River stage
Lamar, Arkansas River
- River level
- 5.58 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.43 ft
- Recent high
- 11.02 ft
- Recent low
- 5.33 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS LMAC2
- 30-day change
- -0.54 ft
- Average
- 5.75 ft
- Readings
- 115
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 13.06 ft
In brief
The Arkansas River at Lamar, CO read 5.58 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 3.42 ft below action stage. That is 0.54 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge LMAC2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13.06 ft | 1996-05-27 |
| 2 | 12.79 ft | 1997-08-12 |
| 3 | 12.47 ft | 1998-07-31 |
| 4 | 11.41 ft | 2014-07-30 |
| 5 | 11.13 ft | 2023-07-22 |
| 6 | 11.11 ft | 1999-06-07 |
| 7 | 11.09 ft | 1995-06-04 |
| 8 | 11.01 ft | 2018-07-26 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 9.00 ft
Minor overbank flow into low spots along the river occurs near Lamar.
- 10.00 ft
The river is bankfull. Minor overbank flow into lowlands along the river occurs near Lamar. Water flows into low lying meadows near County Road 13.
- 11.00 ft
Minor lowland agricultural flooding occurs near Lamar.
- 13.00 ft
Moderate lowland agricultural flooding occurs near Lamar.
- 15.00 ft
Major agricultural flooding occurs. Lowlands are completely inundated. Waters begin to threaten North Gateway Park southeast of the Highway 50 bridge.
- 17.00 ft
Flood waters reach the parking areas near the Ace Tire operation on the northeast side of the Highway 287 Bridge.
- 18.00 ft
Flood waters threaten the All Rite Paving and Redi Mix operation on the northwest side of the Highway 287 Bridge.
- 19.00 ft
Flood waters inundate the industrial park on the north side of Lamar. Multiple businesses are impacted. Flood waters threaten The Days Inn, The Cow Palace, Ranchers Supply Company and Opals Pub. Gravel and paving operations and North Gateway Park near the Highway 287 Bridge are inundated.
- 25.00 ft
Major flooding occurs in Lamar. Multiple homes and businesses are impacted. Water reaches the base of the Highway 287 Bridge.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Arkansas River flooding at Lamar?
No. The Arkansas River at Lamar is at 5.58 ft, 3.42 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Lamar?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 9 ft, minor flooding 11 ft, moderate flooding 13 ft and major flooding 15 ft.
What is the highest the Arkansas River has been at Lamar?
The highest crest on record is 13.06 ft, on 1996-05-27.
Is the Arkansas River high or low right now at Lamar?
At 5.58 ft it is higher than 35% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge LMAC2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 07133000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.