November 1, 2026 Mid Day Update
Latest Update
Vallecito is now at 107,000-acre feet and just starting to climb and will continue to climb throughout the storm.
Releases are over 1,400 cfs
Inflows are above 1,400 cfs and climbing
Rains arrived at the Vallecito area early this morning and it is forecasted as heavy rain through tonight.
Storm predictions have strengthened once more. The inflows will rise sharply upstream of Vallecito while discharge within channels downstream of the reservoir surges markedly. Both trends are already underway.
There was a Weather Service update at 11:00 that provided additional information, and there will be another later today and tomorrow morning.
PLEASE pay close attention to emergency response information, CDOT, and other warning services. There are many road closures in the area. Red Creek below the dam is running very high. Flows in the Pine (Los Pinos) River system will continue to rise throughout this storm and even after the rain has stopped.
Please continue to use the NOAA websites and other tools available to you to help you understand the intensity and amounts of precipitation in the forecast.
Cold temperatures are still forecast to follow this storm.
The releases will stay the same until more information is gathered. Projected flows below the reservoir in tributaries to the Pine River will continue to increase. As stated above, Vallecito Reservoir will continue to rise in elevation during this storm. Calculations are continuously performed using all the forecast information and show the reservoir topping off about 3 1/2 feet from full and with storage room still available above that level after the peaks have receded. These calculations will continue to be run throughout the storm and well into tomorrow even after the rains have stopped.
River levels in the Town of Ignacio are high; they are being monitored and will be factored into all analysis.
Forecasts throughout the day will give more clarification for all involved.
There are more meetings today with numerous agencies, and we will pass along more information as it becomes available and time permits.
Thanks for your attention as always.
BE SAFE.
County Road 501 is closed below Vallecito, please check La Plata County Alerts for further updates
October 31, 2026: Afternoon Update
Vallecito Reservoir storage is at 107,000 acre-feet (af) and still falling.
Releases are slightly above 1,500 cfs and Inflows are holding around 800 cfs – There was rain at Vallecito last night but currently just mostly cloudy and no rain.
The National Weather Service's update this morning shows a stronger storm through the weekend, particularly from Sunday morning into Monday morning (see below). The current forecast is for snow levels near 11,000 – 12,000 feet but dropping on Monday morning closer to 8,000 feet as cold air comes in behind the storm. Once this storm passes, the weather is mostly clear for the next 10 days.
Vallecito Reservoir’s elevation will continue to drop for the next 24 hours and then begin to rise Monday morning (see below). The forecast peak remains below the highs reached after the last storm. Levels could still exceed the current forecast, and we are preparing for that possibility. We are also preparing for a range of flow contingencies downstream of the reservoir and through the town of Ignacio. The reservoir is expected to have approximately 19,000 acre-feet of available storage when the strongest part of the storm arrives on Sunday.
Flows through the Town of Ignacio remain very high. Water levels below Vallecito Reservoir and through the Town of Ignacio are still below the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ safe channel capacity; however, rain falling below the reservoir on Sunday is expected to raise flows higher. Emergency managers are actively developing contingencies and have well-thought-out plans in place for low-lying areas throughout the weekend. We continue to appreciate their dedicated support
The reservoir releases were reduced this morning down near 1,500 cfs to lessen the flow through Ignacio in preparation for the storm and low elevation rain.
As always, there are more meetings scheduled with emergency management, local modelers, BOR staff, and other participants throughout the ongoing weather event. Their input will help make educated decisions on the releases from the reservoir.
Please see the latest data below and continue to use the Colorado Division of Water Resources streamflow website for the Pine River drainage, and NOAA forecasts along with other useful tools.
Thank you for all your attention to these matters and for all your assistance. It's Greatly Appreciated. Please pay attention to the river flows and emergency alerts to the East and West of us if you are traveling.
