Rivermatics

2 USGS Streamgages · Rio Grande system

Red River flows and levels

Red River is gauged at 2 USGS streamgages in New Mexico, each tracked by Rivermatics. The mainstem runs about 32 miles (52 km) from headwaters to outlet. It drains into the Rio Grande system. Drainage area at the gauges ranges from 113 square miles at Red River near Questa, NM up to 185 at Red River below Fish Hatchery, near Questa, NM. The gauged reach falls about 383 feet, from 7,456 feet down to 7,074. Rivermatics issues a daily machine-learned 14-day flow outlook for every one of them.

Gauges on this river, upstream to downstream

Ordered by drainage area, which is how far down the river each gauge sits. April and July figures are long-term median daily flows for that month from the USGS record — historical normals, not a forecast and not today's reading.

USGS streamgages on this river, ordered upstream to downstream
Gauge State Drainage sq mi Elevation ft April p50 cfs July p50 cfs Forecast
Red River near Questa, NM NM 113 7,456 34.5 47.8 14-day
Red River below Fish Hatchery, near Questa, NM NM 185 7,074 65.8 77.8 14-day

Typical flow by month at Red River below Fish Hatchery, near Questa, NM

The furthest-downstream gauge on this river, so the fullest flow it carries here. Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 48 years of data), averaged within each month. These describe the historical normal range — they are not a forecast and not today's reading.

Historical monthly discharge percentiles in cubic feet per second
Month Low p10 Typical p50 High p90 Range
January 31 41 51.4
February 33.2 41.6 50.5
March 35.2 43.6 60.1
April 41.3 65.8 125.8
May 51.4 139 321.8
June 47.6 141.7 312.8
July 40.5 77.8 139.9
August 35 61.7 89.9
September 34.3 52.4 79
October 35.3 49.2 67.9
November 34.4 44.7 58.7
December 31 41.1 51.8

All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).

Common questions

When does the Red River run highest?
June, on the long-term record at Red River below Fish Hatchery, near Questa, NM — the furthest-downstream gauge Rivermatics tracks on this river. Median daily flow there is about 141.7 cfs that month, against 41 cfs in January, the lowest. Upstream gauges peak on their own schedule; the table on this page gives April and July for each.
How many gauges are on the Red River?
Rivermatics tracks 2 USGS streamgages on the Red River, across New Mexico. Each has its own page with the site's full flow record and monthly normals. The river may carry other gauges that publish neither daily values nor discharge statistics; those are not tracked here.
Is there a flow forecast for the Red River?
Yes, at 2 of the 2 gauges. Rivermatics trains a machine-learned model — a temporal-fusion transformer — on each basin's observed flows, weather and snowpack, and issues a daily 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 each gauge's live screen.
What river system is the Red River part of?
The Red River drains into the Rio Grande system — it is a tributary somewhere in that chain, following the flowpath down to its terminal river. Rivermatics builds this from the USGS/geoconnex reference-mainstem network rather than from names.
Can I use Red River 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.

Other rivers in the Rio Grande system

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