Update, October 27, 12:53 p.m. CDT: The National Weather Service extended the Rio Chama flood warning below Chamita until further notice. Its 11:53 a.m. MDT statement reported 6.6 feet at 11 a.m., above the 6-foot flood threshold, and forecast a 6.9-foot crest Tuesday afternoon. Forecast levels remain above flood stage through Friday noon. This supersedes the earlier forecast for a fall below flood stage Tuesday morning.

The warning covers Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. NWS identifies possible yard flooding, bank erosion and damage to wells and septic tanks near the river and its junction with the Rio Ojo Caliente.

Earlier Reports — Superseded Forecasts

Update, October 26, 11:39 p.m. CDT: The National Weather Service extended the Rio Chama flood warning below Chamita until Tuesday afternoon. Its 10:39 p.m. MDT bulletin reported 6.4 feet at 10 p.m., above the 6-foot flood threshold, and moved the forecast fall below flood stage to Tuesday morning. The earlier late-Monday-evening forecast is superseded.

Earlier Reports — Superseded Forecasts

Update, October 26, 8:10 p.m. CDT: NWS now forecasts a fall below flood stage late this evening, replacing the afternoon forecast. The river remained at 6.7 feet at 6 p.m. MDT, above the 6-foot flood threshold. The warning continues until late tonight.

Earlier Context — Monday Morning Bulletin

The Rio Chama below Chamita, New Mexico, remained above flood stage Monday morning, October 26, as the National Weather Service continued a warning until late Monday night.

The Albuquerque office’s 9:20 a.m. Mountain bulletin reported a river stage of 6.8 feet at 9 a.m., above the six-foot flood threshold. Its revised forecast calls for a fall below flood stage Monday afternoon, followed by continued declines.

The warning covers Rio Arriba County. At six feet, the agency says properties in the flood plain along the Rio Chama and near its junction with the Rio Ojo Caliente can have water in their yards. Possible effects include bank erosion and damage to wells and septic tanks, with impacts increasing at higher levels.

The agency cautioned against driving through flooded areas or around barricades. The forecast for falling water does not itself cancel the warning.

Previously, Sunday evening’s bulletin reported 7.4 feet below Chamita at 7 p.m. A separate Sunday evening warning concerned the river above Abiquiu; that historical bulletin does not establish the current warning status at that location.

Update, October 26, 11:03 a.m. CDT: Added the Monday 9 a.m. Mountain observation of 6.8 feet and the 9:20 a.m. forecast and warning status, replacing the Sunday evening lead. The original URL and publication date are preserved.

Sources: National Weather Service Albuquerque — October 27, 11:53 a.m. MDT flood statement and earlier reports: https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=pub&wwa=all