San Juan River record high flow

[Trix]

Although I don’t see such big numbers on LPWDB, this IG video claims record highs. We’ll take it.
And considerable rain for NM and CO in the forecast for this week. Lay down some soil moisture before the record snow this winter!

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[JFRCalifornia]

It seems unlikely that's the all-time record for the San Juan, but maybe it is at Shiprock or on that date. Here's the data for the flow at Bluff, and the top 10 flows on record there:

42,500 cfs - 10-14-41
38,300 cfs - 8-12-29
34,700 cfs - 9-6-70
33,800 cfs - 5-14-41
32,600 cfs - 5-15-41
30,200 cfs - 10-15-41
28,300 cfs - 5-16-41
28,000 cfs - 5-13-41
27,100 cfs - 5-5-41
26,700 cfs - 10-19-72

Other big years on the San Juan besides 1941 and 1972 included 1949 and 1957. (That 1970 high water was a one-off flash flood event. A late season stormflow like that in September or October has happened many times.) What about 1983, you ask? Nothing special--it peaked at 8,410 cfs on 6-26-83...

 

[Trix]

Well, it was a nice flash flood thingy. Love JFR and his database!

 

[dallas massie]

Was the 38,300 cfs last year on 8-12?

 

[JFRCalifornia]

Was the 38,300 cfs last year on 8-12?

1929

 

[Shredhook]

Navajo Dam was built for flood control. Last Octobers rain was above the dam so it was held back. This recent rain was below the dam and in Animas drainage.

 

[doc]

Is this massive increase in flow all from recent rains?

 

[Trix]

Is this massive increase in flow all from recent rains?

I think it is recent rain. Very small releases out of Navajo Dam.

 

[Tiff Mapel]

Yes, it rained a ton last week! Finally a slight reprieve from the drought. Here's a snapshot of some rain totals from around the region. More rain coming Weds/Thurs next week!

Tiff