According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Piedra River near Arboles set a record low flow level on Wednesday, Aug. 13, flowing at 7.64 cubic feet per second (cfs).
The low is based on 62 years of water records. The previous record low flow for this date was set in 2018 at a rate of 15.6 cfs, while the record high was set in 1999 at 818 cfs.
The median flow level for this date is 160 cfs, and the mean is 190 cfs.
Also according to the USGS, the San Juan River tied a record low flow on Monday, Aug. 11, when the river was measured at 13 cfs, matching the record low for that date, which was set in 2002.
As of 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, the San Juan River in downtown Pagosa Springs was flowing at a rate of 13.5 cfs, just above the record low of 11 cfs for that date, also set in 2002.
Based on 89 years of water records, the record high for flow for Aug. 13 was set in 1964 at 832 cfs, while the median flow for this date is 134 cfs and the mean is 172 cfs.
Drought
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), as of Aug. 7, all of Archuleta County remains in a drought stage, with 83.6 percent of the county in severe drought and 10.6 percent in extreme drought.
The remainder of the county, primarily the northwestern portion, is in moderate drought.
The USDM also shows that 36 percent of neighboring Conejos County to the east is in extreme drought, primarily along the border with Archuleta County.
Much of the western portion of the state is listed in some drought stage, with the entirety of Rio Blanco and Garfield counties listed as being in extreme drought.
More than 15 counties in the eastern portion of the state are not in any stage of drought.
Forecast
According to the National Weather Service, a red flag warning will be in effect for Pagosa Springs beginning at noon today, Aug. 14, and lasting through 10 p.m.
The high in Pagosa Springs today is forecast at 90 degrees with mostly sunny skies and a chance of thunderstorms and showers between noon and 3 p.m. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent, while the low for tonight is forecast at 47 degrees with a 10 percent chance of showers before 9 p.m.
A fire weather watch is in effect for Pagosa Springs beginning Friday, Aug. 15 at noon and lasting until 10 p.m.
The high for Friday, Aug. 15, is forecast at 87 degrees with showers likely and possible thunderstorms. The chance of precipitation is listed at 60 percent. A low around 46 degrees is expected with mostly cloudy skies and a 50 percent chance of precipitation at night.
Chances of showers and thunderstorms continue on Saturday, Aug. 16, with a high of 84 degrees and a 50 percent chance of precipitation.
Chances of showers and thunderstorms are also in the forecast for Sunday, Aug. 17, with a high of 87 degrees and low of 46 degrees.
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