River Conditions
Illustrated map of Grand Lake

River stage

Del Norte, Rio Grande

River level
2.46 ft
Status
Below flood stage
Action stage
5.00 ft
Flood stage
5.50 ft
Record crest
6.80 ft

Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS DNRC2

Readings
3730
Record crest
6.80 ft
Flood stage
5.50 ft
Moderate flood
6.50 ft
Major flood
7.50 ft

In brief

The Rio Grande at Del Norte, CO read 2.46 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 2.54 ft below action stage.

Source: National Weather Service gauge DNRC2

Stage threshold profile

Action stage 5.00 ftMinor flooding 5.50 ftModerate flooding 6.50 ftMajor flooding 7.50 ft CURRENT 2.46 ft

Highest crests on record

RankCrestDate
1 6.80 ft 1911-10-05
2 6.40 ft 1927-06-29
3 6.16 ft 1949-06-19
4 6.10 ft 1921-06-13
5 5.91 ft 1985-06-09
6 5.81 ft 1948-05-22
7 5.80 ft 1917-06-15
8 5.69 ft 2019-06-12

Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.

What happens at each level

  1. 5.00 ft

    Action Stage. The river is bankfull near Del Norte. Minor inundation of low lying areas around RV campground occurs.

  2. 5.50 ft

    Minor Flood. The Del Norte Riverwalk Trail floods.

  3. 6.00 ft

    Minor Flood. Considerable agricultural flooding occurs.

  4. 6.50 ft

    Moderate Flood. Water flows over low spots in Hanna Lane Road west of Del Norte. Water threatens homes and RV park near Del Norte Park in Del Norte. Homes near First Street and the Oak Street Bridge on Colorado Highway 112 are threatened by high water.

  5. 7.00 ft

    Moderate Flood. Water flows into farm properties and homes west of Del Norte. Serious lowland and meadow flooding occurs.

  6. 7.50 ft

    Major Flood. Water reaches base of Twin Mountain Bridge on Hanna Lane Road west of Del Norte.

  7. 8.00 ft

    Major Flood. Serious flooding inundates homes near Del Norte Park. Water flows into lumber yard and warehouses 2 miles east of Del Norte. Water threatens the approaches to the Twin Mountain Bridge on Hanna Lane Road.

  8. 11.00 ft

    Major Flood. Flood waters reach base of bridge at 7 Mile Plaza. Serious residential and commercial flooding occurs

  9. 13.00 ft

    Major Flood. Water reaches base of Highway 112 Bridge in Del Norte. Serious residential and commercial flooding occurs.

  10. 13.50 ft

    Major Flood. Water flows over Twin Mountain Bridge on Hanna Lane Road west of Del Norte.

Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Rio Grande flooding at Del Norte?

No. The Rio Grande at Del Norte is at 2.46 ft, 2.54 ft below action stage.

What is the flood stage at Del Norte?

The National Weather Service sets action stage 5 ft, minor flooding 5.5 ft, moderate flooding 6.5 ft and major flooding 7.5 ft.

What is the highest the Rio Grande has been at Del Norte?

The highest crest on record is 6.8 ft, on 1911-10-05.

Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge DNRC2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 08220000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.