River stage
Taos, Rio Grande
- River level
- 3.54 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.14 ft
- Recent high
- 3.91 ft
- Recent low
- 3.39 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS TJBN5
- 30-day change
- +0.12 ft
- Average
- 3.46 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 9.41 ft
In brief
The Rio Grande at Taos, NM read 3.54 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 5.46 ft below action stage. That is 0.12 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge TJBN5
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9.41 ft | 1941-05-17 |
| 2 | 9.23 ft | 1949-06-22 |
| 3 | 9.18 ft | 1948-06-07 |
| 4 | 8.92 ft | 1987-05-19 |
| 5 | 8.80 ft | 1952-05-08 |
| 6 | 8.75 ft | 1942-05-13 |
| 7 | 8.74 ft | 1995-07-06 |
| 8 | 8.69 ft | 1985-06-14 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 9.00 ft
A few low spots along state road 570 above Pilar along the Rio Grande will have up to six inches of ponded water on the roadway. Some of the day use recreation areas above Pilar between state road 570 and the Rio Grande will begin to flood.
- 10.00 ft
Portions of state road 570 from above Pilar up to the Taos Junction bridge are inundated by one to two feet of water. Water levels have not been this high in the Pilar region since at least 1921. Rafting takeout points below the Taos Junction bridge along state road 570 may no longer be accessable.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rio Grande flooding at Taos?
No. The Rio Grande at Taos is at 3.54 ft, 5.46 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Taos?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 9 ft, minor flooding 10 ft, moderate flooding 12 ft and major flooding 15 ft.
What is the highest the Rio Grande has been at Taos?
The highest crest on record is 9.41 ft, on 1941-05-17.
Is the Rio Grande high or low right now at Taos?
At 3.54 ft it is higher than 89% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge TJBN5); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 08276500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.