River stage
Milner, Elk River
- River level
- 1.86 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.49 ft
- Recent high
- 3.03 ft
- Recent low
- 1.13 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS ENMC2
- 30-day change
- +0.62 ft
- Average
- 1.60 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 10.40 ft
In brief
The Elk River at Milner, CO read 1.86 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 5.14 ft below action stage. That is 0.62 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge ENMC2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10.40 ft | 1917-05-19 |
| 2 | 10.05 ft | 1906-05-29 |
| 3 | 9.90 ft | 1905-06-05 |
| 4 | 9.75 ft | 1904-05-24 |
| 5 | 8.08 ft | 2019-06-21 |
| 6 | 7.95 ft | 2010-06-08 |
| 7 | 7.78 ft | 2023-05-16 |
| 8 | 7.77 ft | 2008-05-22 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 6.00 ft
The Elk River has reached bankfull. Some minor low-land flooding is likely.
- 7.00 ft
Low land flooding is occurring along the reach of the Elk River. Water has reached the foundations of some ranch buildings and homes near the County Road 42 Bridge.
- 7.50 ft
Lower portions of 42 road near the Elk River bridge are starting to flood.
- 7.70 ft
Water is approaching homes on the southside of US40 near the confluence of the East Fork Elk River and the Yampa River.
- 7.90 ft
Backwater flooding is possible due to debris blocking the East Fork Elk River Culverts under US 40.
- 8.00 ft
Water is nearing ranch buildings between County Road 44 and the Elk River.
- 8.30 ft
Moderate flooding is occurring. Water is nearing the base of the private ranch bridge near County Road 42. Water has reached the foundations of several homes along the Elk River above and below US40.
- 9.00 ft
Major flooding is occurring. Water is nearing the base of the 42 Road bridge. Backwater flooding is possible where the East and West Forks of the Elk River pass under US40. Severe bank erosion and scouring is significantly altering the river channel.
- 12.00 ft
Major flooding is occurring. Water is flowing over the County Road 42 bridge and County Road 42 is impassable. Water has reached the base of the US40 bridge.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Elk River flooding at Milner?
No. The Elk River at Milner is at 1.86 ft, 5.14 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Milner?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 7 ft, minor flooding 7.5 ft, moderate flooding 8.5 ft and major flooding 9.5 ft.
What is the highest the Elk River has been at Milner?
The highest crest on record is 10.4 ft, on 1917-05-19.
Is the Elk River high or low right now at Milner?
At 1.86 ft it is higher than 83% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge ENMC2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 09242500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.