 11.8 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM MST | 5,970 | 12 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM MST | 6,250 | 12.3 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM MST | 6,440 | 12.4 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM MST | 6,640 | 12.6 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM MST | 6,670 | 12.7 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM MST | 7,200 | 13.2 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM MST | 7,530 | 13.5 | 59–150 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM MST | 7,590 | 13.5 | 59–150 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM MST | 10,400 | 16 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM MST | 10,700 | 16.3 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM MST | 11,100 | 16.7 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM MST | 10,700 | 16.3 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM MST | 9,410 | 15.2 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM MST | 7,750 | 13.7 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM MST | 6,490 | 12.5 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 PM MST | 4,850 | 10.9 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 PM MST | 4,100 | 10.1 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 PM MST | 3,680 | 9.68 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 AM MST | 3,210 | 9.19 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 AM MST | 2,660 | 8.59 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 AM MST | 2,160 | 8.03 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 AM MST | 1,690 | 7.49 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 AM MST | 1,400 | 7.14 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 AM MST | 1,140 | 6.82 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 AM MST | 987 | 6.63 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM MST | 932 | 6.56 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 AM MST | 909 | 6.53 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 AM MST | 925 | 6.55 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM MST | 909 | 6.53 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM MDT | 925 | 6.55 | 59–151 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 AM MDT | 963 | 6.6 | 59–151 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 PM MDT | 963 | 6.6 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 PM MDT | 979 | 6.62 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 PM MDT | 956 | 6.59 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 PM MDT | 971 | 6.61 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 PM MDT | 956 | 6.59 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM MDT | 963 | 6.6 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 PM MDT | 979 | 6.62 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 PM MDT | 963 | 6.6 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 PM MDT | 1,030 | 6.68 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 PM MDT | 1,020 | 6.67 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 PM MDT | 1,040 | 6.7 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 PM MDT | 1,070 | 6.74 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 AM MDT | 1,100 | 6.78 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 AM MDT | 1,180 | 6.88 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 AM MDT | 1,240 | 6.95 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 AM MDT | 1,310 | 7.04 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 AM MDT | 1,380 | 7.12 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 AM MDT | 1,400 | 7.14 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 AM MDT | 1,300 | 7.02 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 AM MDT | 1,130 | 6.81 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 AM MDT | 971 | 6.61 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 AM MDT | 863 | 6.47 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 AM MDT | 833 | 6.43 | 59–154 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 AM MDT | 810 | 6.4 | 59–154 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 PM MDT | 797 | 6.38 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 PM MDT | 793 | 6.37 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 PM MDT | 793 | 6.37 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 PM MDT | 789 | 6.36 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 PM MDT | 785 | 6.35 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 PM MDT | 785 | 6.35 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 PM MDT | 802 | 6.39 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 PM MDT | 797 | 6.38 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 PM MDT | 797 | 6.38 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 PM MDT | 825 | 6.42 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 PM MDT | 810 | 6.4 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 PM MDT | 818 | 6.41 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 AM MDT | 818 | 6.41 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 AM MDT | 818 | 6.41 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 AM MDT | 848 | 6.45 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 AM MDT | 886 | 6.5 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 AM MDT | 894 | 6.51 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 AM MDT | 909 | 6.53 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 AM MDT | 901 | 6.52 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 AM MDT | 925 | 6.55 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 AM MDT | 940 | 6.57 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 AM MDT | 925 | 6.55 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 AM MDT | 971 | 6.61 | 58–165 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 AM MDT | 963 | 6.6 | 58–165 |
| Oct 29, 11:15 PM MDT | 963 | 6.6 | 57–162 |
| Oct 29, 10:15 PM MDT | 979 | 6.62 | 57–162 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM MDT | 995 | 6.64 | 57–162 |
Map of USGS gauge 09342500 and the river around it
Where SAN JUAN RIVER AT PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO sits, with 3 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: the trout lines Colorado Parks and Wildlife uses are 71°F.
Normal for Nov 5: 59–143 ft³/s (middle half of 90 years of record). Now: 1,330 ft³/s, highest for this date on record.
Highest for this date on record for this date. 1,330 ft³/s is above the highest daily mean recorded on this date of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 90 years of record (1936–2025): 10th 42, 25th 59, median 84, 75th 143, 90th 196 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 25 ft³/s, highest 521 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).
Falling over 24 hours: discharge down 34.8%, from 2,040 to 1,330 ft³/s. 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 San Juan River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)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.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 7.16 ft stage, 1,410 ft³/s at Nov 5, 8:00 PM MST (NWS gauge PSPC2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 9:11 AM MST. Highest point: 7.56 ft, 1,750 ft³/s on Nov 5, 6:00 AM MST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 7.56 ft | 1,750 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 7.25 ft | 1,490 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 6.93 ft | 1,220 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 6.71 ft | 1,050 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 6.55 ft | 923 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 6.41 ft | 817 ft³/s |
| Wed, Nov 11 | 6.14 ft | 700 ft³/s |
| Thu, Nov 12 | 5.93 ft | 619 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:18 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.