Novmbr 8, 2026 Update
The reservoir is dropping and has dropped almost ¾ of a foot since 01:00 am on Nov 5th. That is approaching 2,000 acre feet less in the reservoir. The drop will continue until the reservoir is at a good place for the wintertime and the downstream entities.
Releases are still near 1,750 cfs and will drop below 1,400 cfs tomorrow evening.
Please follow the information put out from PRID and the BOR and emergency management. There is some miss information out there currently.
The releases from Vallecito were never above 1,950 cfs. That release was between the 2 large storms when space in the reservoir was being made in the reservoir. Those releases were reduced to 1,400 cfs before the last storm arrived and kept until the really intense low-level rains came and then inflows up and down the Pine River skyrocketed. Another 700 cfs was cut on the releases to help alleviate flooding downstream during the last rain event. The river gages below the reservoir were overwhelmed and gave false readings at different times throughout the last rain event. Those data sets were confusing but still provided information during the storms. I do not believe the flows below Vallecito Reservoir will ever be calculated with great confidence but will be evaluated in the after-action process. The gage at La Boca went to over 5,000 cfs during the first big rain and near 8,000 cfs during the last rain event. Those flows will be evaluated as well. Those large numbers were generated from below the Reservoir to the state line with New Mexico. Inflows above Vallecito went near 7,500 cfs during each large rain event. The total flows on the Pine River may have approaced over 15,000 cfs during the last storm.
Here is a link to the La Plata County Emergency Flood webpage for those looking for more information.
https://www.lpcgov.org/departments/emergency_management/2026_flood/index.php
Please follow those recommendations and instructions and there are entities there that have the skills and procedures if assistance is needed.