Shiprock, New Mexico Shatters San Juan River Record at 19.9 Feet as Historic Flood Wave From Pagosa Springs Rolls Toward Utah and Lake Powell
SHIPROCK, NEW MEXICO — The same floodwater that slammed Pagosa Springs, Colorado, over the weekend has pushed the San Juan River to its highest level ever recorded at Shiprock, New Mexico, as a historic flood wave rolls west across the Four Corners.
The river crested at 19.9 feet at Shiprock, more than 5 feet above the previous record set in 2019.
Historic Crests Along the San Juan River, November 2 to 3
Based on USGS provisional data, here is how the flood wave measured up at key points along the river:
| Location | Peak Reading | How It Compares |
|---|---|---|
| Shiprock, New Mexico | 19.9 feet | Highest on record, old record 14.8 feet in 2019 |
| Farmington, New Mexico | 12.2 feet | Just 0.1 foot short of the 1909 record |
| Mexican Hat, Utah | About 254,000 gallons per second | Most water since 1972 |
Shiprock Smashes the 2019 Record by More Than 5 Feet
At Shiprock, the river reached 19.9 feet, easily topping the old record of 14.8 feet from 2019. That makes this the highest level ever measured at the site.
Farmington Comes Within a Tenth of a Foot of 1909 Record
Upstream in Farmington, the river peaked at 12.2 feet, falling just one-tenth of a foot short of a record that has stood since 1909, more than 115 years ago.
Flood Wave Traced Back to Record Rain Upstream
This historic surge began upstream, where the atmospheric river storm dumped heavy rain across the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. In Pagosa Springs, the river had been forecast to approach 20 feet, threatening to break a record dating back to 1911.
That water then flowed downstream through New Mexico, building into the flood wave now moving west.
Water Now Pouring Into Utah
The flood wave is now moving into Utah. At Mexican Hat, the river is carrying about 254,000 gallons of water every second, the most since 1972.
Mexican Hat Expected to Stay Above Flood Stage Through Thursday
Forecasters expect the river at Mexican Hat to remain above flood stage through Thursday, November 5, before the water eventually reaches Lake Powell.
San Juan River Flows West to Lake Powell
The San Juan River runs west from Colorado through northwest New Mexico and southeast Utah, ending at Lake Powell. That path means communities along the river are seeing the flood wave arrive one after another as it travels downstream.
Possible Impacts Along the River
High water levels along the San Juan can lead to:
- Flooding of low-lying homes, farms and roads near the river
- Damage to bridges and riverbank structures
- Erosion along riverbanks
- Dangerous conditions for anyone near the water
River Safety Reminders
- Stay away from riverbanks, which can collapse in high water
- Do not attempt to boat or float on the river during flooding
- Avoid flooded roads and low-water crossings
- Follow local officials for closures and evacuation notices
A Flood Event for the Record Books
With record crests in Shiprock, a near-record in Farmington, and the highest flows in more than 50 years at Mexican Hat, this flood is already one of the most significant in the history of the San Juan River.
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