Rivermatics

6 USGS Streamgages · Rio Grande system

Rio Chama flows and levels

Rio Chama is gauged at 6 USGS streamgages in New Mexico, each tracked by Rivermatics. The mainstem runs about 131 miles (211 km) from headwaters to outlet. It drains into the Rio Grande system. Drainage area at the gauges ranges from 95 square miles at Rio Chama above Chama, NM up to 3,144 at Rio Chama near Chamita, NM. The gauged reach falls about 2,367 feet, from 8,024 feet down to 5,657. 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
Rio Chama above Chama, NM NM 95 8,024 227.8 60.5 14-day
Rio Chama near La Puente, NM NM 480 7,083 688.9 73.3 14-day
Rio Chama below El Vado Dam, NM NM 877 6,696 516.3 433.1 14-day
Rio Chama above Abiquiu Reservoir, NM NM 1,600 6,280 536.3 452.5 14-day
Rio Chama below Abiquiu Dam, NM NM 2,147 6,043 632.2 501.3 14-day
Rio Chama near Chamita, NM NM 3,144 5,657 713.1 514.9 14-day

Typical flow by month at Rio Chama near Chamita, 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 51 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 64.3 116.1 332.5
February 68 123.9 393.4
March 89.4 265.5 974.4
April 264.7 713.1 2,104.7
May 348.4 1,297.7 2,563.2
June 179.2 889.1 1,931.7
July 130.4 514.9 1,209
August 97.4 487.3 894.5
September 83.1 408.8 804.8
October 70.2 214 628.1
November 65.4 152.8 773.3
December 71.6 182 770.9

All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).

Common questions

When does the Rio Chama run highest?
May, on the long-term record at Rio Chama near Chamita, NM — the furthest-downstream gauge Rivermatics tracks on this river. Median daily flow there is about 1,297.7 cfs that month, against 116.1 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 Rio Chama?
Rivermatics tracks 6 USGS streamgages on the Rio Chama, 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 Rio Chama?
Yes, at 6 of the 6 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 Rio Chama part of?
The Rio Chama 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 Rio Chama 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

Browse nearby gauges by state