Nibi Metrics
Real-time water levels, forecasts, and alerts for lakes and rivers across Canada and the US. Built on official government data.
Nibi Metrics turns raw gauge readings from official hydrometric networks into something a person standing on a dock can actually use: is the water high or low for today, which way is it moving, and how unusual is this? This page explains where every number on the platform comes from and what we do to it along the way.
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Abiquiu Reservoir near Abiquiu N Mex Water Level
Live lake level, flow, historical records and forecast for Abiquiu Reservoir near Abiquiu N Mex in NM, United States, built from official government gauge data.
- Location NM, United States
- Watershed rio chama
- Primary gauge 08286900 (USGS)
About Abiquiu Reservoir near Abiquiu N Mex
Abiquiu Reservoir - A vital water body in the Rio Chama watershed.
Abiquiu Reservoir is located near the small village of Abiquiu in northern New Mexico, within the Rio Chama watershed. This lake plays an essential role in the region's hydrology, serving as a significant water source for local ecosystems and human activities alike. Enclosed by the scenic landscapes of northern New Mexico, it is well-known for its historical and cultural significance, shaping both the environment and community around it.
The watershed context
The Abiquiu Reservoir forms part of the expansive Rio Chama watershed, which stretches to encompass a diverse landscape, essential for both downstream ecosystems and irrigation needs. This watershed contributes to a variety of water bodies, including the Rio Chama itself, which flows towards the larger Rio Grande.
One of the main hydrological characteristics of the region is its reliance on high-country snowmelt, which drives spring flows across the major rivers, including the Rio Chama. During the warmer months, the area's fluctuating water levels can be attributed primarily to long dry stretches punctuated by sporadic monsoon storms from July to September. These storms often bring heavy rainfall, sometimes leading to flash floods in the region.
Why the data matters here
Understanding the data from the gauge at Abiquiu Reservoir is crucial for various stakeholders, from local farmers managing irrigation to environmentalists monitoring ecological health. This location's gauge provides insights into water levels, which can inform decisions regarding water usage and conservation practices.
The current reading at the Abiquiu Reservoir is particularly significant when compared against the median for this calendar day across its seven years of record. This comparison, provided by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), allows users to gauge whether the lake is higher or lower than average for this day, giving context to the site's hydrological patterns and helping to predict potential impacts on the surrounding ecology and human activities.
How this page is built
Readings come from official government gauges and are rolled into daily records: the daily mean, high and low for every day on record. Each calendar day gets its own baseline from the full history, so the level you see is compared against what this specific date usually looks like rather than an annual average.
How Nibi Metrics works · Water stories
