In 2023, the Uncompahgre River reached its annual peak flow above Ridgway Reservoir on June 7 at 1:15 a.m. (and again at 2:15 a.m.). Last year’s peak flow was 930 cubic feet per second (cfs). The year before, the peak flow was reached on May 16 at midnight, and was 619 cfs. In the photo … Read more
A stream like the Uncompahgre River transports many substances as it flows through a variety of geologic, land use, vegetation, and urban areas. The substances include suspended bits of soil and rock, organic material, nutrients, bacteria, and dissolved and undissolved metals. Suspended material, particularly those containing metals like iron, can produce different colors in streams … Read more
Streamflow is the volume of water flowing past a certain point on a waterway at any given time of day. Heavy rains and snowmelt can produce runoff at a rate that exceeds the drainage capacity of streams, which results in flooding. Landslides occur as mass movements of soil and rock that are saturated by excess … Read more
