McElmo Creek

Streamflow, conditions and background by watershed segment. Data through November 1, 2026.

Where it is

Segments are the HUC8 watersheds the gauges sit in, numbered upstream to downstream. Use the buttons to switch between the state and the river.

Map of the McElmo Creek in New MexicoNew Mexico, with the McElmo Creek's 1 watershed segment shaded and numbered upstream to downstream, the river and its gauges, and towns near it (Cortez).Beaver CreekCanadian RiverChaco RiverEast Fork Gila RiverGila RiverMimbres RiverPecos RiverRio ChamaRio GrandeRio HondoRio PuercoRio SaladoRio San JoseSalt CreekSan Francisco RiverSan Juan River1. McElmo (HUC 14080202)McElmo CreekAlbuquerqueSanta FeLas CrucesRoswellFarmingtonMcElmo CreekChaco RiverSan Juan River1. McElmo (HUC 14080202)Mud CreekMud CreekMud CreekMcElmo CreekPuett ReservoirCortezMCELMO CREEK NEAR COLORADO-UTAH STATE LINE (McElmo)MCELMO CREEK BELOW CORTEZ, CO. (McElmo)MCELMO CREEK ABOVE ALKALI CANYON, NR CORTEZ, CO. (McElmo)MCELMO CREEK ABOVE TRAIL CANYON NEAR CORTEZ, CO (McElmo)MCELMO CREEK NEAR CORTEZ, CO. (McElmo)1
  • 1McElmo
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About the McElmo Creek

This report follows 68 miles (110 km) of the McElmo Creek, all within the McElmo watershed segment. At the lower end of the report the river drains about 717 square miles. Downstream of the mapped reach it flows into the San Juan River. Named tributaries joining it here include the Mud Creek. Reservoirs on this reach: Puett Reservoir. Largest urban areas near it: Cortez. 5 gauges with at least 26 weeks of daily flow cover 1926 to 2026.

From the archive: NHDPlus river network, WBD watersheds, NHD waterbodies, TIGER urban areas and the report's gauges.

From the headwaters down

Each watershed segment in order, with last week's flow rated against the same week in 1991–2020.

  1. McElmo

    209 cfs last week much above normal.

    Towns: Cortez.

    Water 12.5 °C at Mcelmo Creek Above Trail Canyon Near Cortez, CO. Median conductance 2,190 µS/cm in the 2020s. Rain over the last 3 months: 241% of normal.

Reservoirs

No reservoir with 500 acre-feet or more of storage on this river in the National Inventory of Dams.

Sources

Numbered sources for the statements above, as they were read when the page was prepared.