Rio Chama above Abiquiu Reservoir, NM

Gauge details

State

New Mexico

Drainage area

1,600 sq mi

Gauge elevation

6,280 ft

Subbasin (HUC-8)

13020102

Coordinates

36.31882, -106.59953

USGS site number

08286500

Records begin

1961-08-01 (65 years)

Rivermatics forecast

14-day flow outlook

14-day flow forecast

Based on observations through September 16 for Rio Chama above Abiquiu Reservoir, NM. Each day carries a median estimate and the band the model expects the flow to fall within — not a single number to plan against. Forecasts are re-issued daily; see the live screen for the current outlook.

All values in cubic feet per second (cfs). Estimates only — do not use them for navigation or for any safety, rescue, or emergency decision.

Typical flow by month

Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 55 years of data), averaged within each month. These describe the historical normal range — they are not a forecast and not today's reading.

All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).

Common questions

When does Rio Chama above Abiquiu Reservoir, NM normally run highest?

May, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 1,066.4 cfs, against 111.3 cfs in January, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.

What is a normal flow for Rio Chama above Abiquiu Reservoir, NM?

It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 111.3 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 36.5 and 254.5 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.

How long has Rio Chama above Abiquiu Reservoir, NM been measured?

Discharge records at USGS site 08286500 begin in 1961, about 65 years, covering roughly 9,075 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.

Is there a flow forecast for Rio Chama above Abiquiu Reservoir, NM?

Yes. Rivermatics trains a machine-learned model — a temporal-fusion transformer — on this basin's observed flows, weather, and snowpack, and issues a daily flow outlook reaching 14 days ahead: a median estimate inside a confidence band, not a single number to bet on. Every forecast is scored against days the model never trained on, and that track record is published on the live gauge screen. Open live conditions to see the current outlook.

Where is Rio Chama above Abiquiu Reservoir, NM?

The gauge sits at 36.31882, -106.59953, in New Mexico, in hydrologic subbasin 13020102, at an elevation of about 6,280 feet, draining roughly 1,600 square miles.

Can I use Rio Chama above Abiquiu Reservoir, NM data for flood or safety decisions?

No. Rivermatics provides estimates, not guarantees, and the readings and forecasts here may be delayed, inaccurate, or wrong. Do not use them for navigation or for any safety, rescue, or emergency decision. Check the National Weather Service and USGS directly, and use your own judgment.

Upstream and downstream on the Rio Chama

Every gauge Rivermatics tracks on this river, ordered by drainage area — upstream first. See the Rio Chama in full.

• Rio Chama above Chama, NM 95 sq mi
• Rio Chama near La Puente, NM 480 sq mi
• Rio Chama below El Vado Dam, NM 877 sq mi
• Rio Chama above Abiquiu Reservoir, NM this page
• Rio Chama below Abiquiu Dam, NM 2,147 sq mi
• Rio Chama near Chamita, NM 3,144 sq mi

Other gauges in this subbasin

• Rio Chama below Abiquiu Dam, NM
• Rio Ojo Caliente at La Madera, NM
• Rio Chama near Chamita, NM
• Rio Chama above Chama, NM
• Rio Brazos at Fishtail Road near Tierra Amarilla, NM
• Rio Chama near La Puente, NM
• Rio Chama below El Vado Dam, NM